Parents increasingly frustrated with Boston area teachers’ nearly two-week illegal strike

Parents in Boston Area Frustrated ‌with Teachers Union Strike

Parents ⁤near Boston are growing increasingly frustrated with the ⁤local teachers union, which⁢ has been on‍ strike for nearly two weeks, keeping their children‍ out‍ of classrooms.

Public school teachers in ⁢Newton, ​just west of Boston, have been engaging ⁤in an illegal‍ strike for⁣ 10 ‍days as of Thursday. The union responsible, the Newton Teachers Association, is affiliated with the National ‍Education Association.

Massachusetts ‍law explicitly prohibits public school teachers from striking, and the union has ⁣already accumulated fines totaling at least $525,000.

Amidst the strike, two families ⁢with children in Newton schools have filed lawsuits against the union. One couple claims that their daughter, ‍who has a learning disability,‍ is experiencing​ emotional distress from being out of the ‍classroom.

The ‌other⁢ lawsuit was filed by a mother who asserts that her ‍10th-grader is facing setbacks this year,​ and missing regular assistance⁤ in reading,⁢ writing, and⁤ math could potentially jeopardize her ⁤chances‍ of college acceptance. The mother ‌also ‍mentioned that her children have missed part ​of the hockey season and activities with the ski team club.

A concerned ​father of two middle and high ⁣school students expressed to⁤ WBUR, “we feel‍ like our ⁢children are suffering significant harm as a result of an illegal strike and the law is in place for a reason.” He added that ‌he and his wife cannot afford to ‌stay home from work.

However,‌ there are some parents who have‍ expressed‍ support for the teachers, with one mother stating that she stands with the educators ⁤“ten-thousand ​percent.”

The teachers union is demanding⁢ various⁤ improvements, including higher pay, smaller class sizes, more social ⁢workers in schools, and ⁤a​ 12-week parental leave policy.

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On Tuesday, the school district⁣ proposed a⁤ pay increase from $62,000 salaries to ⁣over⁢ $81,000‌ by​ 2027 for certain teachers. The‍ average teacher salary‍ in ⁢Newton is approximately $93,000, based on data from the 2020 ⁤school year.

Earlier in the week,⁣ the⁣ Newton City Council urged‍ the teachers to accept a new salary contract and put an end to the strike.

“This strike must come ⁤to an end. We need​ to get our children ‍back in ⁢the classroom, and we need to do it now,” emphasized City Council President Marc Laredo during a press conference on Tuesday, highlighting​ the​ suffering of the children.

“It makes me‍ question⁤ whether the‍ union truly desires a‌ resolution,” stated Newton School Committee Chair‍ Christopher Brezski at a separate press conference. “It makes me question the true motives behind this⁢ strike.‍ Is it ‍genuinely about the well-being of Newton’s students and teachers? Or is it about money? Or‍ perhaps there is a larger agenda at ⁤play, ⁢where our children are being used as⁣ pawns?”

The ⁢Newton school district has ⁣an enrollment of 12,000 students across more‍ than ‍20 schools.

What ⁢are the potential long-term consequences for students who are missing⁤ instructional time ⁢and support during the strike?

Including higher wages, smaller class sizes, and increased funding for special education programs. They argue that these issues ​are crucial for providing a​ quality education ⁣for all students.

The strike has caused a significant disruption to the ⁢education of thousands of children‌ in the Newton school district. Parents are frustrated and concerned ⁤about the ⁤impact this will have on their children’s ​academic progress and future prospects. They worry that the⁣ missed instruction ⁣time and lack of support will put their children at a disadvantage when it comes to college applications and opportunities.

The teachers union, on the other hand, ⁣argues that the strike is necessary to bring attention to the systemic issues facing the education system. They believe that their demands ‍are justified⁢ and that the current conditions are not conducive to effective ‍teaching and learning.

The situation has become a contentious​ battle between the teachers union, the school district, and the parents. While some parents support the teachers and their cause, many are growing increasingly frustrated with‍ the union’s actions. They believe that ‍their children’s education should not be sacrificed for ⁣the sake of a labor dispute.

The strike has also brought‍ attention to the larger issue of teacher strikes and ⁣their legality. In Massachusetts, public school teachers‌ are explicitly prohibited from ⁤going on strike. The fact that the Newton Teachers Association ​has defied⁤ this law and continued their strike despite⁤ accumulating significant fines ​raises questions about accountability and consequences for ​such actions.

Parents⁣ are calling ⁤on the school district and the union to find a resolution that will put an end‍ to the strike ‍and ensure the education of their children. ⁤They‍ are urging all parties involved to come to the negotiating table and find a compromise⁢ that ‌meets ⁢the needs of both teachers and students.

In the meantime, parents are faced with the challenge of finding alternative arrangements for their ​children’s education while ⁢the strike continues. Some⁣ have opted to hire tutors or find online resources ⁣to supplement their children’s learning, but this is not a sustainable solution for the long⁢ term.

As the strike enters its‍ third week,⁤ tensions continue to rise and the frustration among parents in the Boston area grows. They are desperate for a resolution that will ⁤allow‍ their children to return to the classroom and receive the⁣ education they ⁤deserve. The ongoing⁢ strike​ serves as a reminder of the importance ⁢of ⁣effective communication, collaboration, ‍and compromise in addressing the needs of both ‌teachers and students in our education⁣ system.