Newton Teachers Hit With Harsh Fines As Strike Enters Third School Day

NEWTON, MA — School was canceled for a third straight day on Tuesday after the Newton Teachers Association said on Monday night that no contract agreement had been reached following another day of negotiations.

Negotiations were set to continue on Tuesday.

A Middlesex Superior Court judge on Monday issued the first of what will be escalating fines against the NTA for the strike — which are illegal for public sector employees in Massachusetts.

The first fine of $25,000 was set to be imposed as of 8 p.m. on Monday night with the fine doubling each day of the work stoppage. Tuesday's fine will be $50,000, with the fine increasing to $100,000 on Wednesday and doubling each day through Thursday before they will be reassessed if the strike continues.

"There is a reason that teachers' strikes are illegal in Massachusetts," Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said in a statement Monday night. "Being out of school really hurts children. Schools provide routine and consistency for students. Kids learn in school, have fun with friends. Students receive needed support from trusted and outstanding educators and staff.

"For many parents who can't work from home or find child care, the disruption, now into a third day, translates into lost pay."

The NTA said earlier in the day that they had made a proposal to the School Committee that would have had students back in school buildings as of Tuesday if agreed to and signed by Fuller and the city.

"The Newton Teachers Association bargaining team has been engaged in intensive caucusing all day with helpful feedback from silent observers," the statement said. "The NTA sent the School Committee a memorandum of agreement style document going through our current proposals that, if signed, would open the schools (Tuesday).

"Mayor Fuller continues not to attend face-to-face negotiations. Responsibility lies with the mayor for ending this strike and reopening schools as quickly as possible."

Fuller countered 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."

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.

The NTA planned picket lines at eight schools across the city on Monday morning and held a City Hall rally at 1 p.m.

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.