This afternoon, the Union of Gloucester Educators voted to ratify their new contract after being on strike for 15 days.
The end of the strike was announced shortly after the union unanimously voted to ratify the new contract at 1 p.m. today. Both the School Committee and UGE members were at West Parish until 4 a.m. this morning working towards a tentative agreement.
“The love for our students and our unending commitment to improving our lives has fueled us for 15 long days in the rain, in the cold, and throughout this struggle,” UGE Co-President Rachel Rex said during a press conference this afternoon. “What this strike proved is that in the face of cruel punishment and immense hardship, the more than 400 educators of the Union of Gloucester Educators had enough power to stand up, fight back, and transform this community.”
Paraprofessional and teacher wages were some of the last items to be settled during negotiations, with teachers getting a 4 year contract and paraprofessionals a 5 year contract.
“We have been without a contract for 512 days,” paraprofessional Margaret Rudolph said. “Today is day 1 of our new contract…we got a significant pay raise. We are not at the living wage where we were hoping to be – where we need to be – but it is a significant raise and it will make a difference to the bottom line of these poverty workers…we’ll get there next time.”
As of right now, the School Committee is unsure what impact these increased wages will have on the city.
“This contract fits within what our projections are for the coming fiscal year,” Mayor Greg Verga said during today’s press conference for the School Committee. “My CFO has met with the schools’ finance team and we feel confident that this is something that is affordable and sustainable, but let me be very clear, there will be some tough decisions ahead for the city side of the budget.”
Key issues regarding paid parental leave and school safety are also addressed in the new contract. Educators will now receive seven weeks of paid parental leave. Additionally, School Based Behavior Teams will be implemented in schools to help support students.
Emotions were high as both sides announced the end of the strike during their respective press conferences earlier today.
“It is time for us all to exhale and let go of the challenge, tension, sadness, and even anger that we’ve been experiencing over recent weeks and months,” Superintendent Ben Lummis said. “Let us breathe in this new day…teaching in public schools is the hardest work any of us will ever do, and it is the most important work any of us can do.”
After missing 10 days of school, students and educators will return to class on Monday, November 25.
