It’s been a blizzard this past week in Massachusetts–literally and figuratively! We hope you all have safely weathered the storm and the extended clean up efforts underway. 

The first two months of 2026 have a whirlwind as well, particularly for our locals in active negotiations. Leaders in Pittsfield, Essex Tech, our MLSA chapter at the Waltham Public Library, and others across the state are working hard to secure contracts that are fair for their members and good for the students and communities they serve. 

After two dozen negotiation sessions, the educators and support staff at Neighborhood House Charter School in Boston have reached a tentative agreement with administrators on their very first contract. If ratified next month, the three-year contract will provide guaranteed annual wage increases, a defined process for employees to address issues within the workplace, and strong job protections, while clearly laying out expectations, rights, and responsibilities for over 140 educators who will become members of the Boston Teachers Union. Congratulations to the BTU and all involved in securing a contract that is good for everyone!

In other good news, thanks to our collective action with fellow unions, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) dropped proposed changes to benefits plans that would have shifted more costs onto workers and retirees!

While the second half of Massachusetts’ two-year legislative session is well underway on Beacon Hill, we continue to have a near-constant presence at the State House this month, talking to legislators and policy leaders about budget priorities and key legislation we want to see passed before the session ends. One of our endorsed bills passed the Senate just this week – the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill investing in modernizing public higher education infrastructure, which previously passed the House. Other key advocacy areas include:

• Retirement Plus: We are working hard to get this bill over the finish line ASAP! It has already passed the House and is currently in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, waiting to go to the floor for a vote. We are in touch with the Senate President’s office on a weekly basis and have mobilized all of our allies in the State House on this issue to get this passed and sent to the Governor’s desk. We also continue to work closely with the grassroots R+ Committee to ensure our legislators are hearing directly from our members about why it’s important to pass this quickly as it is beneficial not only to our educators, but to our school districts as well.  

• Literacy Education: After months of debate, the House and Senate are currently working to put forth a final bill that addresses literacy education instruction in the Commonwealth. As educators, we fully support evidence-based literacy curriculum and there are strong components in each chamber’s version of the bill. We sent a letter to the six legislators tasked with coming up with a compromise version of the bill to outline the key areas from each version that we believe should be included in the final bill to make it even more impactful. 

• FY27 Budget Season: We know that this is going to be a very difficult budget season across the state. With billions in federal funding already cut and more looming on the horizon, the state is scrambling to fill the gaps where it can. Our districts are facing fiscal crises that, without intervention, would be disastrous for our schools, public libraries, and universities. AFT MA members play an essential role in spurring the state to take effective, essential action to combat this crisis. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with legislators and key leaders on just what is at stake this budget season! 

One of the best parts of our work at the state federation is being able to bring resources directly to our communities and schools. Before February vacation, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the opening of a new library for students at City Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA) in Lynn. CASA’s new library was made possible through a $10,000 donation from AFT MA through the AFT’s multi-year, multimillion dollar Reading Opens the World initiative. This program has distributed more than 11 million free books to students, families, and educators serving in Title I schools and programs—nearly one million to AFT MA schools and communities alone! It was a great day to join local community leaders and see, firsthand, the wonderful impact these investments have on our students. 

Lastly, at a time when teaching accurate histories is under attack, we remain vigilant in supporting and promoting the unique voices of our members, students, and communities. The right to work, to learn, to vote, to live with dignity and respect were not freely given to many in our community. These basic rights were won through collective action—the type of work we must continue to prioritize. This month, we took time to honor Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Public Schools Week because we know that the diversity of our residents is what truly makes America. We carry this spirit forward by standing up for our immigrant neighbors and communities of color, who continue to face discrimination and whose histories the current Administration is attempting to erase.

Take Action:

• Sign up to join AFT MA’s Activist List today!

• Oppose the SAVE Act 2.0 (& send to two friends outside MA!)

• Demand de-escalation, transparency, and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security 

Upcoming Events: 

• 3/4: Protect Our Communities! 

• 3/5: AFT Medical Debt Clinic

• 3/7: MVCLC & NSLC Ed Con 2026

• 3/9-3/13: Massachusetts Civic Learning Week 2026

• 3/10: Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

• 3/21-3/22: Mass Alliance Grassroots Campaign Training - Springfield

• 3/22: 26th Annual Labor Seder

• 3/23-3/26: Share My Lesson Virtual Conference

• 3/24: From Mandatory Reporting to Mandated Support: Understanding Educator Power to Transform Family Crisis Response

• 3/28: No Kings III - Find your local event here!

• 3/30: 2/23: Lawrence Retirement Planning Workshop

• 4/11-4/12: Mass Alliance Grassroots Campaign Training - Quincy

• 4/16: SAVE THE DATE: AFT MA Spring Town Hall!

• 5/1: SAVE THE DATE: May Day 2026

• 5/1-2: Para/PSRP conference!

• 5/3: Step Up for Colleen 5k

Tell lawmakers to protect voting rights & reject SAVE 2.0!

The SAVE Act 2.0 is a massive voter disenfranchisement effort targeting women, immigrants, trans, and nonbinary voters. It would abolish vote by mail systems, impose intensive voter ID requirements, create a centralized voter surveillance system, and more—and it’s headed to the Senate for a vote any day now. Take action today: Massachusetts’ Senators are already strongly opposed to the SAVE Act 2.0, so please share this with two friends outside of MA and ask them to take 30 seconds to call on their Senators to oppose SAVE 2.0 too!

Learn more about the proposed ballot questions that would strip $7 billion from MA state revenue

This fall, corporations and the ultra-rich are trying to put two questions on the ballot this fall that would strip $7 billion from MA’s state revenue. That means even less funds for under-funded schools, universities, hospitals, and the public services that residents rely on. This effort to pass these two ballot questions is being funded by the superrich of the Massachusetts High Tech Council and their allies. Learn more about what’s really going on and the damage it would cause for our locals, our members, our students, and our communities at www.mhtcrevealed.com.

Join the Activist List!

Want to get more involved with AFT Massachusetts? As we navigate this election year and the ongoing attacks on public education, unions, our immigrant students, and more, we’ve heard from members looking for more ways to get involved and make a difference right now. Enter: the Activist List! The Activist List is an email list hosted by AFT Massachusetts to share opportunities to take collective action and show up for public education, our students and schools, and our labor rights and union siblings. You’ll hear about in-person events, text and phone banks, webinars, and more. If you’re looking for more opportunities to take action this year, the Activist List is the space for you! Sign up here to join!

Demand de-escalation, transparency, and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security

Join AFT members in calling on our members of Congress to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for the trauma stemming from the murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and other illegal DHS actions. Click here to sign on.

• Rappaport Center Speakers Call for Sustained Resistance and Student Leadership Amid Political Unrest - The Heights

• Salem schools superintendent will replace Tutwiler as state education secretary - GBH

• CASA literacy gets $10k boost - Daily Item

• With budgets under strain, states are split on taxing the rich - CNN

• Georges Leaving the Bargaining Table - Inside Lowell

Wednesday, March 4: Protect Our Communities Day of Action!

AFT MA is once again joining our fellow AFT unions across the country in participating in a national day of action to call attention to the harm federal policies are doing to our students and communities—and what we’re doing to fight back. AFT MA will be co-hosting a press conference at the MA State House with MEJA on the budget & enrollment crisis affecting our communities. Locals like Chelsea Teachers Union, Lynn Teachers Union, and Boston Teachers are planning flyering, walk-outs, and 10 minute meetings for March 4th. Want to take action with your local? Wear Red for Ed on Wednesday, March 4th, and post a picture tagging AFT MA on socials so we can lift up your action!

Thursday, March 5: AFT Medical Debt Clinic

Join AFT for a medical debt clinic that can help you and your family dig out from under medical bills. 28% of Americans have unpaid medical debt, with many owing $2,000 or more. Too many families are financially sinking because of unpaid medical bills—but options exist that can help individuals relieve some of their medical debt and get on firmer financial footing. Space is limited and is for AFT members only, so register soon! 

Saturday, March 7: MVCLC & NSLC Ed Con 2026

Join the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council and North Shore Labor Council for a one-day conference uniting organizers, workers, and allies to build solidarity, share strategies, and strengthen networks to push back against rising authoritarianism—together. This year’s theme is "Out of the Union Hall & Into the Street, Building Labor's Political Power" and will feature Alexandra Pineros Shields, Avi Chomsky, and special guest Bill Fletcher. Register today to join!

March 9-13: Massachusetts Civic Learning Week 2026

Civic Learning Week (CLW) is hosted annually by the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition and seeks to highlight the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. The theme this year is Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at the 250th Anniversary. Click here to find a full schedule of programming, including sessions on pathways to citizenship, climate resiliency, and Zoom with a judge.

Tuesday, March 10: Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

From AFT comes Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, a new four-part series from scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr, exploring the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans throughout our country’s history. Cohosted by Facing History & Ourselves and Share My Lesson, join for a conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., explore what questions these interwoven stories raise for today's students, and explore ways to bring this series into your classroom. More info & register here.

March 21-22: Mass Alliance Grassroots Campaign Training - Springfield

Interested in potentially running for office someday, or just want to learn more about electoral campaigns and organizing? Register for Mass Alliance’s Grassroots Campaign Training to learn the tools and strategy necessary to run and win a community-rooted campaign. Whether you're preparing for 2026 elections, building skills for a future run, or strengthening your community’s political power, this training offers a clear, accessible roadmap for grassroots success. *Apply here by March 5*

Sunday, March 22: 26th Annual Labor Seder

The New England Jewish Labor Committee’s Labor Seder is a unique interfaith and inter-community awards dinner that ties the rituals and stories of Passover to contemporary labor struggles. Register here to join us at IBEW 103 as President Tang is honored this year!  

March 23-26: Share My Lesson Virtual Conference

This year’s Share My Lesson Virtual Conference will feature over 30 free, for-credit webinars, including a keynote from President Weingarten on the state of public education in 2026, teaching about free and fair elections, elevating career literacy, and more. Find the full schedule and sign up for individual webinars here.

Tuesday, March 24: From Mandatory Reporting to Mandated Support: Understanding Educator Power to Transform Family Crisis Response

Join AFT’s Share My Lesson for a special session, "From Mandatory Reporting to Mandated Support: Understanding Educator Power to Transform Family Crisis Response,” presented by Miesha Parker, a parent who navigated family separation through the child welfare system based on school reports. Parker will introduce five different ways that educators hold power as mandatory reporters, then share a three-tier framework for using their power to support families before crisis escalates. Educators will practice distinguishing between situations requiring emergency response versus opportunities for resource connection. Learn more & register here.

Saturday, March 28: No Kings III!

The next No Kings Day will be March 28! What began as a single day of action in 2025 has become a sustained, growing national resistance to authoritarianism. Find your local No Kings III event here, and stay tuned for a full list of AFT MA local events! 

Monday, March 30: Retirement Planning Workshop for Public Sector AFT Members

All public sector members are invited to join the AFT Massachusetts for an upcoming retirement planning workshop! AFT MA has partnered with Teacher Retirement Solutions to provide prospective retirees with this comprehensive workshop. We cover a variety of topics, including the Massachusetts' public employee retirement formula, Social Security, and living in retirement. Sign up to join us for the next workshop in Lawrence on March 30. Want to bring this resource to your local? Talk to your local President today!

April 11-12: Mass Alliance Grassroots Campaign Training - Quincy

Interested in potentially running for office someday, or just want to learn more about electoral campaigns and organizing? Register for Mass Alliance’s Grassroots Campaign Training to learn the tools and strategy necessary to run and win a community-rooted campaign. *Apply here by April 2* 

May 1 & 2: 2026 Para/PSRP Conference & Social!

Join Boston Teachers Union and AFT Massachusetts for the 40th Annual Paraprofessional/PSRP Statewide Conference at the Boston Teachers Union this May. This year's conference is centered around “40 years of Para/PSRP Solidarity”. Friday, May 1, will start with a night of bowling, followed by the conference itself on Saturday, May 2, at BTU. The deadline to register is April 17—register today to join!

Sunday, May 3: 2026 Step Up for Colleen 5K

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. The net proceeds benefit the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc. which supports 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. Sign up to join the AFT Massachusetts team today!

Student Debt & Public Service Loan Forgiveness The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has changed lives—lifting the burden of student debt for educators, healthcare professionals, public servants and countless others who have dedicated their careers to serving our communities. But now, PSLF and income-driven repayment plans are under attack—from executive orders tied to Project 2025, politically motivated lawsuits and attempts to dismantle the Department of Education. These threats are creating uncertainty for millions of borrowers like you.

The AFT knows how important accurate information is to make the best decision on how to manage your student loan repayment, and we’re working to update our student debt clinic curriculum to ensure that you have the necessary information to make decisions that both put you in the best position for loan forgiveness and protect the financial health of your family. Learn more and register for one of the AFT’s student debt clinics here: https://www.aft.org/pslf