Woburn Teachers Strike: Classes Canceled For Third Day

WOBURN, MA — The Woburn teachers strike will continue Wednesday, keeping schools across the district closed.

The Woburn Teachers Association said school leaders walked away from negotiations Tuesday, forced a third strike day. But officials including Mayor Scott Galvin said the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board has ordered the teachers union to end the strike.

"Yet again Mayor Scott Galvin and [School Committee Chair] Ellen Crowley decided to end negotiations, calling off schools while we were still negotiating. Progress was being made and we’re willing to compromise on everything except the quality of our Woburn schools.
Who do you trust? The educators who teach and take care of your students every day? Who are always fighting for the best interest of your children," Woburn Teachers Association President Barbara Locke said in a state Tuesday night.

The two sides have tried and failed to reach a contract over more than two dozen bargaining sessions in recent months. Woburn teachers have been without a long-term contract since 2020. A one-year agreement expired at the end of the 2021-22 school year.

One main sticking point in negotiations is pay for paraprofessional educators. Teachers have been offered a 10 percent raise, but are also asking the district to raise paraprofessional pay to a liveable wage.

The district said it offered to "significantly increase compensation for all paraprofessionals in the next three years, and allow them access to the City’s generous benefits package" during negotiations Tuesday.

Galvin and Crowley said the teachers union was using "scorched Earth" tactics to reach a deal.

"Despite this new offer, and our continued efforts to act in good faith, we have been informed that Woburn teachers will continue their strike and not report to work on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Therefore, classes have been cancelled for a third day," Galvin and Crowley said in a joint statement.