Teachers Union Strike

The Andover Education Association, representing 800 educators constituting 75% of Andover Public Schools staff, made the decision to go on strike on Thursday, November 9, 2023. This action followed unsuccessful attempts to secure a contract through over two dozen bargaining sessions.

The union's primary objectives included advocating for equitable salary increases for teachers, improved compensation for instructional assistants, who ranked among the lowest-paid educators within the school system, additional elementary lunch and recess time for students, adoption of paid family leave policies consistent with those of comparable districts, safeguards for educator preparation time, and increased involvement in curriculum decision-making processes.

Friday, November 10th, the strike officially began with members of the teacher’s union picketing outside of school buildings. Schools closed to Andover students.

As the strike persisted, on November 14th, the Andover teachers union found itself subject to a $50,000 fine for its ongoing strike. An Essex Superior Court judge mandated that the Andover Education Association pay this fine to the state for not terminating the strike by Monday evening. In Massachusetts, teachers strikes are deemed illegal.