Schools in Newton, Massachusetts, will be closed for a fourth straight day Wednesday as negotiations have failed to bring an end to the ongoing teacher strike.
Superintendent Anna Nolin of Newton Public Schools said Tuesday evening that classes would remain out. The Newton Teachers Association said that it would continue picketing Wednesday, and that negotiations would resume at 11 a.m.
The union says it's appalled by the lack of progress being made toward a new contract.
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"To the community that's been supporting us: we know that this is difficult," Newton North High School Spanish teacher Denise Cremin said earlier Tuesday.
The strike was announced Thursday and has had classes canceled since Friday.
While the Newton Teachers Association tries to force the school committee's hand, a Superior Court judge is applying pressure on the union by a fine of $25,000, which will double each day the strike continues.
"We will not be cowed by some fines," vowed Ryan Normandin, a negotiator for the union who addressed the media during a negotiation update Monday night.
The union was unfazed by the orders, sounding more resolute on Tuesday, calling on the school committee to approve a set of demands, including: wage increases for aides and behavioral therapists, a better family leave policy, cost of living adjustments and student mental health resources.
"I believe in collective bargaining but I do not support illegal strikes," said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller during a separate press conference Monday evening.
The city and the school committee agreeing on certain needs but say they're limited in budget.
"If we met all of the current demands of the union, we could not reduce class sizes or add social workers to the elementary schools," warned Newton School Committee Chair Christopher Brezski.
Striking teachers disagree, saying the money is there and the demands aren't new. They said they've been calling for changes for the past 16 months.
"I don't feel emboldened, I feel enraged that teachers have to go on strike in order to get what their students need in the classroom and in order to get what we need to support our families," said Cremin.
The school committee has agreed to send a counter proposal by noon Tuesday when negotiations are set to resume.
It's around that time that 100-or-so teachers will march to the Newton Education Center for a rally to pressure the school committee.
If the fines do nothing to move the needle by Thursday, the judge will then call for a new hearing on Friday.
