(Jim MacKay/WBZ NewsRadio)
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Dedham Teachers' Union has voted to go strike, cancelling school in the town for Friday.
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reported the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of going on strike, 258-2.
Several issues are being debated between the union and the town, including health insurance, as well as policies on students using cell phones and protection from sexual harassment.
Teachers started their year with no contract, and negotiations have continued until now.
The strike presents some legal issues, since teacher strikes are technically illegal per public employee guidelines in the state. The school committee has reached out to the Department of Labor Relations to intervene.
It's the first teacher strike in Massachusetts since Quincy teachers walked off the job in 2007.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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