May Day Rally In Worcester Focuses On Education Support Professionals

WORCESTER, MA — A coalition of labor and social justice groups will hold a rally on May Day in support of Worcester Public Schools education support professionals. The event begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday outside City Hall, 455 Main St.

Here's more from a Massachusetts Jobs With Justice news release:

Educational support professionals, who are members of the Educational Associates of Worcester (EAW), are essential to the functioning of Worcester Public Schools. They transport our students safely to school, feed them, and provide crucial health and educational support. ESPs guarantee that all Worcester's students have access to equitable and appropriate education regardless of learning or other disabilities. It is impossible to imagine our schools functioning without them. It is unacceptable that many of Worcester Public Schools' ESPs report a pattern of administrative neglect and mistreatment, low pay, insufficient staffing, and other grave concerns.

Our ESPs deserve a workplace where they're safe and respected. They deserve adequate compensation for their hard work and dedication. Worcester students deserve schools that are fully staffed, functional, and capable of providing for their diverse needs. Children of ESPs are impacted as students at Worcester Public Schools and children of caregivers who choose between careers working with the city’s children and time spent at home.

This situation can only be resolved when ESPs receive the compensation and treatment they deserve and have earned. To that end, We, the organizations and residents that comprise Worcester Community United and other local organizations and community groups,
respectfully request the following and affirm our full support for the contract demands of the ESPs, including:

• ESPs qualify for government assistance despite working full-time for Worcester Public Schools. Others have to work second and third jobs to provide for their families. ESPs, like all workers, deserve a living wage.
• Affordable Health Insurance. ESPs often receive "zero-dollar checks," with all their wages to health insurance premiums. They deserve better.
• Health and Safety. ESPs often face physical, verbal, and emotional abuse in the workplace and administrative reprisals. ESPs need adequate supplies, full staffing, training on OSHA rules, and whistleblower protections.
• Professional Development and Training. ESPs are not receiving adequate training and professional development to meet the needs of students. After two years of this pandemic and its impacts on student learning and behavior, now more than ever is the time for WPS to ensure high-quality, intentional, and focused training is structured for all ESPs.

Organizational Support

• (PUMA) Parents Union of Massachusetts
• Worcester Community United
• (WEJA)Worcester Education Justice Alliance
• Worcester Socialist Alternative
• (MNA) Massachusetts Nurses Association
• Independent Socialist Group
• Worcester Youth Community Collabo
• Neighbor to Neighbor Worcester
• Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party
• Worcester Interfaith
• Massachusetts Human Rights Commission
• Mass Political Caucus
• Progressive Labor Party
• Racism Free WPS
• Worcester Indivisible
• (WooTU) Worcester Tenant Union