MA Teachers Union To Protest In Falmouth Over 'Union Busting'

FALMOUTH, MA — Educators from across Massachusetts said they will protest Falmouth school administrators to defend teachers who have filed grievances against the district.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) will hold a rally at 5 p.m. Tuesday outside Falmouth High School to support the Falmouth Educators' Association. According to MTA officials, Superintendent Lori Duerr tried to "interfere and restrain the union from exercising its rights under state law." Union officials said Duerr also retaliated against Falmouth Education Association President Lori Andrade, placing her on paid leave when she filed contractual grievances on behalf of teachers.

Duerr denied Andrade's placement on leave had anything to do with union activities. She described it as a separate personnel matter.

"The decision to place an employee who is also an officer of the FEA on paid administrative leave was not an action taken against the union," Duerr said in an email sent to school staff Sunday. "I assure you that the allegation that the central office is engaged in 'union busting' could not be further from the truth. The Administration unequivocally supports all our unions and their work to represent you."

Union officials said the school district's interference has gone on for more than a year. A spokesperson for the MTA said it started as negotiations about coronavirus safety protocol and the return to in-person learning, but discussions broke down.

When those discussions broke down, union members filed grievances, and instead of continuing the conversation, school officials accused FEA members of harassing district administrators, according to MTA officials.

The union also accused school officials of conducting illegal surveillance on the Falmouth Educators' Association's activities.

"This is blatant union busting, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association will not tolerate what is happening in Falmouth," said MTA President Merrie Najimy. "Union educators in Falmouth, like their colleagues across the state, have been advocating for safe working and learning conditions. The district’s unwillingness to bargain and then to concoct a campaign designed to intimidate educators and create a chilling effect is despicable and unacceptable."

The Falmouth School Committee is expected to discuss Andrade's placement on leave at its meeting Tuesday.