Classes for Andover students have been canceled for Tuesday, the third day of canceled classes, as the teachers’ strike continues in the Massachusetts city. The Andover School Committee’s announcement came hours after an Essex Superior Court judge ruled that the union representing Andover educators will face incremental fines if teachers continue their strike, which began Friday. A court order states that if the strike did not end by 6 pm Monday, the Andover Education Association would be fined $50,000. The court order also states that if the strike continues until 3 pm Tuesday, the union will be fined another $60,000 and will face fines that will increase by an additional $10,000 for each day the strike continues. For example, if the strike lasts until 3 pm on Wednesday, the Andover Education Association will be fined $70,000 for that day and another $80,000 if the strike continues until 3 pm on Thursday. Union members returned to the picket lines Monday morning and gathered for brief solidarity. demonstration at Town Common, as classes were canceled while negotiations with the Andover School Committee continued. After Saturday’s 14-hour session, the Andover School Committee had proposed 14% raises for teachers over the next four years, with a 23.4% raise for instructional assistants over the same period. When negotiations resumed Sunday afternoon, the union presented a counterproposal that suggested an 18% raise for teachers and a 34% raise for instructional assistants over four years. “If the School Committee were to accept these salary proposals, our budget would be unsustainable and would result in layoffs. Accepting the AEA’s latest offer will have a significant negative impact on other parts of the school budget,” the school committee said in a statement. According to a statement from the union, “The School Committee stated that it was making its ‘last best offer’ and was willing to close schools if the AEA rejected it. The counterproposal was a devastating blow to our instructional assistants, who feel disrespected and devalued by the employer”. After negotiations ended Monday, the Andover Education Association said they are encouraged that negotiations with the School Committee are moving forward. Breakfasts and boxed lunches will continue to be offered at Bancroft Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city will provide services for students during the day. , including a block party for middle and high school students at the Cormier Youth Center. Track and field rehearsals will also continue, and parents are encouraged to contact coaches and/or the principal for more information. Students who do not attend an Andover public school but rely on transportation provided by the school district will be picked up and dropped off. off as usual.
Classes for Andover students are canceled for Tuesday, the third day of canceled classes, as a teachers’ strike continues in the Massachusetts city.
The Andover School Committee’s announcement came hours after an Essex Superior Court judge ruled that the union representing Andover educators will face incremental fines if teachers continue their strike, which began Friday.
A court order states that if the strike did not end by 6 pm Monday, the Andover Education Association would be fined $50,000.
The court order also states that if the strike continues until 3 pm Tuesday, the union will be fined another $60,000 and will face fines that will increase by an additional $10,000 for each day the strike continues.
For example, if the strike lasts until 3 pm on Wednesday, the Andover Education Association will be fined $70,000 for that day and another $80,000 if the strike continues until 3 pm on Thursday.
Union members returned to the picket lines Monday morning and gathered for a brief solidarity rally on Town Common, as classes were canceled while negotiations with the Andover School Committee continued.
After Saturday’s 14-hour session, the Andover School Committee had proposed 14% raises for teachers over the next four years, with a 23.4% raise for instructional assistants over the same period. When negotiations resumed Sunday afternoon, the union presented a counterproposal that suggested an 18% raise for teachers and a 34% raise for instructional assistants over four years.
“If the School Committee were to accept these salary proposals, our budget would be unsustainable and would result in layoffs. Accepting the AEA’s latest offer will have a significant negative impact on other parts of the school budget,” the school committee said in a statement.
According to a statement from the union, “The School Committee stated that it was making its ‘last best offer’ and was willing to close the schools if the AEA rejected it. The counterproposal was a devastating blow to our instructional assistants, who feel disrespected and devalued by the employer.”
After negotiations ended Monday, the Andover Education Association said they are encouraged that negotiations with the School Committee are moving forward.
Breakfasts and boxed lunches will continue to be offered at Bancroft Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city will provide services for students during the day, including a block party for middle and high school students at the Cormier Youth Center. Track and field rehearsals will also continue, and parents are encouraged to contact coaches and/or the principal for more information.
Students who do not attend an Andover public school but rely on transportation provided by the school district will be picked up and dropped off as usual.
