Medfield Teachers Association
88R South Street, Medfield, MA 02052
medfield.massteacher.org
April 16, 2015
Medfield Teachers Working for Fair Contract
After working more than eight months without a contract, the Medfield Teachers Association is making its concerns public. “We want to be sure everyone knows that the Medfield Teachers are still working for a fair contract and we expect the same from the School Committee,” said Brendan Hughes, High School Math teacher and Chair of the Association’s Negotiating Committee.
The School Committee and Association came to a tentative three-year agreement last June that contained a 4.5% general wage increase with an additional 0.5% for teachers at the maximum pay level. There was a vote in September and the proposed agreement did not pass as the membership was looking for an agreement that was competitive. The proposed agreement came at a time when the average wage increases across the area have been 6% over three years. Following the membership’s vote, there have been four negotiations sessions without resolution.
“We are already behind the average of our comparable school districts,” added Kathy Curran, Dale Street School Grade 5 teacher and a member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We're only looking to keep our salary increases consistent with those of other districts. On almost any scale, Medfield Public Schools are ranked in the top 1% in Massachusetts, and we are simply asking that our wage increases start to reflect that.”
In addition to compensation, the Medfield Teachers Association is currently concerned about the School Committee’s commitment to reach a new agreement. “This has gone on long enough,” said Joan Dion, Wheelock School Grade 2 teacher and MTA President. “I’m proud to see the unity of our membership. We are working toward a fair agreement and encourage the School Committee to recommit to resolve our differences.”
Yesterday afternoon, the MTA membership voted overwhelmingly to bring their concerns public enacting Phase II of their action plan. As part of Phase II, members will attend School Committee meetings, reach out to the public, withdraw from non-mandatory committees, and exit schools together once per week at the end of their contractual day. “Our actions were thoughtfully constructed to have no direct impact on our students,” assured Melinda Lohan, High School Social Studies Teacher and member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We will continue to uphold our high level of professionalism.”
In Phase I, approved by the membership on March 4th, the Association started their campaign by wearing T-shirts once a week, refusing to volunteer for new administrative committee work, and creating a website at medfield.massteacher.org. Without an agreement by mid-May, the membership is slated to vote for a third phase of increased action.
Contact: Brendan Hughes, MTA Negotiations Chair, brendanhughes1984@gmail.com, 617-365-1016
88R South Street, Medfield, MA 02052
medfield.massteacher.org
April 16, 2015
Medfield Teachers Working for Fair Contract
After working more than eight months without a contract, the Medfield Teachers Association is making its concerns public. “We want to be sure everyone knows that the Medfield Teachers are still working for a fair contract and we expect the same from the School Committee,” said Brendan Hughes, High School Math teacher and Chair of the Association’s Negotiating Committee.
The School Committee and Association came to a tentative three-year agreement last June that contained a 4.5% general wage increase with an additional 0.5% for teachers at the maximum pay level. There was a vote in September and the proposed agreement did not pass as the membership was looking for an agreement that was competitive. The proposed agreement came at a time when the average wage increases across the area have been 6% over three years. Following the membership’s vote, there have been four negotiations sessions without resolution.
“We are already behind the average of our comparable school districts,” added Kathy Curran, Dale Street School Grade 5 teacher and a member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We're only looking to keep our salary increases consistent with those of other districts. On almost any scale, Medfield Public Schools are ranked in the top 1% in Massachusetts, and we are simply asking that our wage increases start to reflect that.”
In addition to compensation, the Medfield Teachers Association is currently concerned about the School Committee’s commitment to reach a new agreement. “This has gone on long enough,” said Joan Dion, Wheelock School Grade 2 teacher and MTA President. “I’m proud to see the unity of our membership. We are working toward a fair agreement and encourage the School Committee to recommit to resolve our differences.”
Yesterday afternoon, the MTA membership voted overwhelmingly to bring their concerns public enacting Phase II of their action plan. As part of Phase II, members will attend School Committee meetings, reach out to the public, withdraw from non-mandatory committees, and exit schools together once per week at the end of their contractual day. “Our actions were thoughtfully constructed to have no direct impact on our students,” assured Melinda Lohan, High School Social Studies Teacher and member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We will continue to uphold our high level of professionalism.”
In Phase I, approved by the membership on March 4th, the Association started their campaign by wearing T-shirts once a week, refusing to volunteer for new administrative committee work, and creating a website at medfield.massteacher.org. Without an agreement by mid-May, the membership is slated to vote for a third phase of increased action.
Contact: Brendan Hughes, MTA Negotiations Chair, brendanhughes1984@gmail.com, 617-365-1016
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