AFT Massachusetts | AFT Stateweb

PreK-12 Teachers

More than 1 million members strong, the AFT's Public Education unit has become a major force for preserving and strengthening a national commitment to reclaiming the promise of American education. It all began more than 100 years ago: A group of Chicago teachers, reasoning that theirs was a noble profession, organized themselves to share resources and build respect for the invaluable work they were doing. Those early efforts led to the birth of a national teachers union in 1916 that has been in the vanguard of every major advancement in American public education ever since.

Higher Education

The AFT represents higher education faculty (including both full- and part-time), professional staff and graduate employees, in all sectors of higher education—public and private, two-year and four-year institutions of higher education. The AFT Higher Education division's mission is to help our affiliates and their members prosper in the face of political, economic and technological forces challenging the most basic assumptions about the union's role on campus.

Public Employees

As a union of professionals, AFT Public Employees division is committed to improving the quality of government services we provide to our communities. Reclaiming the promise of high-quality public services is about fighting for first-rate public services that our support communities and keep them safe, healthy and vibrant. It’s about fighting to ensure that our communities’ tax dollars are properly invested back into the community, and that those resources are used responsibly and safely. Finally, it’s fighting to make sure public employees are well-prepared and supported so they can provide our communities with the high-quality services the public needs and deserves.

Paraprofessionals & School-Related Personnel

The AFT has organized paraprofessionals and school-related personnel since the early 1930s, when the first PSRP affiliate, the Education Secretaries of Chicago, was founded. Today, the AFT PSRP division sets a foundation for high-quality education by supporting meaningful professional development, promoting health and safety in the workplace, and demonstrating the importance of a strong and just work ethic in a bully-free environment. Most important is its commitment to safe and welcoming schools and colleges for students who deserve high-quality food programs; reliable school buses; clean, secure buildings; efficiently run offices; and well-trained staff.

AFT Massachusetts Lobby Day!

Join fellow AFT Massachusetts members from across the Commonwealth for our 2025 legislative lobby day on Wednesday, June 25, 2025! RSVP today!

What’s a lobby day, you ask? It’s a fun and easy way for members to gather in community and win support from our elected officials for key legislation that we’re fighting to pass to secure support and funding for our schools, our retirees, and our paraprofessionals. We’ll chat with legislators and their staff to share our experience and expertise as educators—you’ll be trained and supported throughout the day!

There is nothing more powerful than your story. Legislators need to hear from our members about exactly how legislation before them this session could transform our lives, our schools and our communities.

AFT Massachusetts Showcases Success of Community Schools and CTE Education Pathways on Merrimack Valley Tour

AFT President Randi Weingarten welcomed at schools in Lowell and Lawrence by union leaders, educators, students, and local officials!

AFT Massachusetts hosted AFT President Randi Weingarten’s trip to the Merrimack Valley earlier this month, where local leaders and educators highlighted two key priorities of the state federation: community schools and career and technical education.

Through various coalitions and advocacy campaigns, the AFT Massachusetts has been strong proponents for investing in and expanding opportunity for community schools and CTE pathways. The day included on-site discussions with local and national leaders about the unique contributions each school makes to the region and the role they play in lifting up the families and communities they serve.

AFT Massachusetts along with a broad coalition of educators, school districts, nonprofits, and labor unions won a preliminary injunction today that will halt the Trump Administration’s unlawful effort to dismantle the Department of Education.

In March, the AFT Massachusetts, along with coalition members, was the first to challenge Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s massive reduction-in-force at the U.S. Department of Education. This not only gutted the department of the staff levels necessary to operate, but greatly decimated the crucial services and protections millions of students, teachers, and communities across the country rely on.

“While today’s decision will provide some relief, the damage is already being felt in our schools – by our students, especially the most vulnerable, and our educators,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “We have the utmost confidence in the virtue and facts of our case. The White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting on behalf of our students and our public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”