Woburn Teachers Strike: Negotiations To Resume With Schools Closed

WOBURN, MA — Classes in Woburn were canceled Monday after teachers went on strike following months of back-and-forth over a new contract for the educators.

The Woburn School Committee and Woburn Teachers Association were set to resume contract negotiations at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Woburn's last long-term contract with teachers expired in 2020, although the union did have a one-year contract during the 2021-22 school year.

The teachers in November rejected an offer, saying it failed to include key items like increased learning time, fair pay for paraprofessionals, more professional development and more district resources toward student health and well-being.

When contract negotiations resumed in December, the district offered teachers a 10 percent raise and an increase in retirement contributions — but the teachers union also said the district also included the addition of unpaid days to the school year.

Negotiations were ongoing up until the strike was announced Sunday evening.

"It remains our mission to find a resolution that is mutually beneficial, fair to all stakeholders and will ensure a high-quality education for the students of Woburn," the school committee and Mayor Scott Galvin said in a news release Sunday.

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