A Massachusetts judge has ruled that the Andover Education Association, the union representing Andover educators, will face escalating fines if teachers continue their strike, which commenced on Friday. The court order from an Essex Superior Court judge states that should the strike not conclude by 6 p.m. Monday, the union will be fined $50,000. Furthermore, if the strike persists beyond 3 p.m. Tuesday, an additional fine of $60,000 will be imposed, with subsequent fines increasing by $10,000 for each subsequent day of the strike.

As negotiations between the Andover School Committee and the union continued, members of the union returned to the picket lines on Monday morning, cancelling classes. They also gathered for a brief solidarity rally on the Town Common. Saturday's negotiation session saw the School Committee propose a four-year plan for a 14% increase for teachers and a 23.4% increase for instructional assistants. In response, the union presented a counter-proposal suggesting an 18% increase for teachers and a 34% increase for instructional assistants over the same period.

Expressing concerns over the fiscal implications, the School Committee declared in a statement, "If the School Committee accepted these wage proposals, our budget would be unsustainable and would result in layoffs. Accepting the AEA's latest offer will have a meaningful negative impact on other parts of the school budget." Meanwhile, the union released a statement stating that the School Committee had claimed it was making its "last best offer" and was prepared to close schools if the union rejected it, leaving instructional assistants feeling disrespected and undervalued by the employer.

To support students during the strike, the school committee will provide boxed breakfasts and lunches at the Bancroft Elementary between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., as well as between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The town will also offer various services for students during the day, including a block party for middle and high school students at the Cormier Youth Center. Athletics and theater rehearsals will continue, with parents being advised to contact coaches or directors for further information.

With the strike ongoing, union members will return to the picket lines on Monday morning and convene for a brief solidarity rally on the Town Common at 11:30 a.m. The escalating fines imposed by the court order hang over the union as negotiations and efforts to find a resolution continue.