Waltham committee ratifies trades pact as six unions await deals
School Committee · Meeting of September 2, 2026
Waltham ratifies a school trades contract as five other unions demand the same after 428 days without one. The School Committee unanimously approved a three-year deal with the Massachusetts Laborers District Council Local 272 building trades unit, adding 2.5 percent raises each year through 2028 and new top salary steps worth $750 more. But secretaries, custodians, IT staff, food service workers and administrators packed public comment to protest their own stalled talks; WSSA Clerical Unit president Christine Shifley cited "428 days without one," while WSAA president Derek Vandergrift said the pace tells members "our service, our dedication and our loyalty to Waltham does not matter." The committee also adopted the state's new PROTECT Act policy on school interactions with civil immigration enforcement, one day past a September 1 deadline, and approved a three-year districtwide equity plan.
Superintendent Marissa Mendonza was rated "proficient" overall in her annual evaluation.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,063 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of September 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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