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BROOKLINE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — With the Brookline Educators Union overwhelmingly voting to approve a strike on Monday, the Town's School Committee says they're looking to avoid that outcome and offer a counterproposal before the weekend is through.
According to the BEU, teachers have been working without a contract for nearly three years that addresses "fair and reasonable compensation as well as working conditions that meet the realities of a modern, comprehensive education." The BEU went on to insist that any agreement with the Brookline School Committee must include the time educators must prepare for their work and collaborate with colleagues, and an emphasizes on retaining and attracting educators of color for the district.
"The fact that the School Committee deems these concerns unworthy of discussion demonstrates a disheartening disregard for educators," the BEU said in a statement.
The BEU also announced that they would be holding a rally outside Brookline Town Hall Saturday morning.
The BSC says they met for several hours on Thursday, discussing the union's counteroffer that they received on Tuesday. Officials say it was during that meeting they learned that the BEU had voted to strike on Monday if no agreement is reached before then.
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Chair of the BSC David Pearlman said in a statement that the committee will meet with the BEU Saturday and Monday night for mediation, and that the Superintendent and officials are preparing contingency plans should the teachers strike at the beginning of the school week.
WBZ's Charlie Bergeron (@CharlieBergeron) reports.
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