THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 21, 2022 Page 11 STRIKE | FROM PAGE 1 rity is not a barrier to our students’ academic success, educators are paid competitively and fairly, and our students’ education is not dependent on their ZIP code.” The MEA verified the election results Wednesday afternoon in which an overwhelming majority of the members approved the tentative agreement. “More than 700 MEA memMEA President Deborah Gesualdo said that the Revere, Lynn, Somerville, Haverhill and Brookline teachers’ unions, among others, showed solidarity to one another. bers harnessed their union strength, took action in their workplaces, and were engaged throughout the entire process to fight for the school that our students deserve,” said MEA’s Coalition Bargaining Committee Co-Chair Doug Dias. The original concerns cenMEA Action Team member/ English learner educator at the Linden STEAM Academy Sonia Miller said that all students matter. tered around safety, learning conditions and classroom sizes, as well as a living wage for paraprofessionals and teachers. Since they didn’t reach an agreement by Sunday night, approximately 700 teachers and staff went on strike Monday morning. However, the School Committee and union representatives called an emergency meeting Monday night, leading to a tentative agreement. Teachers returned to the classroom on Tuesday morning. “We’re currently bargaining with the School Committee, who knew the contract was expiring in August,” Malden Teachers Association President Deb Gesualdo said during Saturday’s rally outside of City Hall. “They were poorly prepared and aren’t willing to discuss.” Gesualdo, who teaches music Malden Education Association Vice-President Jessica Gold Boots said students can’t wait any longer, urging the School Committee and Superintendent to come to the table with real bargaining offers. at Linden STEAM Academy, said what she referred to as disproportion was entirely preventable but that the issue tends to happen more to women than to men. She commented on the tentative agreement. “Educators are back in classrooms with students today – where everyone wants to be day in and day out,” Gesualdo said Tuesday morning. Malden teachers went on strike on Monday. Pictured here are their supporters during Saturday’s protest outside of City Hall. According to her sign, former MHS teacher Michelle Filer left the district due to unsustainable working conditions. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) contract fairly, and continue to collaborate for the benefit of the most important group of people we serve – the students.” School Committee member Pictured holding signs are Linden STEAM Academy third grade teacher Emily Higgins, Linden STEAM Academy fourth grade teacher Katie Carter and ally Kevin Carter. “Getting the resources to help guide our students to their potential and create the schools our students deserve is at the heart of why we made the difficult decision to strike.” Allies and teachers from surrounding communities came out. School Committee Vice Chair Jennifer Spadafora said the Negotiations Subcommittee had been working with MEA since May. “Our Negotiations Subcommittee has been meeting to bargain since May with the Malden Education Association, and will continue to do so in good faith,” Spadafora said. “The strike vote, while surprising, doesn’t change my commitment as a School Committee member and a Malden Public School parent to making sure we settle this Adam Weldai was happy to see progress. “Malden loves our educators and knows what a difference they make in the lives of our students and the future of our community,” Weldai said. “Balancing that love with the long-term fiscal needs of the community is one of the hardest things the committee does. However, after some real collaboration with our MEA partners, we got to a resolution, and we can all walk away recommitted to working together for the benefit of our students.” Mayor Gary Christenson was out of town Saturday but released a statement later that night. “We are deeply surprised STRIKE | SEE PAGE 15 Malden High School (MHS) Building Representative, chair of the contract action team, and MHS special educator Rachel LeBlanc said that when they fight, they win. Massachusetts Teachers Asso ciation Executive Committee member/Belmont Education Asso ciation President John Sullivan said they stand in solidarity with teachers.
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