Newton Teachers Strike Extended: Mayor Ruthanne Fuller Joins Negotiations Late Tuesday

NEWTON, MA — Newton Public Schools were canceled for a ninth straight day on Wednesday as both sides of the teachers' strike negotiations said "steady progress" was made in contract talks.

"Despite this, our unions are remaining on strike for (Wednesday)," the Newton School Committee said in a statement Tuesday night. "While this is not the news any of us wants to hear ... we remain optimistic about an end to the strike."

The NTA said in a statement: "Both parties are getting closer to an agreement but there is not yet a proposal that the 2,000+ members of the NTA will ratify.

"We will keep negotiating until we get there."

(More on Patch: Newton Teachers Strike Update: New Signs Of Hope On 8th Day Of Closures)

The NTA said that Mayor Ruthanne Fuller joined the negotiations on Tuesday night in person for the first time and said in a statement that she expects another revised proposal from the NTA around noon on Wednesday.

"Newton Teachers Association President Mike Zilles joined us in the room along with NTA educators and Massachusetts Teachers Association representatives," Fuller said. "Mr. Zilles expressed his commitment to academic excellence and social and emotional learning. His team needs more time to put their ideas into writing and we expect to receive a new proposal from them at noon (on Wednesday).

"The Newton School Committee and I cannot agree to a contract that negatively impacts our students. If the contract is not affordable, our students will suffer from layoffs, larger class sizes and fewer support services."

The NTA has said its membership will not return to the classrooms until an agreement is reached.

The NTA membership voted 98 percent in favor of the strike on Jan. 18. It said 94 percent of the membership was on the picket lines and are expected to be at the rally or negotiating table on Tuesday.

Despite fines for what is an illegal strike in Massachusetts totaling $425,000 as of Monday morning — with the possibility of those fines being extended or increased this week — the NTA said its membership is "as resolute as ever to secure the contract our students and educators need
and deserve."

Superintendent Anna Nolin has said all buildings will remain closed with all school-related activities — including athletics, arts programs, after-school care and community education programs — canceled for the duration of the work stoppage.

All school days missed during the strike will have to be made at some point during this academic year.