“We condemn all forms of violence, including political violence. This year alone, there have been 47 school shootings with 19 lives lost. Right now, educators across the country are focused on providing their students a safe space to learn and grow at a time when many are living in fear. We hope that the same things we teach in the classroom - how to engage in debate thoughtfully and peacefully, the importance of empathy and critical thinking, and non-violent conflict resolution – can find their way back into our society and public discourse.

“Freedom of speech is also a hallmark of our country. It is alarming that we're seeing a widespread increase in efforts to silence and penalize Americans for speaking on a matter of public concern in a private capacity. The First Amendment should apply to all, not the few. When an educator is put on leave, the impacts are felt in the classroom, with our students losing out on valuable instruction time. It is important that all who are targeted receive due process rights, another hallmark of our democracy and country, and we will vigorously defend their rights.   

“Instead of having serious conversations about the gun violence epidemic that has gripped our nation and our schools, we’re having to address the impacts of targeted bullying and harassment - both of which have no place in the classroom or in our democracy.”

At marches and rallies, picnics and parades, Workers’ Labor Day is a celebration of working people. And it’s a celebration of the power we have when we come together in a union—the power to take back our country for working people, not billionaires. 

Workers deserve the freedom, fairness and security that comes with a union. That’s why every organizing campaign, every strike, is an act of radical hope. We bet our solidarity and our collective power that working people can live a better life—one where we don’t have to struggle to afford food, housing and health care; where no one is targeted for who they are or where they were born; and where we can raise children and retire in dignity. 

This year, we brought together residents, elected leaders, organizations, and unionists from across the state to march in unity at the 2025 Boston Labor Day Parade.

Organized along with our union siblings at the Greater Boston Labor Council and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, we saw unmatched energy among the thousands who joined us. The parade route we marched included a number of historic sites, where we were able to honor the victories as we build upon the movement of today. 

 The contract will cover four years, beginning on September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2029. Over the course of the contract, educators will see increases to their salaries that take into account the true cost of living and other fiscal realities residents across the region face. For the 2025-2026 school year, educators will see an 8 to 12 percent salary increase, with a three percent annual increase over the remaining three years of the contract.

“This is a fair contract for the teachers of Peabody, one that is competitive to ensure we’re able to retain and recruit the educators our students deserve,” said PFT President Mike Hawes. “Throughout this process, we maintained a positive and open working relationship with the administration, which allowed us to deliver a stronger, more inclusive contract than we’ve seen before.”

“Peabody benefits when our schools are more equitable and inclusive, for both our students and our educators,” continued Hawes. “Creating stronger, more supportive workplaces for our educators results in stronger classrooms that take into account the specific needs of our students. This contract is a win for teachers, for students, and for the entire community.” 

As educators across the state gear up to return to school, the paras in New Bedford are off to a stronger start.

In July, the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals secured a new, three-year contract for its members featuring strong salary increases across-the-board, ratification and retention bonuses, and stipends.

"This contract recognizes the important role paraeducators play in classrooms across New Bedford," said Nancy Furtado, who has worked as a paraeducator in the city for 25 years. "On top of across-the-board pay raises, this contract includes ratification and retention bonuses and stipends for paras working with high-needs students. By having strong leadership and an engaged Superintendent, we were able to win big things for New Bedford paraeducators."