Newton Teachers Strike Update: 'Incredibly Difficult On Everyone'

NEWTON, MA — The latest exchange of contract proposals on Sunday appears to have done little to bring forth a resolution of the Newton teachers' strike that claimed a seventh school day on Monday.

The Newton Teachers Association was planning another City Hall rally Monday at 1 p.m. after a spokesperson said the School Committee rejected what the NTA called "significant compromise proposals."

(More on Patch: Newton Teachers Strike Cancels School For 7th Day)

The NTA also challenged Mayor Ruthanne Fuller's assertion that agreeing to NTA demands for higher pay and support services would necessitate cuts across other municipal services — including the schools themselves if additional recurring resources can not be guaranteed through a Proposition 2 1/2 override.

"Claims by Fuller and (Newton School Committee Chair Chris) Brezski that NTA proposals would result in drastic cuts in all services across the city are ludicrous," the NTA said in a statement on Monday morning. "What Mayor Fuller is really saying is that she is choosing to engineer austerity budgets for city services in order to maintain surplus revenues to be used as she wishes."

Fuller noted in a statement calling off schools for a seventh day on Sunday night that voters rejected a tax override that would have resulted in greater school revenue just last spring, and that while she is "committed to trying again and putting another override proposal in front of our voters" she cannot commit to that spending level pending the override should it fail.

"We can't and won't kick the can down the road only to face a fiscal crisis in the future," she said. "We are unwilling to sign an unsustainable contract that results in teacher layoffs. Similarly, we are unwilling to lay off police, firefighters and other municipal employees to pay for a contract we
cannot afford."'

The NTA reiterated on Monday that the union is seeking cost-of-living wage increases, "livable wages" for aides and support staff, increased mental health services for students, and what it calls "modern parental leave" policies.

"Budgets express a community's values," the NTA said. "Fuller and Brezski can say whatever they want about the affordability and sustainability of NTA contract proposals. The reality is that Newton has resources to pay for necessary city services and the resources that our students and educators need.

"To return without these most basic needs being met means the crisis in our schools will continue, and the impacts of that crisis will continue to have lifelong consequences for the students and future of this city."

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 on Monday — the NTA said its membership is "as resolute as ever to secure the contract our students and educators need and deserve.

"We deeply empathize with community members who are struggling. This has been incredibly difficult on everyone. No more. Mayor Fuller and the Newton School Committee must fully fun our schools so students and educators can get back in their classrooms."

Newton teachers had been working without a contract for five months before 98 percent of members voted to strike on Jan. 18.

Superintendent Anna Nolin said all school buildings will remain closed — with all school-related activities such as athletics, arts clubs, after-school programs and community education programs canceled — for the duration of the strike.

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