Woburn teachers make ‘tentative’ deal to end strike
Schools reopen after weeklong standoff
The week-long teachers’ strike in Woburn is coming to an end on Sunday, as the teachers have reached a “tentative agreement” with the mayor and School Committee.
Schools will be reopening for all students on Monday, according to the School Committee and Mayor Scott Galvin.
“The agreement provides educators with a fair contract that also aligns with the best interests of the district and residents of Woburn,” the city officials said in a statement. “Most importantly Woburn Public Schools will be able to resume providing a highquality education to our 4,200 students.
“Mayor Galvin and the School Committee recognize that these negotiations have been lengthy and time-consuming, and wish to thank the community for its patience and understanding,” the city added.
The Woburn Teachers Association’s ratification vote is set for Sunday night after all-day negotiations led to a return-towork agreement.
“The WTA is proud to announce a contract that significantly increases the pay for our essential Education Support Professionals,” WTA President Barbara Locke said in a statement. “We are also pleased to announce a contract for our teachers that creates a more competitive wage and slightly lowers class sizes for grades 4 and 5. However, more work remains to be done.”
The Woburn Teachers Association, School Committee and mayor reached a tentative agreement on financial packages for teacher and paraprofessionals on Friday night. But there was a hold-up over a requested $250,000 payment to the city as part of a return-to-work agreement.
The mayor had directed the teachers union to pay $250,000 to the city as reimbursement for their week-long strike. The city had to pay for daily police details at Woburn schools at roughly $95,000, has continued to provide lunch to students, and has incurred unplanned administrative and legal costs.
The Woburn Teachers Association on Sunday agreed to pay the city $225,000 and also to give $20,000 to local charities as part of the return-towork deal.
“There were expenses that we incurred due to the strike,” the mayor told reporters. “And it was my duty and the Committee’s duty to make sure that we recoup those for the taxpayers.”
Under state law, it is illegal for public employees to go on strike and the Woburn Teachers Association’s decision to defy a Jan. 27 Superior Court order to return to work has already resulted in roughly $90,000 in fines.
The Commonwealth Employment Relations Board filed a “verified complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction” against the Massachusetts Teachers Association on Thursday, ordering it to stop encouraging the strike in Woburn.
The teachers’ strike in Woburn comes after recent strikes in Brookline, Haverhill and Malden.