In a significant development, teachers in Newton, one of the most populous cities in Massachusetts, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, as announced by the Newton Teachers Association on Thursday evening.

During a rally and press conference held outside City Hall, the union president, Mike Zilles, declared that 98% of the membership voted in favor of commencing the strike the following morning. Zilles emphasized the teachers' message to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, stating, "Enough is enough."

Earlier in the day, the union released a statement expressing discontent with the lack of progress in negotiations with the mayor and the School Committee. "We are deeply disturbed that the mayor is insisting that schools are sufficiently funded," the statement read. Furthermore, the union expressed concern that while other districts have increased their allocations to public schools, Newton's schools are being underfunded.

Among the union's demands are funding a living wage for aides and behavior therapists, competitive pay raises for classroom teachers, increased hiring of social workers and support staff to address the student mental health crisis, and the establishment of modern paid family leave for all educators.

Amidst negotiations for a new contract that had been ongoing for over a year, Newton Public Schools' teachers continued their work in the classroom on Wednesday while parents showed their support outside Newton City Hall. The parents organized a rally to urge Mayor Fuller to take action, highlighting the educators' invaluable contributions and the need for equitable compensation.

The parents voiced their unwavering support for the teachers, with Shawn Fitzgibbons, a parent, stating that teachers in Newton "do an amazing job" but are not paid fairly. Another parent, Elizabeth Brill, asserted that throughout history, siding against teachers has never been the right choice.

Reflecting on the funding issue, another parent remarked that Newton Public Schools have been underfunded for several years.

Following the peaceful rally, a smaller group of parents had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Fuller inside City Hall. Later, Fuller addressed reporters, reaffirming her commitment to prioritizing funding for Newton Public Schools. However, when confronted with the claim that the schools had been underfunded for years, the mayor responded by expressing her intent to approach voters for an operating override, as Proposition 2 ½ restricts tax revenue.

As the strike commences, the Newton Teachers Association, backed by the overwhelming support of its membership, will exercise its collective bargaining power to make their demands heard and seek fair treatment for the educators. The strike serves as a clear indicator of the urgency to address the funding disparities and fulfill the needs of Newton's public schools.