Gloucester

Gloucester teachers and paraprofessionals went on strike on Nov. 8, one of three North Shore locals to go out within a few days of one another for many of the same reasons. Under the name Union of Gloucester Educators, the two locals stayed out for 10 school days, returning on Nov. 25.

Before the strike ended, Rachel Salvo Rex, co-president of the union, described agreeing to a “livable wage” for paraprofessionals as the “biggest barrier” that prevented negotiations from ending earlier.

In the end, the paraprofessionals won what School Committee Chairwoman Kathy Clancy described as “massive salary increases.” However, even with those increases, the local reported that the classroom aides will make no more than $40,000 by the last year of the contract.

Gloucester teachers and paraprofessionals won 35 days of fully paid parental leave in the agreement. Locals have to fight for parental leave because municipal employees are not included in the state law that guarantees parental leave for most private-sector workers.

All three striking North Shore locals were hit with high fines that started at $50,000 and increased by $10,000 for each day they remained on strike. The strikes also generated vitriolic commentary in The Boston Globe and among some municipal leaders. Despite the conflicts, all three locals received significant support from parents in their communities, and all three showed their appreciation by holding a vigil in honor of parents and students on Nov. 19.