Dedham Teachers Officially Get New Contract

Public school teachers in Dedham officially have a new contract.

The Dedham School Committee unanimously approved the four-year deal Tuesday night following the one-day teachers strike in the town last Friday. The strike forced the town to cancel classes.

The Dedham Education Association (DEA) and the school committee had reached a tentative agreement on Sunday.

The union was fighting for better pay and health care benefits, as well as sexual harassment protections. The agreement, ratified Monday by the union, included what DEA officials said was "a fair compensation package" and new leave policies.

“The Town of Dedham has a long, supportive and generous history of commitment to public education,” said Superintendent Michael Welch in a statement. “With this agreement finally settled, we can now get back to what we all love to do — work with colleagues and families to improve the lives of students and help them reach their maximum potential every single day.”

Classes resumed Monday. The two sides had been in negotiations for nearly two years.

It was the first teachers strike in Massachusetts in 12 years.