“While we would have preferred a candidate with more statewide experience and have concerns about how this search process was conducted, we hope that Pedro Martinez will live up to the ideals of the Commonwealth and be the type of Commissioner our educators and students deserve.  

“If we are going to truly meet the needs of our students and communities during this tumultuous time in public education, it’s imperative that the incoming Commissioner builds consensus and elevates the voices of educators, students, and families most impacted. Our next Commissioner – especially one unfamiliar with the Massachusetts education landscape – must put in the work to do this and earn the trust of the union educators who dedicate their lives to providing for our students and advocating for the services they need and the exceptional education they deserve.”

Advocates and community leaders are sounding the alarm in Lynnfield, where residents are at risk of seeing the Lynnfield Public Library (LPL) stripped of critical programming, staff, and hours, while losing access to the entire Massachusetts network of library materials and resources. 

“Each day, nearly 400 residents walk through our doors at the Lynnfield Public Library knowing that we are there to help and provide all Lynnfield residents with equal access to educational, informational, cultural, and recreational opportunities and services.” said Patricia Kelly, who has worked at LPL for nearly three decades and is currently serving as LPL’s Head of Reference and the President of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association. “Whether it be through creating community spaces to bring people together, connecting residents with outside cultures and histories, or helping people navigate critical services through our ever-expanding digital world, we’ve worked hard to ensure the library serves as a cornerstone of the Lynnfield community.” 

AFT Leading the Charge for Access to R+ (Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan)

For decades, AFT Massachusetts and member locals - including the Boston Teachers Union – have helped members navigate their benefits systems, which can be complex.  Whether it be through advocacy, education, or resources, the AFT Massachusetts has been on the frontline of an issue impacting thousands of teachers across the Commonwealth – the Massachusetts Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan, or Retirement Plus.

After working on this for years, we were thrilled when the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation we had been advocating for at the end of last session. Unfortunately, it was not taken up by the Senate in time.