Medford teachers accept pay freeze

By John Laidler
Globe correspondent

Members of the city's teachers union recently voted to accept a one-year freeze in their contracted 3 percent pay raise for next fiscal year, according to Mayor Michael J. McGlynn.

The vote on April 30 was 228-38. The teachers union became the fourth school union to accept the freeze, which city officials have sought as a way to reduce layoffs next year.

McGlynn said the pay freeze from the teachers union alone would save about $800,000, and that overall savings from the four unions are just over $1 million.

The teachers union's vote came after the city issued pink slips to 160 teachers. McGlynn said it is premature to estimate how many of those jobs could be saved by the union's vote because state aid and other variables are still in flux. But he said, "Without question, the union leadership, with the support of its members, has helped to protect education in a major way."