Beverly Teachers Strike: 'I Am Really Hopeful' Despite 8th Day Of No School
BEVERLY, MA — Beverly Teachers Association co-President Andrea Sherman said she was “encouraged” and “hopeful” that a deal to end the two-week strike may be getting closer after a face-to-face meeting with Superintendent Suzanne Charochak during Tuesday’s negotiations.
“I am really hopeful this conversation will drive us forward so we can settle this contract and we can get back to school as soon as possible,” Sherman said during a news conference on the eve of the eighth day of canceled classes because of the strike.
BTA Co-President Julia Brotherton said the union and School Committee have come to an agreement on “many, many issues” with wages and parental leave among those that remain outstanding.
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“We don’t see us as being that far apart,” Sherman said. “We see the deal on the table and as soon as they are ready to sign it we can be back in school.”
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Mayor Michael Cahill said in an update Tuesday night that he hopes the “exchange of information” in the superintendent meeting will “open the door to more productive dialogue.”
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“The School Committee has stretched the district budget to increase its wage proposals multiple times, including twice this spring without receiving counterproposals from the BTA,” School Committee Chair Rachael Abell said on Tuesday night. “We all agree that our educators need
and deserve a raise, but we will require the BTA to bring forward proposals that are financially possible for our community.”
The BTA officials said they are looking for a fourth year in the contract to get to the salary benchmarks the union sees as necessary for a deal.
Tuesday’s negotiations came after a contingent of striking Marblehead, Beverly and Gloucester teachers went to the State House to press Gov. Maura Healey and local representatives to pressure the city and School Committee to reach a deal.
Charochak said in announcing the Wednesday closure at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday: “While the School Committee and the BTA spent several hours in negotiations today, unfortunately, the volume of outstanding items will require further discussion tomorrow.”
Sherman said there is at least a chance that a deal could be in sight on Wednesday.
“I hope so,” she said. “We all want to be back in school.
“We miss the kids.”
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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