Newton Teachers Strike Update: New Signs Of Hope On 8th Day Of Closure

NEWTON, MA — As Newton teachers walked the picket lines again Tuesday morning and planned another City Hall rally early in the afternoon there were some signs of the sides inching closer together on a new contract amid the strike that closed schools for an eighth day.

The School Committee said Tuesday's negotiations are focusing on the "major issues both the NPS and NTA have identified as important to improving the lives and experience of our students and staff" and that while there remained "a substantial gap" between the two parties, the proposals "are the closest they have been since the start of negotiations."

"We hope we are nearing an agreement, and we again ask the NTA to end the strike and return students to their classrooms," the School Committee said in a statement.

Newton Teachers Association negotiating team spokesperson Lynn Penczar similarly said during a news conference that Monday's negotiations brought the sides "inching closer on smaller issues," but they were still "far apart on many of the things that are most important to our students and our educators."

The NTA posted a statement on social media late Tuesday morning saying: "We're holding the line. We stand together for the contract our students and educators deserve."

The NTA also responded to a small group of parents who challenged the negotiating team at Monday night's news conference.

"Last night a few residents tried to disrupt the NTA nightly press update for credentialed media," the NTA said on Tuesday. "Newton Public Schools told the residents that the building was closed to the public during the bargaining sessions.

"The NTA would never attempt to silence residents but will not provide a platform to those who seek to undermine efforts to achieve a fair resolution."

The School Committee identified the "major issues" as improved compensation for Unit C employees, a commitment to increase social work support for students, and 12 weeks of paid family leave for all employees.

Among the areas where there is less agreement appear to be cost-of-living wage increases across the board — recently proposed at 18 percent over four years from the NTA, and 12 percent over four years from the city.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and the School Committee again urged the teachers to return to the classrooms pending negotiations on Tuesday.

"Our kids have to get back to school," the School Committee said. "We remain committed to an agreement that works for our teachers and our future."

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

The NTA said earlier on Monday that the School Committee had rejected what the NTA called "significant compromise proposals" before another day of negotiations and rallies.

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.