MHS athletes produce video supporting teachers in contract battle

The night before Marblehead educators sit down for their next contract bargaining session with the School Committee bargaining subcommittee on Monday, nearly 20 Marblehead High School athletes released a video they produced showing their support for educators.

Seniors Will Cerruti, Nate Assa and Jonah Potach organized the video. In a message to the Current, Potach explained that if teachers go on strike, academics and athletics would stop.

“One, we love our teachers. They suport us all the time and now is our time to support them,” he said. “And two, we want to be able to represent our town in these state championships and these meets and these races and games, playoff games, whatever it is. We want to represent our town. And if we aren’t given the opportunity to do that, then that would honestly be really disappointing and sad for a lot of us because we’ve worked really hard for this.”

Teachers have been working without a new contract since the end of August. The Marblehead Education Association is asking for higher wages, better family leave benefits and more of a say in creating safety protocols.

The School Committee has said the district cannot afford the 38% wage increase sought by educators.

The two sides have been negotiating since March. They meet again Monday afternoon.

Here is the students’ video.