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AFT MA Stands With Sec. Tutwiler

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Healey Administration Response to Latest Attacks on Public Education from the White House, Federal government issues threats to rescind hundreds of millions in funding used to support low-income students (April 9, 2025).

AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in support of the letter sent by Massachusetts Secretary of Education and Interim Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Patrick Tutwiler today in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s recent memo threatening to withdraw billions of dollars in Title I

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NEC Walk-ins April 2025

"There is no question that the challenges facing our schools and public education in general will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable students and those with the highest needs -- and those are the students we serve,” said NECEF President and Recovery High School teacher Jake Zeigler. “Across all six schools, our educators work to ensure these students have access to the services and support they need to achieve social and educational success. We are all dedicated to safeguarding the rights and needs of our students and remain steadfast in our commitment to making sure the voices and concerns of our students, their families, and our educators are heard and prioritized in the decision making process."

"Each and every day, our paraprofessionals go above and beyond for their students, but most of us don't make a living wage. We're forced to choose between a job we love where we can support students in need and making ends meet. Paras shouldn't be forced to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table,” said Ketty Thebaud, Vice President of the NEC Paraprofessionals and an Instructional Assistant at the Kevin O’Grady School. “We truly care for these kids and are invested in providing them the support to reach their full potential. We wouldn't want it any other way. We hope that, moving forward, we will be seen and recognized for our value and provided with a living wage and benefits that accurately reflect the role we play in the success of our students."

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Ed Lawsuit March 2025

AFT Massachusetts Sues to Stop Dismantling of Public Education, Lawsuit is first challenge to Trump’s Executive Order (March 24, 2025)

The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts along with a broad coalition of educators, school districts, nonprofits, and labor unions took legal action to stop the Trump Administration’s attempts to decimate the Department of Education and the critical services it provides to students, teachers, parents, and communities across the country.

The lawsuit – filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts by Democracy Forward – is the first

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Fighting for a Dignified, Equitable Retirement

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.

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