Belmont
Distant locals support striking Belmont teachers
“Infrequent, unproductive bargaining,” is what led to this eight-day strike in Belmont, according to Belmont Education Association President Robert Antonellis. The strike was a bitter one, with some parents crossing picket lines to keep the schools open and the district advertising for permanent replacement teachers in the middle of the strike.
MTA members from more than 14 locals joined the picket lines, coming from as far away as Worcester, Hudson and Hanover. In addition, a significant number of classroom aides, who were not on strike, honored the picket lines even after being threatened with sanctions.
In the end, the BEA paid a $10,000 fine for just one day of the strike. In the settlement, the BEA won improvements in working conditions and salary increases in years two, three and four of the contract, but not in the first year.
We did everything we could to avoid this strike. There was an unbelievable amount of public anger expressed during this strike, which made it especially difficult for our members, who are used to a different role with parents. We will do everything we can to help repair any lingering tension in the schools.
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