Dedham Public School teachers vote to accept new contract with district

DEDHAM, Mass. — Dedham Public School teachers have voted unanimously to accept a new contract with the school district.

At a meeting on Monday, the Dedham Education Association voted to accept the new contract they had reached on Sunday with the Dedham School Committee.

Announced on Sunday night, the contract was deemed as fari for both negotiating parties.

"We have reached a fair and reasonable agreement with the Dedham Education Association," said the Dedham Schools Superintendent Michael Welch.

Classes were canceled Friday as teachers picketed and held signs. They said they had been trying to negotiate a contract for two years and striking was the last option.

Since it's illegal for public school teachers to go on strike in Massachusetts, part of the agreement on Sunday was to resolve any legal issues connected to the one day last week where teachers were out of the classroom.

"We will make it up at the end of the school year and it will be similar to a snow day and just one day on to our calendar," said Rachel Dudley, chair of the bargaining team.

Students will also have to make up a school day.

"The idea that unions should be required to give things back automatically even in good times that has to end and that ends in Dedham now," said Tim Dwyer.

Teachers called it a "major victory" and said they were happy to be back in the classroom on Monday.

As part of the strike, teachers were pushing for better pay and health insurance, but also wanted to include language in their new contract that would help them in cases of sexual harassment.

"One of the biggest things that we were so excited about is that we got some protection for our members to appeal if they think that an investigation of sexual harassment has not been treated well or treated fairly," said Dudley.

Teachers were also pushing for language in their contract that dealt with technology and their students, making it clear what they can and cannot have in the classroom, such as smart watches.

"I’ve noticed a real uptick of students with even the watches so they look like they aren’t on their phones," said Dudley.

The next step is merely a formality, but the school committee still has to vote on the contract, but members have already voiced their support for the agreement.

The new contract will be valid for four years, one of those years being a retroactive measure to make up for the school year that teachers went without a contract.

>> MORE: Dedham public school teachers reach 'tentative agreement'

Cox Media Group