MARBLEHEAD — On Thursday, a judge suspended the fines presented to the Marblehead Education Association (MEA) and ordered the School Committee and MEA to come to an agreement that returns teachers and students to school by 6 p.m. Sunday.
According to a press release by the School Committee on Friday, the judge gave a new order that “could change the nature of the negotiations” if there is no agreement reached by Sunday. The judge also told the two parties to partake in expedited fact-finding with a neutral fact-finder, or multiple fact-finders, under the Department of Labor Relations’s supervision.
Despite this deadline, the two parties did not come to an agreement, and Superintendent John Robidoux decided to cancel school on Monday.
At 7:45 p.m. Sunday, a representative from the MEA told the public there had been progress made, but there was still no contract in place.
Throughout Sunday, the MEA provided live updates on negotiations through their social media pages.
The MEA update at 8 p.m. stated they did not accept the School Committee’s Ultimatum Offer, but they gave a counterproposal with revised language that would reduce overall costs. The MEA continued to hold on wage proposals.
At 8:15 p.m. the MEA posted an update stating the mediator told the MEA the School Committee is holding on all of their proposals. The MEA also mentioned parents formed a sit-in in the lobby of Marblehead High School.
The MEA furthermore asked the mediator to demand the School Committee stay and bargain throughout the night as long as it takes to settle a fair contract.
At 9 p.m. the MEA released a final update for Sunday night. It stated the School Committee refused to stay and bargain and ended the night’s session.
According to the update, parents remained at Marblehead High School to speak with School Committee members as they left the building. School Committee members proceeded to request a police escort out of the school.
Negotiations will continue on Monday, it will be the tenth day students and teachers have been out of the classroom.
Follow all Marblehead Teachers’ Strike updates through itemlive.com
