Teachers at West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester gathered Friday morning—not to head in to teach but to go on strike.
On Thursday night, 98% of the Union of Gloucester Educators, which consists of over 400 teachers and other educational staff, voted to go on strike. Teachers have worked without a contract since the beginning of the school year, and the paraprofessionals have been contractless for almost 500 days.
One of the main reasons for the strike is the poor pay for paraprofessionals, who make as little as $22,000 a year in the district. The union is proposing an increase to $37,000 by 2028.
Brenda Eason is deeply tied to this cause. She works as a behavior interventionist at West Parish. Her daughter, Rachelle, teaches kindergarten at the school, and her grandson, Dante, is a fourth grader.
Eason described her job as “getting abused for a living.” She’s been kicked, bit, had a knife pulled on her, and even a lacerated eyeball, but she says she returns every time for the kids.
Under current conditions, she isn’t sure how much longer she can. She has worked two jobs for the last 15 years, something she says she can’t maintain much longer at almost 60 years old.
“I love the kids,” she said to the crowd in front of Gloucester City Hall. “I don’t want to leave; please don’t make me leave.”
Another main reason for the strike is paid parental leave. The district does not offer paid parental leave, simply allowing employees three weeks unpaid, forcing many to use paid sick days.
Teacher McKayla Shawn spaced out her two children, waiting five years before having her second to accrue enough sick days. After the birth of her second son and with no sick days left, when her older daughter presented medical issues that required surgeries, Shawn was forced to take a leave of absence. The union’s plan would introduce 10.5 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
According to Beth Parkhurst, a 5th-grade teacher at West Parish, their proposals aim to attract and retain quality teachers and staff. Parkhurst said that they have lost six teachers on her floor alone. She describes that one retired early due to stress, two because they ran out of sick days to care for their children, and another took a higher-paying job as a nanny.
Teacher strikes are illegal in Massachusetts, and the union could face fines. Despite the strike’s illegality, Parkhurst says, “We have nothing left to give. This was an absolute last resort, and we have no other choices.”
In a Nov. 5 statement, Kathleen Clancy, chair of the Gloucester School Committee, said, “Teachers are essential employees who our children depend on for learning and safety during the school day. An illegal labor action will cause direct harm to students … It is our intention that with our legal steps taken today, the School Committee and GTA can return to the bargaining table to find common ground and solutions that reflect the immense respect we have for our educators.”
Gloucester teachers are joined by those in Beverly and Marblehead, who also voted to strike this week.
