Members of the Marblehead Education Association have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12, if the Marblehead School Committee fails to negotiate a contract for all five bargaining units by Monday night, Nov. 11, the MEA announced Friday.
According to the MEA, a “staggering” 99% of MEA members voted in favor of the strike.
Around 4:15 p.m., Interim Superintendent John J. Robidoux sent an email to the school community canceling classes, including athletics and all other extracurricular activities on Tuesday, Nov. 12, due to what he called “an illegal strike.”
“Further information will be forthcoming,” he added.
Like a majority of states, Massachusetts has a state law, Section 9A of Chapter 150E, that prohibits public employees, including teachers, from going on strike.
When Newton teachers went on strike earlier this year, the teachers union began incurring daily fines that totaled $625,000 by the time the strike ended.
Members of the MEA were expected to speak to the media at an impromptu press conference at Seaside Park at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
This is a developing story. Check back at marbleheadcurrent.org for updates.
