Springfield teachers hold standout ahead of contract negotiations

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Teachers at one Springfield public school called attention to their needs by participating in a standout Wednesday morning.

With their blue shirts and blue signs in hand, Sumner Avenue Elementary School teachers participated in that standout. “We are doing more and more each year and we’re really looking for the district not only to acknowledge that, but to show us that they support us and appreciate us,” said Sumner Avenue Elementary School special education teacher Christine Jasiewicz.

Acknowledging the 318 days teachers have gone working without a contract, Jasiewicz said, right now, the district is not offering the teachers what they need. “It’s been disheartening to see not a single school committee member has actually made it out to bargaining, neither has the superintendent, that leaves us wondering why they’re not there,” she added.

With negotiations still going on and concerns growing, teachers are hoping negotiations don’t spill into the new school year. “I know the district is planning to add many new positions, but the problem is we already have hundreds of positions open, how do you plan to attract new people, if your salary and benefits aren’t competitive, they’re not fair,” Jasiewicz noted.

The main benefits that the teachers are asking for are a cost-of-living increase, a return to 15 sick days, and paid family and medical leave. “Springfield does have a competitive salary for teachers in their first, second, and third years, but then it starts to fall off and by the time you hit step 12, which is our last step, teachers are getting paid thousands of dollars more in other districts,” Jasiewicz noted.

Western Mass News reached out to Springfield Public Schools for comment and they provided us with the following statement: “Springfield Public Schools deeply values our educators and the essential role they play every day. The district remains committed to reaching a fair and respectful agreement with the Springfield Education Association, and we are eager to bring negotiations to a positive resolution as quickly as possible.”

The next negotiation session is scheduled Wednesday afternoon.