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Select Board candidate Melissa Murphy’s self-portrayal as a paragon of civility reminds me of the time Ms. Murphy—on a local Facebook page devoted to school matters—used the word “*sshole” in describing teachers, saying “the (teacher’s) union also sucks,” and dropped the F-bomb.
What triggered these comments? Ms. Murphy was upset at the possibility of teachers attending a rally on Boston Common protesting Donald Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 election.
As we face our own local election on May 14–and a decision on whether to put Ms. Murphy or the far more reasonable and congenial Tara Gregory on our Select Board– it is important to revisit this episode to gain perspective on Ms. Murphy.
In October 2020, the Massachusetts Teachers Association invited members to rally on Boston Common on Nov. 4 in anticipation of Trump’s refusal to accept a loss in the presidential election. “Organized labor and its allied labor organizations must respond with nonviolent action to defend the democratic process, the Constitution and an orderly transfer of power that is one of the historic hallmarks of American democracy,” the MTA wrote.
Far from voicing support for such an effort, Ms. Murphy vehemently objected. She confused support for remote schooling during COVID with attending an outdoor rally whose purpose was to defend the democratic process. In a Reading Facebook group with 1k members, Ms. Murphy wrote, “So the unions/teachers that are fighting back to teach our children in schools are planning a large rally on Wednesday. What the actual f*uck!”
Ms. Murphy went on: “If you are a teacher that chooses not to teach in a classroom due to fear of Covid but then attend a rally you are an *sshole. Clear enough? There are MANY MANY amazing teachers out there right now busting their *ss and the union is holding them back. So the unions also suck.”
As the son of a teacher who would have been entirely unable to do in-person teaching during the pandemic due to long-term chemotherapy side effects, I was shocked to hear such a lack of empathy or nuance in Ms. Murphy’s comments.
Ms. Murphy’s profane attacks are reason enough to cast a vote for her opponent, Tara Gregory. But they also show that Ms. Murphy is a poor fit for a governing board that requires collaboration with and respect for numerous Reading unions.
In addition to the Reading Teacher’s Association, school and town employees are served by unions representing cafeteria staff, custodians, paraeducators, administrative secretaries, public works staff, engineers, firefighters, facilities staff, police, and public safety dispatchers.
Within the scope of employment contracts, these unions and their members have rights to express views and attend rallies, even on topics a Select Board member disagrees with or thinks might be somehow inconsistent with other union positions.
They have a right to do this without would-be elected officials like Melissa Murphy calling them “*ssholes” or saying their union “sucks.”
Vote on May 14 at the RMHS fieldhouse for Tara Gregory. Tara is a fire protection engineer who regularly works with union members and Town government officials. This is a person who respects other people, respects unions, and has consistently shown civility in public dialogue.
Kevin Leete
Main Street
