Over 100 AFT Massachusetts members served as delegates at the AFT’s 89th biennial convention, with union delegates addressing critical issues in education and healthcare over the course of four days in Washington, D.C.
AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang was re-elected to serve a two-year term on the AFT Executive Board, topping the ticket among the 43 elected Vice Presidents. This was her third election to the Executive Board and third time topping the ticket. President Tang was also re-appointed to the Board’s 10-member Executive Committee.
Eight years after the Janus Decision, which was meant to decimate public sector unions, educators, healthcare workers, and public employees continue to organize in record numbers.
With 1.875 million members, AFT is the fastest growing union in the 65-member AFL-CIO.
More than 3,000 delegates were in attendance at the 2026 Convention, which included dozens of breakfast meetings and receptions that covered critical issues in education, including support for Paraprofessionals and Service Related Personnel (PSRP), the impact of community schools, protecting human and civil rights, supporting women’s rights, international solidarity, and more.
One hundred-thirty-one AFT Massachusetts members from across the Commonwealth served as delegates, including dozens of members serving as first-time delegates. AFT Massachusetts locals represented included: AFT Amesbury, Billerica Federation of Teachers, Boston Teachers Union, Chelmsford Federation of Teachers, Chelsea Teachers Union, Emerson AFT AAUP, Lawrence Federation of Paraprofessionals, Lawrence Teachers Union, Lynn Teachers Union, New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals, North Attleboro Federation of Teachers, Peabody Federation of Teachers, UMASS Faculty Federation, and the United Teachers of Lowell.
Delegates debated and passed resolutions on a range of pressing issues—from reclaiming the promise of public education, to protecting immigrant communities, to rebuilding public health, to preparing for the age of artificial intelligence, to tackling the affordability and student debt crises. Dozens of breakout meetings and receptions covered rural issues, faith and religion, international solidarity and more.
Three resolutions submitted by AFT Massachusetts were adopted: Time to Show Up for PSRPs Like They Show Up for Our Schools, Students, and Communities; AFT Stands in Solidarity with Immigrant Families, Demands Action to Get ICE Out of Communities; and In Remembrance of Kent Wong.
Four dedicated educators from the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) were recognized with Living the Legacy Awards, which are given out every two years to women who have demonstrated a deep commitment to their communities for 30, 40, and 50 years, meeting the AFT’s highest criteria for activism, mentorship, and community leadership. Alice Young was recognized for her 40 years of service along with Brenda Cheney, Marilyn Marion, and Mae Bishop—who were each recognized for 50 years of service.
AFT Massachusetts members served as volunteers, performed official duties as Sergeants-at-Arms, and on panels, including BTU President Erik Berg on a K-12 panel focused on The Power of Professional Issues to Activate, Mobilize and Build Power; and BTU Vice President Lea-Antoinette Serena was part of a panel on the importance of Community Schools.
Union delegates also voted overwhelmingly to re-elect President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram, and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus to new two-year terms.