Beverly and Gloucester Teachers on Strike Amid Contract Dispute
Beverly, MA – The ongoing strike by educators in Beverly and Gloucester has left students without classes for another day as negotiations continue to stall. Local unions, including the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA), the Union of Gloucester Educators (UGE), and the Marblehead Educators Association, have united against respective school committees and city officials, accusing them of not negotiating in good faith.
The strike, which began Friday, is set to extend into Marblehead as teachers there plan to join on Tuesday. Union leaders claim that school authorities are misleading families and deliberately delaying negotiations. “All three districts are stalling to punish educators,” asserted BTA co-president Julia Brotherton, pointing to the involvement of a shared anti-union law firm.
The unions are advocating for increased wages and better benefits for paraprofessionals and parental leave. Notably, Gloucester paraprofessionals like Margaret Rudolph earn about $26,000 annually, with proposals calling for a raise to $37,000 by the 2027-2028 school year. “We have reached the breaking point,” she said.
School Committee chairs in Beverly and Gloucester have responded by asserting that unions have not made substantial counter-proposals. Beverly School Committee Chair Rachael Abell noted a lack of progress, while Gloucester’s Kathleen Clancy remarked on a significant gap—nearly $2.5 million—between union and committee salary proposals.
As the strike continues, school activities have been canceled, with food services to remain available for students. Union representatives are urging for fair negotiations and expressing concern over the exodus of educators leaving for better-paying positions in neighboring districts. The local education community remains in a state of uncertainty as both sides attempt to navigate the complex contract discussions.
Molly Farrar – Boston.com
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