DEDHAM, Mass. — Dedham Public School teachers will return to their classrooms on Monday after reaching a "tentative contractual agreement," according to a release from Dedham Public Schools.
That release said that the agreement between the Dedham Education Association and the Dedham School Committee came around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
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. Some issues they haven't agreed on are salary adjustments and health insurance.
The deal comes after marathon negotiations. Those talks stretched deep into the night and into Sunday morning, but they were back at it by noon.
Around 3:30 the announcement coming from the superintendent that they had a deal. A relief to teachers, and to parents and students.
"We have reached a fair and reasonable agreement with the Dedham Education Association," said the Dedham Schools Superintendent Michael Welch.
After a raucous few days that included a rally on Saturday, Dedham teachers and administrators reached a tentative contract deal late Sunday ending a one-day strike. That agreement will still need approval from the school committee and ratification from the teachers' union, but both sides believe it has the support.
The teachers' union is expected to vote on the agreement after classes on Monday.
>>PREVIOUS: No classes for Dedham Public Schools after teachers vote to go on strike
Among the gripes that teachers wanted addressed in a new contract: high-deductible health care plans and language covering sexual harassment.
The strike forced the administration to start talks with the teachers for the first time since August, with the goal of reaching a deal before Monday morning.
"The day when unions have to make concessions and work for less and do more work is over," said Tim Dwyer, the President of the Dedham Education Association. "We have a fair and decent contract, and we are moving forward into a new day."
The agreement is for four years total, though one of them is a retroactive year for the one that teachers worked without a contract.
For some parents and students, the news that school will apparently be open tomorrow falls under the category of, 'it's about time.'
"The thing that bothers me the most about it is it's almost two years since the teachers were without a contract," said Mary Reynolds, a Dedham parent. "And it seemed like they had plenty of time to get together and come closer."
"The teachers have been wearing these red shirts for a couple of years now that say DEA on it," said Michael Reynolds, a student at Dedham High School. "I like having the day off. I think having a few days off is fine. But I think the teachers and administrators need to get together and get to an agreement as soon as possible."
Still unanswered is whether the union will face a fine for ignoring a state order to go back to work. Superintendent Welch says that the potential fine was addressed.
"All of that is a part of the collective agreement that we have reached," he said, adding that the students will have to make up the one missed day of school somewhere during the year.
Congressman Joe Kennedy was in the picket lines on Friday and tweeted out:
Democratic presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders also showed their support.
Warren tweeted, "Teachers deserve the pay and resources they need to do their jobs well. I stand with Dedham public school teachers -- and I'll strengthen the ability of teachers and school staff to organize and bargain collectively."
Sanders tweeted:
Quincy public school teachers were the last to strike in Massachusetts, back in 2007. Quincy's teacher union went on a four-day strike and was fined $100,000.