As the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) strike extends into its fourteenth day Thursday, Feb. 1, resulting in the tenth consecutive day of canceled school, negotiations remain in progress between the union and the Newton School Committee.
“So many communities of children are being hurt now for a second week,” said Lital Asher-Dotan, a parent of three NPS students. “Kids should be back in school.”
According to an email from the committee Wednesday, Jan. 31, the two parties were still around $15 million apart in their proposals. However, earlier today, the NTA presented a proposal that narrowed the difference to under $4 million, as reported by Ryan Normandin, a member of the negotiations committee.
According to an email update sent out by Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, the parties have made significant progress on most of the issues, including the parental leave policy, Unit C wages, and having a social worker in each building, though compensation remains unresolved.“Now, it is just about the money,” she said.
Fuller added that the committee is working to speed up negotiations and get students back into the building. “This illegal strike is hurting our children,” she said. “Our parents and caregivers were struggling, making alternative arrangements, paying a lot for childcare, depending on family and friends to fill in, and missing work.”
According to Mike Schlegelmilch, the strike was the NTA’s last resort to get a desired contract, and despite the backlash it has received from the prolonged strike, many parents have been steadfast in their support.
“We understand how parents are feeling frustrated right now and angry right now. We are too. We wanted kids to be back in school yesterday, last week,” said Schlegelmilch. “The person to direct that frustration and that anger toward is the mayor, so that we can get the funding allocation that will allow us to get back with our students, with the learning conditions that they deserve.”
The NTA continued to rally at the Education Center today with support from members of the community.
