Staff Reports
Newton, Massachusetts was abuzz this week as students finally returned to the classroom after enduring over two weeks of chaos and confusion caused by a teachers strike. The strike, which began on Jan. 19, left 2,000 instructors and approximately 12,000 students stranded, with their education put on hold. Unbelievably, this was the sixth teachers strike in the state since 2022, and it shattered all records as the longest one yet, despite the fact that strikes are flat-out illegal in Massachusetts. Can you believe it? These teachers think they can just break the law whenever they feel like it!
Kids Finally Returned to School After a Lengthy Teachers Strike. Here’s How the Teachers Union Reacted. https://t.co/hZMWCGbIg2 #BreakingNews #Breaking #News #Politics #NewsUpdate #NewsUpdates #LatestNews #DailyNews pic.twitter.com/TMz5Cm6cfS
— Patriot Pointman 🇺🇸 (@PatriotPointman) February 7, 2024
The reason behind the strike? Money – isn’t it always? The Newton Teachers Association went head-to-head with Newton Public Schools for a whopping 10 months before their previous contract expired on August 31, 2023. This little showdown finally came to an end when a new contract was agreed upon, and boy, did the teachers get what they wanted. Let’s just say, they made out like bandits. The new deal includes a jaw-dropping 30% raise in starting salary for teacher aides, from $28,270 to $36,778 – talk about a nice chunk of change! Plus, the district also caved and promised to hire at least five more social workers at the elementary schools. And there’s more – brace yourself – they negotiated a 12% increase to annual cost of living adjustments for all educators over the next four years. It’s a wonder they didn’t ask for a private jet while they were at it!
But here’s the real kicker – these new terms are going to cost the Newton Public Schools an additional $53 million compared to the last contract. That’s right, $53 million! And as if that wasn’t enough, the return to work agreement ensures that no educators will face any consequences for their little 11-day hiatus. Can you imagine if the rest of us took an unauthorized 11-day vacation from work? We’d be out on the street faster than you can say “unemployment benefits.”
To add insult to injury, the teachers’ union negotiator, Ryan Normandin, had the audacity to pat himself on the back, claiming they taught their students to “stand up for themselves.” Can you believe the nerve of these people? They robbed innocent students of their education, caused chaos for parents, and now they’re acting like heroes? Give me a break!
In the words of Nicki Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, “You robbed your innocent students of the ability to receive an education.” Can you hear that? It’s the sound of common sense prevailing!
This isn’t the only instance of teachers causing mayhem – Townhall has covered how teachers unions across the country went on strike ahead of a much-anticipated return to full-time, in-person schooling. It’s no secret that these strikes result in learning loss and disrupt the lives of hardworking American families. But do the teachers’ unions care? Not likely! They seem more focused on their own agendas than on the well-being of the students and families they’re supposed to serve.
The Newton Teachers Association may have gotten their way for now, but let’s hope they remember that it’s the students who ultimately pay the price for their actions.
