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Lawrence TU Group 100- 360

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.

Berklee Group 1000 360

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.

MLSA 1000 360

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.

NB PSRPs

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.

Will you march with us?

Boston Pride for the People 2026

Boston’s Pride for the People is coming up on Saturday, June 6. It’s always one of the most fun days of the year—so don’t miss out! March with Boston Teachers Union and AFT MA for our students, for our communities, and for each other!

The parade exists to commemorate the brave LGBTQ+ people who risked their safety to advocate for the lives and humanity of LGBTQ+ people, to celebrate the richness and complexity of LGBTQ+ community, and to continue to advocate for equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people, especially those who face intersecting forms of oppression. To make the parade more accessible for everyone, all groups are limited to 75 marchers. If more than 75 marchers register, priority will be given to BTU and AFT MA members who identify as LGBTQ+.

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2026 Convention Recap

Convention 2026 Facebook Preview

The 2026 AFT Massachusetts Convention marked a year of strength in the face of unprecedented challenges. A diverse union, the AFT MA is always ready to RISE UP in solidarity and meet the moment. And that’s what this year’s convention was all about and what our theme was for this year.  

Even in the face of difficult times, from the affordability crisis to attacks on public education to widespread campaigns against the labor movement, the AFT Massachusetts still stands strong.

“In the labor movement, we must remember that every successful campaign is greater than one person—our power is in our solidarity and collective action,” President Tang told delegates. “We must not lose sight of the important role we play to support and safeguard one another as we work toward a common goal. And while the goal is important, we must always be willing to examine the way we get there, how it unites us, how it builds our power, and what risks we are willing to take to own our power. It is through our fights together that we create the world we would like to live and work in.”

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