Teachers protest to get contract

Teachers protest to get contract Have been negotiating with 'nothing to show for it'

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Doneen Durling Teachers filled the center of the rotary at Elm Street after school Thursday to call attention to the fact that teachers have been without a contract since July 1. From left, teachers Sue Ecklund, Paris Henderson and Sonja Burkhardt hold signs as passersby honked horns in support. Andrew Mansfield Reporter GARDNER — Gardner teachers and the city continue to be at a negotiating standstill, as the two sides have disagreed on some proposed changes and teachers have been working without a new contract since July. Negotiations between the Gardner Education Association teachers’ union and the School Committee have taken place since last March “with almost nothing to show for it,” according to Gardner Education Co-President and Gardner High School history teacher Mark Hawkins. He and other teachers in the union held what they referred to as a “stand-out” Thursday afternoon, coming together as a unified front at the intersection of Pearl Street and Elm Street. Teachers rotated throughout the afternoon, forming a wall along the edge of the traffic island with about 20 of them at a time. “It’s important to say this isn’t just about salary. We don’t want that to come across as our main sticking point; that it’s about the money,” said Gardner Education Co-President and Gardner Middle School guidance counselor Deborah Leone. The sayings on the posters and the mood among the teachers were fairly positive, even cheery, with attention-grabbing lines like “If you can read this, thank a teacher” being displayed for drivers to see. They certainly enjoyed many favorable responses, as drivers often slowed down and beeped in support. Hawkins and Leone said the show of solidarity among teachers was meant to make people aware of their situation. Hawkins added that the lack of a new contract has had “zero impact on the kids and schools,” as teachers have been working under the terms of the previous, expired three-year deal this school year, but said that predicament “makes it hard to make changes necessary to move the schools forward.” Superintendent Denise Clemons said “there’s no contention” between the administration and teachers stemming from teacher dissatisfaction over their contract situation, saying she does not have any complaints about their performance this school year. The union and the School Committee are currently in mediation with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, which took part in a December meeting. Another meeting in late February has been scheduled. Massachusetts Teachers Association field representative Barbara Connery said “both parties agreed we should give it a try” and will split the cost of mediation. Due to the legalities involved, nobody could talk in specific terms about why negotiations have failed so far to render a deal. However, Hawkins and Leone said that the district is on a downward trend in losing both its teachers and students to other districts, and they believe teachers are “worth the investment” to keep the district strong. “One of our concerns is we want to retain our teachers. We want kids that live in Gardner to stay in Gardner,” said Leone. Hawkins said “we’re losing good, young teachers,” and added “we want to get back there” to the situation in years past when the school gained more students through School Choice than it lost. Mayor Mark Hawke serves as chairman of the School Committee, and has been serving in an “advisory” role for the negotiations so far, as three members of the School Committee are selected to primarily negotiate with the teachers. With the city election taking place this past November and Jennifer Pelavin being added last week to fill the unexpired term of City Councilor James Boone, who resigned from his committee position after being elected to a council seat, the School Committee will have a different negotiating team for the upcoming February meeting. “We’re hopeful with the new School Committee members this will get done,” said Hawkins. Hawke said “the responsibility is mine” to ensure the city’s teachers and students are both being properly supported, describing the goal of achieving both as a “delicate balance.” “Given the nature of things, it is possible I may enhance my role (in the negotiation),” he said. During his tenure as mayor, he said he’s been a part of 21 negotiations with city unions (not the school unions), and only one of those has gone to mediation, which ultimately was settled outside mediation. However, in terms of overall context, he added that “it’s not surprising” for negotiations like these to extend for a prolonged length of time. As for Thursday’s showing, Hawkins said teachers from every building were represented and he approximated that 25 to 35 percent of the district’s teachers showed up to take turns holding signs. He said teachers have been standing outside their respective buildings on Friday mornings to make their cause known and the union will continue to attend School Committee meetings. “We will have more things to say; we want to keep everything positive,” said Leone. Clemons said the teachers have given “no pushback” to what was been demanded of them this school year. “Looking at the report card, a lot of heavy lifting needs to be done. Everyone wants what’s best for the kids,” she said. Hawkins has been around for several contract negotiations. He is a 23-year veteran of the district. “It (not agreeing to terms) has happened in the past, but it hasn’t been this long. It’s a shame,” he said.