Gloucester educators picketed in front of all district schools this morning, and held a rally this afternoon at City Hall, as a result of their decision last night to go on strike. Students and community members stood outside with signs, chanted and gave speeches to show their support for teachers and paraprofessionals.
“This is the culmination of many months of good faith negotiations and effort by the teachers union to improve conditions for all educators,” O’Maley Spanish teacher Heidi Wakeman said. “The paras have been working without a contract for over 400 days. Their working conditions are connected to our working conditions. If it’s hard to get to work because of protesting, maybe consider what they’re fighting for.”
Educators gathered outside of City Hall at 1:00 p.m. for a rally where teachers, paraprofessionals and students spoke out, asking the School Committee for a fair contract.
“How many more rallies and protests have to happen before education is made proper,” GHS senior Melody Mattson said. “How many intelligent, talented and suffering students and teachers have to fall through the cracks before they are paved, because we know how much they love to pave the roads…I am trying to remain respectful but I have made three speeches fighting for fair and safe education. How many more will I have to write and deliver?”
Educators are demanding a contract which includes school safety, competitive wages, paid parental leave and equitable elementary school hours.
“Last night we made history when 98% of our union voted to go on strike,” GTA President Rachel Rex said at the rally. “We were forced into this decision by Superintendent Ben Lummis, the Gloucester School Committee and Mayor Greg Verga. Their stalling tactics and their proposal rejections left us no choice…Stay strong Union of Gloucester Educators, hold the line, so we can offer our Gloucester students the stellar education that they deserve.”
In the midst of their ongoing bargaining with the School Committee, the union called Mayor Greg Verga to the negotiating table during their session on October 8th. He chose not attend the last bargaining session on October 29th.
“It was not that I was unable to attend, negotiations have always been handled by a team made up of School Committee members,” Verga said. “Our educators are our family, our friends and our neighbors. Some of these educators were my classmates, many of them taught my kids and now they are teaching my grandchildren. I am disappointed by the vote for an illegal strike.”
Both sides are now in mediation, but educators said they hope to meet with the School Committee face to face.
The School Committee announced earlier today that the Varsity Football team will participate in their playoff game today at 7:00 p.m. However, after November 9th, “all school sponsored student activities must be rescheduled, if possible, or canceled until school resumes.”
Community members are upset by this decision, pointing out that student activities are continuing in Beverly, who also decided to go on strike yesterday.
“I think it’s grossly unfair to our athletes, especially our cheerleaders who have a competition next Sunday,” Rex said. “If football can play tonight, why aren’t they allowing cheerleaders to cheer?”
The union announced that there will be another rally at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the boulevard, with community members and speakers in attendance.
Heidi Wakeman • Nov 9, 2024 at 8:07 pm
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