Education
Second family stands united to halt Newton teachers strike – WCVB Boston
Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes
Title: Newton Family Seeks Court Intervention to End Ongoing Teachers’ Strike
In Newton, Massachusetts, a second family has taken legal action in an effort to halt the ongoing teachers’ strike that has disrupted the education system in the city. David and Allison Goldberg, concerned parents of a child with a learning disability, contend that the strike has hindered their daughter’s access to vital specialized instruction provided by her special education teachers.
The Goldberg family has filed a court petition requesting a judge to intervene and bring an end to the strike. However, the Newton Teachers Association, in response to the filing, has argued that private citizens lack the authority to obtain injunctive relief against a work stoppage initiated by public-sector employees.
The Goldbergs are asserting that their daughter’s school contract grants them the right to participate in the dialogue surrounding the strike. To escalate the situation, they are seeking heavier fines against the teachers’ union and demanding the arrest of the union president.
While teachers are guaranteed payment for work completed prior to the strike, any additional school days that may be added as compensatory measures could help prevent loss of earnings. Newton Public Schools officials have proposed adjusting the calendar by incorporating school days during the vacation periods in February and April, as well as potential weekend sessions, albeit without extending the academic year past June 30.
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education has expressed a desire for a swift resolution to the strike, emphasizing the urgency of getting students back in classrooms and re-establishing productive learning environments.
Lital Ahser-Dotan, another concerned parent, has also petitioned the court to intervene and bring the strike to a halt. This motion has garnered support from approximately 20 other families who are similarly affected by the ongoing standoff.
Negotiations between the Newton Teachers Association and Newton School Committee revolve around various issues, including pay raises, the inclusion of social workers in schools, and the formulation of parental leave policies. Disputes of this nature have led to illegal strikes by teachers in five communities across Massachusetts since May 2022, with Newton being one of the affected areas.
The Newton Teachers Association has faced substantial court-imposed fines totaling $475,000 due to the strike. Additionally, they now face an additional daily fine of $50,000 for each day the strike persists.
Efforts to reach a resolution are ongoing as the court weighs the arguments presented by both sides and deliberates on the impact of the strike on the affected families and community at large. The hope remains that a struck-earth solution can be found, providing a constructive outcome for all parties involved.
