Monday, October 28, 2019

DEDHAM MASS. TEACHERS HAVE CONTRACT SO END STRIKE; CHICAGO TEACHERS CONTINUE THEIR STRIKE

From WCVB in Boston:
DEDHAM, Mass. —
Dedham teachers and school officials have agreed to a tentative deal to end the teacher strike that began Friday.

School officials said the new four-year collective bargaining agreement, one year of which is retroactive, ends a one-day strike and ensures that Dedham schools will be open Monday.

The deal comes at the end of a 15-hour bargaining session that spanned Saturday night and lasted into Sunday, officials said. The CBA is subject to ratification by the Dedham Education Association and an approval vote by the Dedham School Committee.

DEA President Tim Dwyer said he fully expects the teachers union to ratify the contract during a meeting at 4 p.m. Monday. Superintendent Michael Welch expects the deal will then be approved by the school committee.

The details of Sunday's agreement will be made public after the ratification and approval votes.

“This agreement is a major victory for Dedham educators and their students,” Dwyer said.

“As we have been saying, educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. DEA members stood up for their profession and for their students,” said Rachel Dudley, chair of the DEA's bargaining team.

The Chicago Teachers Union strike continues for an eighth day. From WGN:
CTU and city officials are still millions of dollars apart as they seek to reach a deal to end what is now longest strike in more than 30 years.

The major sticking points are staffing and class size.

The teachers union wants counselors, nurses and librarians in every school. They are also calling for a reduction in class size.

CTU officials said students deserve better.

Mayor Lightfoot said she agrees, but says the city doesn't have enough money to meet all of the union's demands.

The mayor of Chicago did settle with SEIU Local 73 to end their strike. They are special education assistants, security guards, bus drivers and custodians.

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