Educator strikes leaves over 10,000 North Shore students out of school

By Hannah Goeke

Over 10,000 students in Beverly, Gloucester, and Marblehead will miss school on Wednesday as educators in these North Shore communities continue their strikes. Teachers and paraprofessionals are demanding higher wages, expanded paid parental leave, and other changes in working conditions, including safer schools and manageable class sizes.

The strikes began last Friday in Beverly and Gloucester, with Marblehead joining the walkout on Tuesday. All three unions — the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA), the Union of Gloucester Educators (UGE), and Marblehead Educators — are part of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. They cite a lack of progress in contract negotiations as the reason for the strike. 

Although public employees, including teachers, are not legally permitted to strike in Massachusetts, recent years have seen several unauthorized teacher strikes across the state. Educators in Newton set a new record earlier this year with an 11-day strike, despite court orders to return to work. The Newton Teachers Association ultimately faced fines totaling over $600,000 for ignoring the injunctions. 

The North Shore unions might be facing similar court action soon. On Friday, a court issued orders for the Beverly and Gloucester unions to end their strikes and return to work. Both unions chose to ignore the court order. No judge has ruled any fines that could be levied at the unions as of Tuesday. 

Parents and students across the North Shore have expressed their frustration as classes remain canceled, while others stand in solidarity with the educators, viewing the strikes as essential to securing better conditions for teachers and students alike.