Marblehead School Custodian Contract Standoff Extended

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The latest negotiating session between the Marblehead School Committee Bargaining Sub-committee and the Marblehead Education Association produced little, if any, momentum toward a new deal for school custodians or a greater agreement on a collective-bargaining agreement with school staff.

School Committee member Sarah Fox released a statement on the session, outlining the district's proposal and saying that talks broke off Monday night when the MEA "refused to move on their wage proposals."

• 'Seems Insurmountable': Marblehead Teacher Contract Wage Proposal Gap Still Wide

The School Committee has proposed a 16 percent increase for custodians, bus drivers and maintenance workers in the first year of a new deal, followed by a 2.5 percent in the second year of the contract and a 2 percent increase in the third year.

The proposal also increases the night differentials for custodians.

"The Sub-Committee was hopeful both parties would be able to reach an agreement tonight and continues to work towards this goal, in the best interest of our students, staff and community," the School Committee said.

The latest bargaining session comes days after the last School Committee meeting when the MEA presented a letter signed by nearly 700 staff and residents urging movement on wage and other proposals to reach a deal, and the School Committee responded with a lengthy presentation during which members said the MEA proposal would require either a $7.6 million tax override or the elimination of 15 percent of all school staff (75 equivalent positions).

"The crisis in our schools is undeniable," said MEA Co-President Jonathan Heller after that meeting. "Chronic staff turnover and low wages have created an environment that is unsustainable for both educators and students. It's time for the School Committee to acknowledge the severity of this situation and work collaboratively with us to find real solutions."

While School Committee Chair Jennifer Schaeffner said at the meeting that "we have made progress, we absolutely have" in talks toward a new deal in several areas, Fox said on wage increases: "There is still a gap that seems insurmountable from a funding standpoint."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)