Union, Supporters Rally At South School Against Investigation

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover Education Association and supporters rallied outside South Elementary School, Wednesday afternoon, as part of their fight against an hostile work environment investigation at the school. The union says the investigation, announced last week, is an unlawful attempt to chill union participation. Dozens of people, including parents, former students, staff of the school and representatives from statewide groups, lined the road at the close of the school day.

Earlier in the day, an Essex Superior Court judge held a hearing on the union's request to place an injunction on the investigation; the case is still "under advisement." The union is also planning to go to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, according to AEA President Matthew Bach.

"People should not be afraid to participate in their union, to organize themselves," Bach said. "They feel that if they participate in the union, they're being surveilled."

Bach said the investigation was opened as a response by the district to an effort by a group of school staff to survey their colleagues on the climate of the school, and the rally was called as a "positive show of support" for teachers. District Superintendent Sheldon Berman says the administration did not know about the survey or teacher dissatisfaction with the school principal, and opened the investigation in response to a complaint brought to them.

The survey was undertaken with the union's guidance, Bach said, due to ongoing concerns about the treatment of teachers by the school's principal. The issue was brought to his attention immediately when he became the union president, in June. The survey shows the vast majority of teachers have an issue with the school's administration, not each other, he added.

"The teachers don't feel that the principal is treating them professionally," Bach said. "Teachers feel they treat each other with respect."

The survey was distributed shortly before Thanksgiving, Bach said. The district informed the school administration of their investigation Dec. 6, according to a letter Principal Tracey Crowley sent to parents on Dec. 9. The district has said the investigation involves allegations against AEA members, for creating a hostile work environment for other AEA members.

In a statement released after the rally, Superintendent Sheldon Berman again disputed the union's view of the hostile work environment investigation.

“The administration fully supports the rights of the AEA to meet and organize," Berman said. "However, we believe that our investigation of allegations by employees that other employees have created a hostile work environment for staff at South Elementary has been mischaracterized by the AEA. It is disappointing that the AEA apparently does not support an investigation of this complaint which, if true, involves unacceptable working conditions for school employees.”

The AEA represents around 800 members district-wide, including over 70 at the school.

Sue Gentile, a staff member of the school, said she attended the protest in support of the teachers.

"The teachers exercised their rights, and they have been retaliated against," Gentile said.

Among the protesters who came from further afield were the "Wisdom Warriors," a group of activist retired teachers.

"To have a good school, teachers have to be comfortable speaking up. This school is doing the opposite of that," said Elaine Koury, the group's leader.

Bach said his hope was that after the rally, the administration would "see the light and have a conversation instead of an investigation."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.