Teachers in a small school district in Massachusetts have gone on strike, demanding increased pay and expanded recess and lunch hours. The Andover Education Association, the teachers’ union, has failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the Andover Public Schools, leading to the cancellation of classes.
The school district has offered a 14% pay raise for teachers over four years, but the union is demanding an 18% increase. However, accepting the union’s demand would result in the reinstatement of bus fees and the need to cut extracurricular programs, such as sports and arts, according to the district. They argue that it would have a negative impact on the overall school budget and could lead to layoffs.
The union, on the other hand, accuses the district of not engaging in good faith negotiations. They believe that the district is not taking their demands seriously and that the negotiations have been a waste of time.
Andover Public Schools is a relatively small district with around 5,500 students across different grade levels. The strike in Massachusetts coincides with a teachers’ strike in Portland, Oregon, where educators are also demanding increased pay and racial equity training.
It remains to be seen how negotiations will progress in both districts and whether the teachers’ demands will be met. As the strike continues, students and parents are left uncertain about the future of their education, while teachers advocate for better compensation and improved school experiences for their students.
