'Appalled At The Lack Of Progress': Newton Teachers Strike Extended To 4th Day

Updated 8:30 p.m.

NEWTON, MA — Newton Public Schools will again be closed on Wednesday as the teachers' strike extends into a fourth day.

The Newton Teachers Association will incur an additional $50,000 fine as part of escalating fines for participating in a public sector union strike that is illegal under Massachusetts state law. The fine is set to be $100,000 as of Wednesday and $200,000 on Thursday as intended pressure to return to the classroom.

(More on Patch: Newton Teachers Strike Update: NTA Defiant In Face Of Escalating Fines)

But the NTA said earlier on Tuesday that the fines would not deter members that took part in another day of picketing at schools across the city during the morning, a City Hall rally in the early afternoon and a scheduled news conference early Tuesday night where it was announced that no deal had been reached during another day of failed negotiations.

"We, the NTA, are appalled at the lack of progress during these negotiations," said Ryan Normandin, a Newton South teacher and members of the negotiations team early Tuesday night. "We have been available day and night to bargain and have an urgent sense of responsibility to reopen schools. But that can only happen when we have a fair contract.

"The School Committee today has continued to reject our proposals. Let me tell you about what that means. They are refusing to provide our "Unit C" employees a living wage. They not budgeting on a humane, modern parental leave for both parents in a family ... that's very important. They are denying our students much-needed mental health support, including a social worker in every building.

"Why? Because Mayor (Ruthanne Fuller) and her School Committee are not serious about settling this contract. They are not serious about getting kids back into school. They haven't ever been serious about doing this."

Fuller said on Monday night that the School Committee's latest offer would "provide competitive wages and benefits to our teachers without requiring layoffs of essential city employees — including teachers — later."

"Let the thousands and thousands and thousands of students in Newton back into school," she said in a Tuesday night statement. "Please don't continue with this strike. The School Committee negotiating team will continue to bargain in good faith, and I will continue to support our terrific teachers with the funding for a competitive and sustainable contract."

The strike comes amid a five-month contract impasse with the teachers calling for a new deal with pay increases, better paid parental leave, increased mental health support for students, and guaranteed time to prepare coursework and collaborate with colleagues.

Newton teachers voted Thursday afternoon to walk off the job effective Friday morning after the union said 98 percent of its membership voted in favor of the strike.

Superintendent Anna Nolin said that all school buildings will be closed — with all school-related events canceled — for the duration of the strike.

Newton Public Schools offered "grab-and-go" breakfast and lunch pickup for students in need on Friday and Monday in a manner similar to the distribution during the COVID-19 health crisis.

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