Rally outside Newton City Hall last week. Photo: Courtesy of the Newton Teachers Association
NEWTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Classes were cancelled in Newton on Monday after the teacher’s union and school committee did not reach an agreement over the weekend on demands for better pay and a living wage for teachers and teaching assistants.
This comes after a weekend of protests by Newton educators outside City Hall in which many held signs that read "Newton Educators on Strike," "Fair Contract Now," and “Support Newton Educators for Better Schools."
Read More: Newton Teachers, Supporters Rally at Newton City Hall on Day 3 Of Strike
Teachers in Newton have been working without a contract since the start of the new year. The Newton Teachers Association and the Newton School Committee have been at a standstill over a new contract since October 2022.
According to Massachusetts law, teacher strikes are illegal and on Friday, a Middlesex Superior Court judge ruled that teachers had until 3 p.m. Sunday to cancel the strike, or else face thousands of dollars in fines. However, this did not deter teachers, who will persist until they reach an agreement with the school committee.
A statement from Newton Public Schools says, “all school-related events and activities will be postponed until the strike ends.”
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok