Boston Teachers Union Nurses Demand Safe, Healthy and Equitable Schools
Nurses stage a sit-in to warn current COVID-19 safeguards insufficient for protecting BPS students, staff
BOSTON — Boston Teachers Union nurses will conduct a sit-in protest at City Hall Plaza on Wednesday to demand Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius, and city leaders safely and equitably reopen schools for in-person instruction with verifiable assurance that proper COVID-19 safeguards and facilities upgrades are in place. The nurses and BTU members are also demanding “a seat at the table” to give meaningful feedback and input into reopening plans and decisions.
Currently, the draft reopening plans provided by BPS do not meet the standards necessary to ensure the safety of Boston school facilities, adequate staffing and supplies, and comprehensive guidance for families and school personnel regarding COVID-19. Reopening plans must be guided by health and safety considerations and led by health care experts.
More than one hundred Boston Teachers Union nurses are responsible for the health and safety of all 55,000+ BPS students. These health care professionals are left out of the reopening plan’s creation process, and are fighting for safer physical conditions in our schools.
The BTU Nurses have identified five demands in order for students to return to school safely:
Policies consistent with Safe Nursing Practice must be reviewed and approved by our nurses.
Rapid Testing must be in place for quick identification of COVID-19 in our school communities.
Sufficient PPE supplies, including fitted N95 masks for nurses and appropriate protective gear for all educators who need them must be obtained and supplied in adequate quantities by the District.
There should be adequate ventilation in all areas; cleaning and sanitizing policies must be strictly enforced; there must be isolation rooms and safe waiting areas near health offices, working sinks in all health offices, soap and paper towels in all bathrooms, working windows, and safe drinking water. Air quality and ventilation assessments must be done and the results must be made public.
Increase the number of substitute nurses and teachers, hire more psychologists, social workers, custodians, and other staff in order to support all students and to implement all safety protocols.
What: SCHOOL NURSES SIT DOWN FOR SAFE REOPENING
Who: Boston Teachers Union Nurses and Staff
*Speakers will be available on-site for press interviews
When: Wednesday, July 29, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Boston City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Sq, Boston MA, 02201
About the Boston Teachers Union
The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers and other professionals including school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers.
Together, we advocate for the interests of students, parents and education professionals throughout Boston. We support investment in public education to ensure a stronger future for our students and our city. As a union of educators, we are part of a movement that seeks to improve the quality of life for all working people.
We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families or colleagues.