AFT Massachusetts Convention

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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While we navigate these times of great uncertainty-whether our in our schools or communities-we must remain UNITED FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

Not only did our 2025 Annual Convention live up to that important tenet, which served as this year’s Convention theme, it set us up to stay united into the foreseeable future. The energy and dedication of our delegates was a powerful reminder of how much we can amplify our power and impact when we remain engaged in each other’s communities and united around the collective good.

In her first full Convention as President of the AFT Massachusetts, Jessica Tang spoke to the critical role each and every delegate and local plays in ensuring the strength of the union during these challenging times. The AFT Massachusetts recognizes that the power and strength lies in not just the unity of its membership, but its diversity. Each member brings their personal history and perspectives to the table. Bringing everyone together to learn about and from each other as we fight for a common good is something that the AFT Massachusetts is dedicated to fostering. The diversity and inclusivity of our union is what unites us–we may not always agree on everything, but we have more in common that unites us that divides us. 

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AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos and Secretary-Treasurer Brant Duncan are thrilled to announce the winners of the union’s 2024 Distinguished Service Awards.The Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually to AFT Massachusetts members who have demonstrated an outstanding level of service and dedication to their local union. Here are this year’s winners: Rose Marie Bergeron - United Teachers of Lowell. Patricia Clark - Holliston Federation of Teachers, Clara Hendricks - Massachusetts Library Staff Association, Keeghan Hughes - Salem Teachers Union, Paul Mailloux - Lynn Teachers Union, Mindy Richardson - Lawrence Teachers Union, Maria Gonzalez Rosa - Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals and Cheryl Travers - Lawrence Teachers Union!

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Every year AFT Massachusetts awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT Massachusetts members. The awards, named in honor of former AFT leaders Kathy Kelley, Albert Shanker, and Sandra Feldman, and for long-time AFT Massachusetts Field Representative Jay Porter, are awarded on the basis of a labor history exam administered by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Congratulations to our 2024 Scholarship Award Winners!

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This year’s annual AFT Massachusetts convention was a historic one, as delegates unanimously elected Boston Teachers Union President Jessica Tang as President of AFT Massachusetts, making her the first person of color and first openly queer person to serve as President of our statewide union. The convention was also a moment to honor the contributions of outgoing President Beth Kontos over the past six years.

“It’s an honor to represent the 25,000 educators, librarians, health and public service workers from across the commonwealth who make up AFT Massachusetts,” President Jessica Tang said. “Our union shares a vision of a state with public schools and colleges that all of our students can thrive in, and libraries and public services that all of our communities can be proud of. Massachusetts should continue to be a model for what’s possible, and I know we can achieve tremendous things when we as union members organize together with our communities.”

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This year, AFT Massachusetts members are celebrating…The Power of We at the 2024 Annual AFT Massachusetts Convention!

When we are united as union members, we can accomplish enormous things. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the impact of our collective power as we worked to pass and implement the Student Opportunity Act, state legislation that is delivering transformative investments in our public schools. We helped build a statewide grassroots campaign to win the Fair Share Amendment, which is now funding education improvements statewide: from providing free school meals for all students and building green schools, to making public college more affordable and rebuilding our transportation infrastructure.

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Help AFT Massachusetts celebrate the service of an educator, librarian, nurse, or school related personnel whose leadership has made our union stronger. Nominations are now being accepted for our 2024 Distinguished Service Awards!
 
The AFT Massachusetts Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually to AFT Massachusetts members who have demonstrated an outstanding level of service and dedication to their local union. The 2024 Distinguished Service Award Winners will be honored at the AFT Massachusetts Convention Awards Dinner on Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

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Every year AFT Massachusetts awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT Massachusetts members. The awards, named in honor of former AFT leaders Kathy Kelley, Albert Shanker and Sandra Feldman, and for long-time AFT Massachusetts field representative Jay Porter, are awarded on the basis of a labor history exam administered by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. 

For students taking the labor history exam, you are not just learning about the history of unions and about groups of people who wanted better wages. You are learning about the history of working people, just like you and your families, who fight for justice and equality. As you engage with these resources, remember that you will inevitably be part of this story, too, and it's up to you what role you will play.
 
“At a time of active union organizing across the country, it’s important for young people to understand the role labor unions have played in our state and country’s history,” said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos. “AFT Massachusetts is proud to offer these college scholarships to students who are part of our union family.”

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Every year AFT Massachusetts awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT Massachusetts members. The awards, named in honor of former AFT leaders Kathy Kelley, Albert Shanker and Sandra Feldman, and for long-time AFT Massachusetts field representative Jay Porter, are awarded on the basis of a labor history exam administered by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Award Winners: Shalyn Medailleu, John Cavanaugh, Ethan Cliff, Devan Hernandez, Samantha Kimball, Madison Reilly, Declan Hocker, Lily McDonough and Ronan Dowd.

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This year’s annual AFT Massachusetts convention felt like a celebration putting the long, painful COVID-19 pandemic behind us. We didn’t meet virtually, or have to wear masks. Instead, we kicked off the convention weekend with our awards dinner at a new location, the incredible Edward M Kennedy Institute at Columbia Point in Dorchester. Saturday’s main event was again held at the IBEW 103 hall in Dorchester, with over 150 registered delegates in attendance. This year’s theme was “Moving Forward Together,” as we have several important campaigns ahead of us: fully implementing the Student Opportunity Act; ending the failed state takeover/receivership system; fully funding all of our public schools; winning living wages for paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; delivering affordable, high-quality public higher ed for all; and providing fair and affordable public retiree benefits. MORE