Hundreds of teachers in Andover, Massachusetts went on strike on Friday morning, causing classes to be canceled for approximately 5,500 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The strike was initiated by the Andover Education Association after a vote on Thursday night. Contract negotiations between the union and the Andover School Committee, mediated by a state-appointed mediator, were scheduled to resume in the afternoon.
The strike has left the district’s teachers torn between their passion for teaching and the difficulties imposed by the district. Matt Bach, a high school history teacher and the union president, expressed the teachers’ sentiments, stating, “Nobody wants to be out here, we want to be in the classrooms, we’re passionate about teaching and delivering services, but it has been made so difficult by the district to do that effectively.”
The district claims to have offered 23% raises for starting-level teachers and 11% raises for top-level teachers over a span of three years. However, the union is pushing for higher percentages, specifically 16% raises for all teachers over the same three-year period. The issue of wages for instructional aides is also a point of contention in the negotiations.
The strike has caused significant disruption to the education system in Andover, with students and parents facing the impact of canceled classes. Both parties involved in the negotiations are hopeful that a resolution can be reached soon to end the strike and allow teachers to return to their classrooms.
