Fines for Teachers Delayed

BOSTON —  Leaders of a striking teachers union in suburban Chelsea have been fined $40,000 for ignoring a back-to-work order, but the fines have been suspended pending a hearing.

Meanwhile, teachers stayed out of classes and formed picket lines Friday for the sixth day after another night of talks broke off without progress, officials said.

About 255 teachers are involved in a dispute over pay that has given the city’s 3,400 students an unexpected spring vacation.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Morse levied the fines on union leaders Thursday for contempt of court, but suspended them pending a hearing on Monday.

The teachers have ignored a back-to-work order from the state Labor Relations Commission, a temporary restraining order that Morse issued Monday and a preliminary injunction issued last week.

The Chelsea teachers’ union began striking last Friday and says it won’t return to work without a contract offer that includes a pay hike this year. The city has said it has no money for raises this year, but has offered an 18% hike over the following three years.

Union President Edwin Weinstein said a beginning teacher has a starting salary of $12,000 and beginning custodians and cafeteria workers start at $13,400.

“It takes a teacher 12 to 15 years to make the same gross income of custodians (starting salary),” he said.

The union says teacher pay in Chelsea ranges from $12,745 to $22,500 yearly.