Aftermath of Quincy teachers strike will go on for years, at least financially

By DIANA SCHOBERG
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY – It could be years until the final cost of the 2007 teachers’ strike is finally determined. Still under debate: how much the teachers union must pay of a $150,000 court-imposed fine for ignoring a back-to-work order and how much the union owes the city for the costs of the strike.

Quincy Education Association President Paul Phillips said he’s been told by the courts that a decision on the final figure may not be ready until June 2009.

``This is going to take a long time,'' Phillips said.

The city is tallying how much the teachers union owes it for extra costs related to the strike. That’s being complicated by several grievances that have been filed by other school-related unions, asking for payment for the four days off work they had because of the strike.

It’s likely that the decision about whether the district has to pay other employees for the time off will likely go on to arbitration, said David Murphy, a spokesman for Mayor William Phelan.

That means that it will take even longer until the city has a final figure ready for the teachers’ union. He declined to estimate a range, saying the outcome of the grievances will greatly affect how much the union owes.

``The city won’t estimate the cost and charge the teachers union until that can actually be determined,'' Murphy said. ``It will be some time before the grievances are resolved.''

Once the city does come up with a final figure for damages, the teachers union has a right to question the numbers, Phillips said.

The total damages amount may also end up in arbitration. And finally, once the city and the union settle on a dollar figure, it is up to the judge to decide whether the court-imposed fine can be used toward the damages or if the amount owed the city will be in addition to what is imposed by the court.

In the meantime, the teachers union has appealed the $150,000 court-imposed fine, Philips said. The Boston Teachers Union was fined $30,000 earlier this year for threatening to strike – reduced from an initial penalty of $70,000. Boston teachers signed a contract and never actually missed school.

While there may be plenty of time for the teachers union to get its finances in order, Phillips said the questions about how much it will actually know are complicating fundraising efforts. ``It’s hard to do when you don’t know,'' he said.

Diana Schoberg may be reached at dschoberg@ledger.com.