Beverly and Gloucester Teacher Strikes Disrupt Schools, Raise Legal Concerns
Teachers in Beverly and Gloucester have gone on strike, shutting down schools and disrupting students’ education despite the fact that teacher strikes are illegal in Massachusetts. The strikes, organized by the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA) and Gloucester Teachers Association (GTA), mark the first teacher walkouts in the state since Newton’s illegal two-week strike earlier this year, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for the union.
School officials have strongly opposed the strikes, citing their negative impact on students and urging teachers to resume work. The Beverly School Committee has already taken legal action in Beverly, filing a motion with the Department of Labor Relations to prevent further strikes.
Beverly School Committee Chair Rachael Abell denounced the strike as “disruptive and unfair” to students:
“We are committed to working with state officials to limit disruptions to students’ education and urge all teachers and staff to return to the classroom. We call on the BTA to end this unlawful strike and engage in good-faith negotiations with the mediator.”
While union leaders claim the strikes are necessary to secure better pay and working conditions, the decision to walk out has left students without instruction and forced families to scramble for alternative arrangements. Additionally, given the precedent set by Newton’s costly strike, the unions could face steep legal and financial consequences for their actions.
If you are a union member, you can be fined and suffer retaliation for not striking. Learn your rights.
It is important to note that no teacher can be forced to participate in a strike. Striking is a personal choice, and those who wish to continue teaching have the right to do so without facing pressure from union leadership or colleagues. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on how quickly schools can return to normal and how much disruption students will continue to face.
For more information on your rights as an employee regarding unions, visit Know Your Rights.
