Photo: Courtesy of Newton Teachers Association
NEWTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Contract negotiations between the Newton Teachers Association and the School Committee stalled Sunday, representatives from both sides said.
Newton teachers have been on strike since Friday, Jan. 19. More than 22 schools in the district remain closed as the union negotiates for higher wages, expanded elementary school prep time, more paternal leave, and other stipulations.
The NTA said Sunday afternoon it was "deeply disappointed" that the School Committee rejected a package proposal that would have reopened schools on Monday. According to NTA leadership, their proposal included a living wage for aides and behavioral therapists, as well as a social worker in each building. It also included compromises such as phasing in salary increases.
"The NTA presented reasonable, affordable and necessary proposals rooted in honest and fair compromise," the union said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "The NTA bargaining team made clear that the offer presented today would accomplish two things – address the concerns raised by the School Committee with previous proposals and would meet the threshold of what will ratify with the members of the NTA. School Committee Chair Chris Brezski, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Superintendent Anna Nolin had an opportunity to end this strike. They failed to seize that opportunity."
The union said its members will return to the picket line on Monday, but the district has not confirmed if schools will be closed for a sixth day.
In a statement, the School Committee said, "The NTA’s revised proposal showed progress but was neither affordable nor sustainable. Accepting it wholesale would have required a reduction in force of more than 70 valued educators and support staff throughout the life of the contract."
The School Committee said it presented a counter-proposal, which included "increases to COLA, agreement on parental leave, increases to the wages of all paraprofessionals, and a commitment by the superintendent to increase the number of social workers across the district, as well as a revised transition to offset increases to health insurance coverage."
"The NTA bargaining team stated their package proposal 'was take it or leave it,' and walked out of the room without any discussion or negotiation," the School Committee said. "This was not bargaining in good faith."
The teachers union is facing $375,000 in court-imposed fines because of the strike. If a deal is not reached by 8 p.m. Sunday, the union will be fined another $50,000.
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