Unvaccinated teachers in Boston will be allowed in city schools

BOSTON — Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu says the city has reached a deal with the Boston Teachers Union over vaccine requirements, while public safety unions demand to meet with city negotiators.

Wu says a memorandum of understanding will allow unvaccinated members of the teachers union to submit proof of two negative COVID-19 screening tests per week “during periods of lower virus transmission, the specifics of which are outlined in the agreement.”

“During periods of higher virus transmission, unvaccinated members will not be allowed in school buildings but may use some accrued time as an alternative to being placed on unpaid administrative leave,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.

The BTU is the city’s largest union.

“We are glad to have reached an agreement with the district that will uplift the health and safety of our educators, students, and communities, while still being able to retain our educators who have chosen to remain unvaccinated. The agreement takes important steps to promote public health and to mitigate classroom staffing disruptions,” said the BTU in the statement released by the mayor’s office.

News of the deal comes as public safety unions in Boston continue to fight with the mayor over vaccine mandates for city workers. Public safety unions have been successful in getting an appeals court to pause that mandate while the court examines the issue further.

“We are extremely disappointed by the way you have treated our collective four Public Safety Unions in the last twenty-four hours,” said public safety union representatives in a joint letter to Mayor Wu on Wednesday night.

The unions say the mayor’s office canceled a meeting Wednesday.

“We should take this opportunity to review what authority you have and what metrics are being used to guide your major citywide decisions regarding Covid-19. Several of the City’s surrounding communities have reviewed the Covid-19 related data available to them from the State and have determined that passports and vaccine mandates are unnecessary to promote public health,” said the unions in their letter.

“In light of the newly ratified deal with the Boston Teachers Union, we await clarification on your administration’s plan to remove hundreds of unvaccinated BPS professionals as provided in this MOA.” said the public safety unions.

The letter was signed by representatives of the Boston Firefighters Local 718, The Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association, and the Boston Police Superior Officer’s Federation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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