In a flashback to the contentious 15-day educators’ strike last November and with city schools reopening next week, Union of Gloucester Educators representatives were again standing in front of the steps of City Hall.
They carried a giant ceremonial check in the amount of $28,125 with “Strike Payment” written in the memo line. They also presented a real check to the mayor in his City Hall office.
They also carried with them the message that potential endorsements of candidates for School Committee and mayor in the upcoming city election would be decided through votes of rank-and-file union members in September.
The amount on the delivered check represents the first payment “to cover reimbursement of expenses and or damages” the School Committee incurred during the strike.
The amount is spelled out in a return-to-work agreement hammered out Nov. 22, at the end of the strike.
The total amount the Gloucester Teachers Association agreed to pay in expenses and or damages was $225,000 in minimum annual payments of $28,125 through Aug. 31, 2032, according to the agreement.
The costs include legal fees, advising and related legal guidance, police details and overtime, professional services, staff, overtime, labor to prepare and distribute meals for students and meal costs, according to the agreement.
“Today, on behalf of more than 400 educators across the city of Gloucester, our union delivered the first annual payment to the city and School Committee arising from last November’s 15-day strike,” Rachel Rex, co-president of the Union of Gloucester Educators, said in a video the union provided with a statement.
“As our students and teachers return to schools full of hope for the future, it is critical that we do not forget the lessons that we have learned through past experience,” said Rex, a Gloucester High School biology teacher. “Our union is proud of every single thing that we have done and will do to stand up for our members, our students and our community.”
She also announced the formation of the union’s political organizing committee to take an active role in the upcoming municipal election.
The committee has invited all candidates for School Committee and mayor in the upcoming election to interview with the union “with the aim of identifying for the voters of Gloucester candidates who will be champions for educators and students and who will move on from the grievances of the past and commit to making (Gloucester Public Schools) all it could be,” Rex said.
This was the next logical step for educators and the city.
“Together we must make the changes necessary to meet the moment, potentially including new and open-minded leaders for our district.” Interviews have begun with many new candidates, resulting in frank and productive conversations, she said.
“Unfortunately” Rex said, incumbent School Committee members declined to take part “in these relationship-building conversations with Gloucester educators.”
The door remains open to them to talk, she said.
The Union of Gloucester Educators plans to make endorsements from rank-and-file members in September.
“Our union’s bank account is empty, so this is not about making financial donations to candidates,” Alexandra Legendre, a second-grade teacher at Plum Cove School and chair of the Political Organizing Committee, said in a prepared statement.
“Our members are driven by a passion to make things better for our students, and that passion is going to fuel us to knock doors, make phone calls, and do everything we can to move Gloucester in a more positive direction.”
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.