Andover Teachers' Strike Continues Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute

Union demands 16% raise for all teachers and improved benefits, while School Committee offers targeted raises; negotiations continue as classes for 5,500 students remain cancelled.

• The Andover Education Association, representing over 800 educators, is on strike demanding a 16% pay raise for all teachers over three years, improved benefits, and higher pay for instructional aides.
• The School Committee has proposed a 23% raise for starting teachers and an 11% raise for top-level teachers over three years, but the union wants the same percentage increase for all teachers.
• The union is also advocating for a minimum salary of $40,000 for instructional aides, who currently start at just over $25,000 a year, a figure the union says is far below a living wage.
• In addition to pay raises, the union is seeking longer recess times at elementary schools, improved parental and family leave policies, and more educator input in curriculum decisions.
• Despite it being illegal for teachers unions in Massachusetts to strike, the Andover teachers have continued their strike, with negotiations ongoing. The School Committee has threatened further legal action to end the strike.

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