Photo: Courtesy of the Newton Teachers Association
NEWTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Newton Teachers Association voted overwhelmingly to strike Thursday evening, the union said.
Union president Michael Zilles said 98 percent of Newton educators—roughly 1,650 teachers—voted yes on the strike. As a result, Newton Public Schools were closed on Friday, and are expected to remain closed until the strike is over.
The strike is the latest chapter in the lengthy battle between teachers and the school committee over a new contract that has been ongoing since October 2022. The union argues that the wages proposed by the City of Newton are not enough to keep up with inflation and the increased cost of living.
"The membership of the Newton Teachers Association is standing up for the citizens, the students, and the educators of Newton, and we are saying, Mayor (Ruthanne) Fuller, enough is enough," Zilles said at a rally held in front of Newton City Hall Thursday night.
"They have been trying to negotiate in good faith for the last 15 months, and the school committee, and in particular the mayor’s office, have been continuously delaying and delaying," one Newton resident told WBZ NewsRadio.
"The School Committee’s focus right now is returning our kids to the classroom," Fuller wrote in a statement. "We will do everything possible to reach a competitive agreement that both honors our educators and provides program improvements and necessary supports for our students."
School Committee Chair Christopher Brezski called the strike a "unilateral and willful action on behalf of the unions to close our schools."
"There will emerge no winners from this, only losers, and our kids will lose the most," Brezski said.
On Friday, Mayor Fuller announced that striking teachers have received a cease and desist order, according to WBZ-TV.
Unionized educators rallied in front of Newton City Hall on Friday. A mediation session was also scheduled for Friday afternoon.
WBZ's Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports.
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