MARBLEHEAD — As students across Marblehead approach two weeks of no school due to the ongoing teacher’s strike, some community members have begun to express their disapproval of the illegal strike.
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, section 9A(a) of the Law “prohibits public employees and employee organizations from striking or inducing, encouraging, or condoning a work stoppage by public employees.”
Despite the fact that it is illegal for public employees to conduct a strike, the Marblehead Education Association (MEA) continues to stand their ground.
Numerous locals in Marblehead have expressed their disapproval of the illegal action these teachers have taken, both on social media and among themselves.
One longtime Marblehead resident, who has worked for the town in the past, said “people don’t mind supporting the schools within reason, but this is like they’re holding the town hostage and they’re saying ‘we’re not going to go back until we get what we want.’”
The Marblehead resident also mentioned the poor example the teachers are showing the students. The resident said, “they’re teaching them to break the law. It just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
On Facebook, multiple members of the community have made posts or comments in regards to the strike. One post stated “let them learn,” wanting the students back in school despite the lack of agreement between the two parties.
Gov. Healey also released a statement after the unions held a rally outside of the State House in Boston. Healey stated “it is unacceptable that students have been out of school for nearly two weeks.” Healey added that it is understood that paraprofessionals and tutors are fighting for important wages and benefits, but the students must be back in the classrooms while these negotiations continue.
Since the beginning of the strike, the Department of Labor Relations (DLR) have taken multiple actions.
After the initial vote, the DLR ordered both the MEA and the School Committee to continue bargaining, and provided a mediator.
On the first day of the strike, Nov. 12, the DLR and School Committee sought an injunction against the MEA. On Nov. 13, the Essex Superior Court judge ordered teachers return to their classrooms and imposed fines upon the MEA.
As of Wednesday, the latest legal action has been taken on four specific members of the MEA.
Though fines are the only consequences unions have faced recently, in the 1970s, teachers were often sent to jail for striking. In 1977, roughly 80 Franklin educators were sent to jail for their two week strike.
One penalty that has been seen in recent years is the local parents deciding to sue teachers unions for damages. In Newton earlier this year, numerous parents took legal action stating the strike had caused their children emotional distress and learning loss. The parents also claimed the strike had caused them financial distress due to missed work days and tutor compensations.
The strike will continue on Friday and school has been called off, making it a total of nine days since students and teachers have been in school.
