Teachers Strike Continues in North Shore Communities

Teacher strikes in Beverly, Gloucester, and Marblehead, Massachusetts, continue into another week as negotiations over wages, benefits, and school safety remain unresolved. The unions are demanding significant salary increases, especially for lower-paid paraprofessionals, and enhanced benefits like paid parental leave and safer school environments. While some tentative agreements, such as on class sizes, have been reached, major financial disagreements persist. The strikes are illegal under Massachusetts law, leading to accumulating fines for the unions, with Beverly and Gloucester facing $260,000 in fines and Marblehead $180,000 if the strikes continue. Parents and students have rallied in support of teachers, emphasizing the critical need to adequately fund schools to prevent negative impacts on education and community. Negotiations are ongoing, with no immediate resolution in sight, as school committees argue financial constraints and unions accuse them of stalling tactics.