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North Shore teachers protesting stalled contract negotiations enter ‘work-to-rule’ [Video]

Educator unions in several North Shore schools voted by more than 99% to enter into “work-to-rule,” which started Friday.Teachers in Beverly, Gloucester, Marblehead, and Revere held morning standouts and walk-ins to protest stalled contract negotiations.”Work-to-rule” means teachers are only doing their contractual obligations. The goal is to show how they routinely go above and beyond. According to North Shore Educators United, unions have been in negotiations with their respective School Committees since February. Teachers took to the front steps of Rumney Marsh Academy in Revere to protest that they’ve been without a contract since June 30.It’s extremely frustrating that we’ve had 10 bargaining sessions, and we’re still talking about the same proposals, the same crisis over and over again, Revere Co-President Jane Chapin said.On the eve of the “work-to-rule” action, Beverly’s School Committee sent a message to families.”The School Committee strongly believes there is a mutual desire for a new contract as soon as possible. Our bargaining team continues to negotiate in good faith to reach a contract that is fair to all educators and staff, while working within the city’s budget parameters, the message read.While every school district has its unique challenges, teachers in Revere said they’re fighting for smaller class sizes, paid parental leave, longer lunch and recess times for the youngest learners and a living wage for all staff.The school committee has the ability to solve these problems today. Our schools are in a crisis, we are particularly in a staffing crisis, Chapin said. Revere teachers said the work-to-rule is going to be rotating on a daily basis between schools in the district.