Nearly 2,850 students had classes canceled for a seventh school day Tuesday due to the ongoing teachers and paraprofessionals strike, but there was “significant progress” in talks that could reopen schools Wednesday, Gloucester’s superintendent said.
“So while school will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19th, I want to signal to families and staff that they should make preparations to be in school on Wednesday, November 20th,” Superintendent Ben Lummis said in his nightly update to families.
“While this is not guaranteed, we have made tangible progress towards an agreement and everyone should be ready to return to school.”
Mediation was ongoing as of 8 p.m., the deadline for the Gloucester Daily Times’ print edition.
Members of the Union of Gloucester Educators, made up of the teachers and paraprofessional unions, voted Nov. 7 to strike over salary, paid family leave, school safety and the call for a “living wage” for paraprofessionals, among other issues. Both bargaining units’ had been working under expired contracts, with paraprofessionals going more than 500 days without a deal.
Mediation sessions between the School Committee and representatives of the Union of Gloucester Educators have been ongoing every day at West Parish School since Nov. 8. There were signs of progress over the weekend with the return of face-to-face conversations. Mediation began at 10 a.m. Monday.
So far, the strike closed the seaport’s schools Friday, Nov. 8, and after the long Veterans Day weekend, they were closed Tuesday through Friday last week, and on Monday.
Lummis’s update to families came just before 7 p.m., about an hour later than usual.
“We have made such significant progress today that there was a real possibility of us coming to an agreement tonight that would have opened schools tomorrow,” Lummis told families. “Unfortunately, we will still need to continue our collaboration through the night and into tomorrow in order to finalize an agreement.”
“Again, I will acknowledge the burden that this strike has placed on everyone involved, but I am heartened to see real progress on both sides over the last 24 hours. I will provide further updates tomorrow as I have them.”
On Monday afternoon, the School Committee said on Facebook it had asked striking teachers and paraprofessionals to return to work and open schools “while we continue with our productive mediation efforts.”
Strikes by public employees are illegal in Massachusetts and a Superior Court Judge last week allowed a motion for contempt filed by the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board and the School Committee. Both the paraprofessionals and teachers unions face mounting “coercive” fines.
According to the contempt order, if the strike was not called off by 3 p.m. Monday, the teachers’ union would owe $260,000 and the paraprofessionals’ union would $90,000. The unions are not fined on the weekends.
A status conference was scheduled in court Monday to review compliance with the preliminary injunction to end the strike and court’s contempt order.
The teachers and paraprofessional unions filed an emergency motion for clarification Monday, given both unions do not have adequate funds in existing bank accounts to pay the fines, according to court documents.
A Candlelight Vigil is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall on Dale Avenue “in honor of the sacrifices and in support of Gloucester families, educators and community members,” according to a post on the Union of Gloucester Educators Facebook page.
The vigil is scheduled to be followed by a walk to the Fishermen’s Wives statue on Stacy Boulevard. Attendees are asked to bring an LED candle.
Tuesday’s events include a Union of Gloucester Educators delegation joining those from Beverly and Marblehead for an event at the State House, and pickets at West Parish and along Stacy Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In a large show of support Monday, hundreds of parents and students carrying signs like “Honk if you (Love) Teachers” marched at 1:30 p.m. from Gloucester High to Stacy Boulevard.
The “March for Movement” procession, organized by Gloucester High students, was met by hundreds of Union of Gloucester Educator members there to cheer them on.
Many marching with students were both educators and parents. Kindergarten teacher Christine Kecyk was marching with her son, Bodhi, 5.
“We just want to get back to school,” she said. “We miss our kids. We just want the School Committee to step up.”
The procession then made its way back to Gloucester High for a student rally.
“It all boils down to we miss our teachers, we miss you guys,” said Gloucester High senior Lexi Thomas, who emceed the students speakers.
“I am shocked, disheartened and disappointed with Mayor Verga and the lack of empathy is heart-breakingly obvious,” said Melody Mattson, 17, a Gloucester High senior. “I have a question, where is the money going if not to educators and ensuring the safety of the school buildings?”
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.