A Message from Beth Kontos
As we enter the home stretch of the school year, I know AFTMA members across the state are busy teaching, organizing, and building our collective union power. As I traveled around the state this month to celebrated recent victories and advocate for the funding and policies our students deserve, it’s been great to see so many members who are deeply engaged in their local communities.
This month, I was thrilled to join members at Greater Lawrence Technical School and in the Lawrence Public Schools to read to students, and was proud to help give away 8,000 books to students to help encourage their love of reading.
On March 18, I joined Senator Elizabeth Warren and AFT President Randi Weingarten to discuss the success of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and what the next steps are for more forgiveness. Read the Globe’s coverage to hear some of the incredible stories AFT members shared about the impact of debt forgiveness on their lives.
That night, I joined the BTU for a conversation with two leaders of Standing Together, a grassroots group of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, who have been fighting every day for peace and a better, shared future.
Pittsfield’s Bus and Monitor Unit recently completed successful negotiations to raise their pay and add new bus drivers to the union to transport special education, homeless and foster student populations, saving the city from rising transportation costs from external private contractors. Read the Berkshire Eagle’s coverage of their contract for a great example of how good union jobs are good for our schools and our communities.
Upcoming AFT Conferences and Events This time of year is full of opportunities to build your union skills. On April 6, AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus and US Senator Ed Markey will join us at the BTU for our annual Para Conference. Register here: https://bit.ly/BTUParaCon. And on May 4, delegates from across the state will gather at IBEW Local 103 in Boston for the 2024 AFT Massachusetts Convention! We’ll celebrate our victories, discuss the battles we face, and be inspired to act.
Registration is now open for the AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union’s annual Summer Organizing Institute, August 14-15! Whether you are a brand new building rep or activist learning the basic building blocks of organizing or a seasoned union leader looking to bargaining your strongest contract ever, these two days are for you.
This year we will focus on core building rep skills like signing up new members into our unions, knowing our rights, and contracts. We will also have opportunities for bargaining committees, leaders, and activists to dig into developing contract campaigns and having organizing conversations. Sign up here to RSVP (and let us know what topics you’re most interested in – we want to make this helpful for YOU)
Climate Corner Earth Day is this month, and there are a number of events happening this month that may be of interest to you.
On April 10 at Salem State University, the Salem Alliance For the Environment is hosting “Climate, Justice, and the Economy: Imagining an Equitable and Sustainable Future,” a discussion with two local authors about their recent books: Marjorie Kelly's Wealth Supremacy, and Avi Chomsky's 40 Critical Questions for the Climate Crisis. Register here. Books to be provided to the first 50 registrants!
On April 18 in Salem, LEAP for Education will provide a free day-long training for educators to experience hands-on STEM-based activities and lessons that introduce students to renewable energy and careers in the growing offshore wind industry. The training is open to all teachers and community educators in the North Shore area, and participating educators will earn PDP points. Register here.
On April 22 (Earth Day) in Boston, join XR Boston’s Rebels and others to throw a party in honor of our planet in downtown Boston. This is an event for everyone, and will be celebratory in nature, featuring art, music, chanting, and a short walk through the district to share our love of the planet — and the need for greater action to protect it. Register here.
Take Action to Raise the Minimum Wage We’re standing with our allies in the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition in support of legislation that would raise the Massachusetts minimum wage from $15/hour to $20 by 2027, and index it to inflation in the future. This would raise the wages of almost 1 million workers, and extend the minimum wage’s protections to municipal workers like paraprofessionals and school cafeteria workers who are currently excluded! Email your legislators and urge them to show support for legislation that increases the minimum wage in Massachusetts to $20/hr.
Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Open Enrollment is April 3 —May 1 This year’s GIC premium increases are higher than in previous years. It is very important that GIC plan subscribers review the plan they are currently enrolled in and consider other plan options during this open-enrollment period. Click here to see our GIC enrollment guidance so you can make the best healthcare decisions for your family.
Apply for the AFT Innovation Fund! AFT is inviting members to submit applications for the AFT Innovation Fund with a focus this year on creating real solutions for how we use education technology. Applications should focus on addressing the opportunities and challenges related to education technology in schools, including procurement, adoption and spread, as well as policies governing use and effective practices for teaching and learning. Grant awards will range from $10,000 to $25,000, and applications are due on Sunday, April 21. Click here for more information and to access the application.
We organize. We inspire. We protect each other. We unite. We motivate. We win.
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.
Now, as our students experience greater needs in the wake of the pandemic, we’re organizing to win strong contracts that deliver the schools, libraries, and colleges our communities deserve. We’re fighting for the services and staffing our students need, and the strong benefits and workplace protections AFTMA members rely on. And we’re standing up to intolerance – working to protect our communities from extremists who want to ban books, restrict free speech, and reverse societal progress on racial and gender equality and LGBTQ rights.
On May 4, convention delegates from across the state will celebrate our victories, discuss the battles we face, and be inspired to act. We’ll welcome new members of our union, celebrate new affinity groups, hear about important initiatives, and further develop our collective strength as educators and organizers. Contact your local president for additional information.
Student Debt Clinics for AFT Members
Questions about student debt? AFT is hosting virtual student debt clinics on April 8, 24 and 29, 2024 ET to help our members navigate their debt. Learn more about PSLF and how you can save with Summer.
➡️ Register: https://cvent.me/17XZka
Join AFT Members at the 2024 Step Up For Colleen 5k Walk/Run
The friends and family of Colleen Ritzer created this 5K Walk/Run to celebrate Colleen’s life and her commitment to helping and inspiring others. Through the Step Up for Colleen Walk/Run, organizers and participants celebrate Colleen and the values by which she lived. The net proceeds benefit the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc. which benefits charitable activities honoring Colleen’s legacy including the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship. The Scholarship was established by Colleen’s family to benefit graduating high school seniors, who are Andover and Danvers residents, who demonstrate a passion for teaching, academic excellence and love of family and who will pursue a degree in education.
When: Sunday May 5, 2024
Where: Central Park in Andover, MA 01810 US
Register here: https://aftmassachusetts.tiny.us/AFTforColleen2024
Retirement Planning for Public Sector AFT Members
The financial professionals of Teacher Retirement Solutions (TRS) have partnered with AFT Massachusetts and specialize in providing independent financial guidance, strategies and solutions to educators, school employees, librarians and their families throughout New England. Join TRS’ John Gregorio, a Certified Financial Planner, on May 7, 2024 via Zoom for a comprehensive workshop for prospective retirees. The Massachusetts' public employee retirement formula, Social Security and living in retirement will be among the topics discussed. An automated email with the details of the Zoom meeting will be sent to members that complete the form linked here.
What: Retirement Planning Workshop for AFT Members
Who: Members of AFT Massachusetts
Where: Online via Zoom
When: May 7, 2024 from 6 to 8 pm
Link to our retirement planning folder of resources: https://aftmassachusetts.tiny.us/mb
Registration: https://actionnetwork.org/events/retirementplanningmay7/
2024 Massachusetts Education Justice Convening: Strategize. Organize. Win!
To win for all of the students, families, educators, and public schools and colleges - we must continue to build collective power and sustain the movement! This event, hosted by the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, is a convening is a space for parents/caregivers, educators, students, and community activists to come together to:
- share ideas, skills, lessons, strategy and inspiration;
- learn how to build power and sustain our work for transformative change;
- strengthen relationships to advance the movement; and,
- amplify the local and state K-12 and higher education issues that impact our students and communities.
Please register here for the Saturday, May 18th convening at Worcester Technical High School! There is space for 150 attendees, so register to secure your spot!
SAVE THE DATE: Summer Organizing Institute is Back! August 14-15
Join AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union for our annual Summer Organizing Institute. Whether you are a brand new building rep or activist learning the basic building blocks of organizing or a seasoned union leader looking to bargaining your strongest contract ever, these two days are for you.
Build effective building rep skills, effective bargaining, and effective organizing skills.
This year we will focus on core building rep skills like signing up new members into our unions, knowing our rights, and contracts. We will also have opportunities for bargaining committees, leaders, and activists to dig into developing contract campaigns and having organizing conversations.
Sign up here to RSVP (and let us know what topics you’re most interested in – we want to make this helpful for YOU)!
Upcoming Events
- Annual AFT Massachusetts Boston Teachers Union Paraprofessionals and School Related Personnel Conference - April 6, 2024
- Student Debt Clinics - April 8, 24 and 29, 2024
- Annual AFT Massachusetts Awards Dinner - May 3, 2024
- Annual AFT Massachusetts Convention - May 4, 2024
- Retirement Workshop for Public Sector AFT Members - May 7, 2024
- 2024 Massachusetts Education Justice Convening - May 18, 2024
- Annual AFT Massachusetts Boston Teachers Union Summer Organizing Institute - August 14-15, 2024