East Providence teacher contract expires

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The East Providence teacher’s union is expected to meet this weekend to vote on what action to take after its contract expired on Friday.

Parents and grandparents NBC 10 spoke with had mixed feelings about a possible action by the teachers on Monday.

“I really want my kids to be in school on Monday,“ one parent said. “I really hope they can come to a conclusion to this on Sunday night because my kids need to be in school.“

“If they are striking for a good cause, they have a right to strike,“ one grandparent said.

The city is $4 million in debt.

An attorney for the school committee told NBC 10 that most of the shortfall could be made up if teachers agreed to pay part of their health insurance costs.

The union argues that teachers have agreed to pay a portion.

No new talks have been scheduled.