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AFT Massachusetts Distributes 45,000 Free Books to Students in Salem and Peabody

The American Federation of Teachers, AFT Massachusetts, the Salem Teachers Union, and the Peabody Federation of Teachers distributed thousands of free books to local students on Saturday, December 1, 2018 through a partnership with First Book.

“Teachers from across our districts were thrilled to help select books for our students to take home and read,” said Salem Teachers Union President Ann Berman. “The event was a huge success, and it felt great to be able to help so many kids and their families by giving them the gift of reading.”

The Lawrence Public Schools (LPS) cannot afford another charter school. The state already underfunds LPS by $49 million, according to one estimate.² Worsening that deficit is the fact that LPS already pays out more than $21 million every year in tuition to charter schools. If Equity Lab is approved, an additional $8 million annually would be diverted from the LPS budget, cutting further into the academic programs, enrichment activities, and social services our students need and deserve. The state needs to fully fund our public schools before approving any new charters.

This year, two AFT Massachusetts locals created podcasts to communicate with their members and the general public.

“With all of the different forms of communication people use today, it’s important for our local unions to reach out in every way possible. Teachers in Lowell and Boston are using podcasts to connect with each other, share important information about our schools, and organize to improve our profession and the lives of our students,” said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos. “It’s easy to get started listening to a podcast or even creating your own. Talk to other members of your union – maybe you’ll be the next AFT local with a podcast!”

A new partnership between the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts, the Lynn Teachers Union, and a group of high school students from Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI) aims to raise funds to purchase 15,000 books for Lynn students via First Book.

In an effort to promote literacy, students from LVTI SkillsUSA chapter reached out to AFT Massachusetts to build a team of committed educators and students whose primary goal is to get more books in the hands of young people in their community.

“Our Chapter of SkillsUSA is excited about this opportunity to give back to the

UMass Dartmouth Faculty Federation Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The UMass Faculty Federation, Local 1895, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, celebrated its 50^thAnniversary this week with a gathering at the Claire T. Carney Library Living Room at UMass Dartmouth.

“Faculty and staff at UMass Dartmouth have been able to accomplish so much because of 50 years of hard work and solidarity by generations of dedicated Federation members,” said Dr. Catharine M. Curran, PhD, President of the UMass Dartmouth Faculty Federation. “As we enter our sixth decade as a union, we are stronger as a faculty and as a campus because of all the committed and excellent

AFT Massachusetts has launched a new member-driven ad campaign, featuring AFT Massachusetts members speaking to each other about why they're sticking with the union. AFT members will start seeing these video clips on Facebook, Twitter, and other websites this month.

The ads feature AFT members from all across the state talking about why they value their union, and why being part of the AFT is so important to them.

The Lynn Teachers Union and the Lynn Public Schools this week began offering an English as a Second Language (ESL) class for Lynn parents.

Twenty-five parents with students from four Lynn elementary schools, Breed Middle School, Lynn Classical High School, and Lynn English High School attended the first class at the Lynn Teachers Union offices on Tuesday morning.

“It was amazing how many parents wanted this — after we announced the class, we got more than 75 calls, and ended up with 25 people on the waitlist,” said Sheila O'Neil, President of the Lynn Teachers Union. “The enthusiasm was

AFT Massachusetts, representing 23,000 educators from all across Massachusetts, is incredibly proud to support Jay Gonzalez for Governor!

Jay will be a fierce advocate for our students and teachers on Beacon Hill. He knows that the status quo isn’t working for Massachusetts students,

“Jay has an aspirational vision for an education system that gives every student the resources they need to succeed. Jay has outlined a plan to fully fund our schools and libraries, fix the broken Foundation Budget, and make our public colleges affordable again,” said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos.

“I’m

Thousands of Boston-area public school families attended a fun-filled and educational Back To School Fair on Saturday, September 22, sponsored by members of the Boston Teachers Union (BTU). Among the attractions were music and activities for students of all ages, free books and educational materials and resources for parents from community partners.

At the Boston Teachers Union Hall and Carson Beach on a sunny Saturday in September, educators hosted students, parents and neighbors to usher in a new school year, provide resources, have fun, and build community.

“It's a pleasure to be able to see

AFT Massachusetts Distributes 45,000 Free Books to Students in Salem and Peabody

Stand Up For ALL Lawrence Students

‘Straight Talk’ and ‘Teachers on Teaching’: Podcasting in Lowell and Boston

Help Lynn Vocational Technical Institute Students, the Lynn Teachers Union, and AFT Give Free Books to Lynn Kids!

Massachusetts Teachers and School Staff Stand with Massachusetts Nurses

UMass Dartmouth Faculty Federation Celebrates 50th Anniversary

AFT Massachusetts Launches Member-Driven Ad Campaign

Lynn Teachers Union and Lynn Public Schools Collaborate to Provide ESL Classes for Parents

Phone Banks for Jay Gonzalez

BTU Members Host Back To School Fair for Public School Families