A Message from Jessica Tang
(Top left to right: Celebrating Luisa Sparrow, a special education teacher for fifth- and sixth-grade students at the Oliver Hazard Perry School in South Boston and the 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, and AFT Massachusetts Executive Board; Bottom left to right: BTU members rally at a school committee meeting, UMass Faculty Federation's Awards Dinner, and President Tang, Secretary-Treasurer Duncan and friends at the Repeal the WEPGPO Rally in Washington DC)
While we’re in the midst of the holiday season for many, I am pleased to announce some joyous news.
The United States Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which repeals two unfair provisions of the Social Security law that unfairly penalizes Massachusetts public sector retirees, including school teachers – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
No one who pays into the Social Security system should see the benefits they’ve earned cut or eliminated – especially those who dedicated their careers to public service. Both of these provisions disproportionately impact low-income retirees - including tens of thousands in Massachusetts alone. It's set up so public school teachers and paraprofessionals end up being penalized for working a second or third job in the private sector, which many have to do to get by.
As you know, the AFT MA has been a staunch advocate for this bill to rectify these two harmful provisions. Earlier this month, we traveled to Washington D.C. to rally in support of the bill with our union brothers and sisters from the AFT, IAFF, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, and more. We were also joined by elected officials who have led on this issue - including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown. Senator Markey has also been a champion on this issue and we are grateful to both of our Senators for their advocacy.
Currently, the WEP slashes or eliminates Social Security benefits public sector workers earned through second jobs or during other points in their careers. In Massachusetts, this provision impacts nearly 93,000 Social Security beneficiaries including retirees, disabled workers, and spouses/children. Changes to the WEP would impact approximately 2 million Social Security beneficiaries across the country.
Meanwhile, the GPO affects the spousal benefits of nearly 800,000 retirees who worked as federal, state, or local government employees — including teachers — if the job is not covered by Social Security. The GPO cuts the Social Security benefits received by surviving spouses by two-thirds if they also collect a government pension – in many cases, offsetting their benefits entirely. In Massachusetts, over 42,000 Social Security beneficiaries are affected by the GPO. Nearly 29,000 beneficiaries in Massachusetts have their benefits completely offset.
The bill has been sent to President Biden for his signature.
In Memoriam – President Jimmy Carter
Many across the nation are mourning the death of former President Jimmy Carter – a selfless leader who not only served our nation in the highest office, but remained focused on ways to serve our nation and others each and every day after he left office.
Throughout his life, President Carter fought for equity and social justice – beginning in his early years fighting to desegregate schools throughout Georgia and working to enforce critical public education and civil rights laws. During his time in the Oval Office, President Carter established the Department of Education - bringing together various federal education programs under one roof, giving students across the nation access to a quality, public education for generations to come. Read AFT's statement here.
ACT NOW: Push R+ Over the Finish Line on Beacon Hill
Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed an important bill – one we’ve been fighting on behalf for years – H.5136. This bill bundles three important bills we’ve spent this session advocating for: H.2483 An Act Relative to teacher retirement education (Rep. Consalvo), H.2630, An Act relative to benefits for teachers (Rep. Peisch), and S.1702, An Act relative to teacher retirement education (Sen. Miranda).
Please contact your State Senator today and ask them to urge Senate leadership to pass H.5136 before the end of the 2023-2024 session – with time for Governor Healey to sign this important bill into law.
Lawrence
The AFT MA continues to stand with the Lawrence Teachers’ Union, the Lawrence Federation of Paraprofessionals, and the the Lawrence Administrative Support Staff Association in their work on behalf of the entire Lawrence community to fight the dangerous home rule petition being pushed by those in power to completely upend school governance in the city.
There are some elected officials serving Lawrence who have been willing to stand up against this dangerous power grab - including Representative Francisco Paulino, Councilor Fidelina Santiago, and Councilor Wendy Luzon. The members of the current elected school committee are also in opposition to the move.
Unfortunately, the bill passed both chambers and was sent to the Governor for her signature. We will provide an update when we have one. But, in the Senate it was nice to see members of the body stand up and speak out about the dangerousness of this bill in terms of stifling democracy – not only for the people of Lawrence, but in every community across the Commonwealth.
No matter what, we will continue to fight to ensure the voices of families and educators in Lawrence are heard.
Salem and Lynn Charter School Expansion
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is currently considering two expansion requests from charter schools in AFT MA districts: from KIPP Academy Charter School in Lynn and from Salem Academy Charter School in Salem.
Lynn Teachers Union President Sheila O’Neill along with Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson and LPS Superintendent Evonne Alvarez testified before BESE against KIPP Academy’s dangerous proposal. Their remarks can be found here (beginning at 37:25).
BESE will be hearing from Salem education and city leaders next month about what the charter expansion efforts would mean for their district and the students they serve.
Educator Diversity Act Now Law!
On November 20, Governor Maura Healey signed an omnibus economic development bill into law, which is an amazing step forward in our work to promote educator diversity throughout the Commonwealth.
The bill, dubbed the Mass Leads Act, includes key provisions of the Educator Diversity Act - a bill we have been championing for many years at the AFT Massachusetts. Learn more on Mass Leads and what it means for teachers and schools across the state here.
Climate Bill passed and signed by Gov. Healey
The Governor signed another important piece of legislation into law last month – the clean energy siting and permitting bill, which will create thousands of new jobs, lower the cost of energy, and significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to improve overall public health.
Key components of the bill include: accelerating clean energy development, improving energy affordability, creating an equitable infrastructure siting process, allowing for multistate clean energy procurements, promoting non-gas heating, expanding access to electric vehicles and creating jobs and supporting workers throughout the energy transition.
Labor leaders from across the state were instrumental in the drafting of this legislation and we are proud to support this important step forward to address the climate crisis.
Contract Updates
Chelsea: After 10 long months of negotiations, the educators in Chelsea will no longer be working without a contract. At a negotiation session last week with over 200 members in attendance, the Chelsea Teachers Union (CTU) Local 1340 secured new, three-year collective bargaining agreements for their members that take important steps to address essential classroom issues while ensuring these dedicated educators are on track to receive a living wage and equitable workplace benefits. Congratulations to all the teachers, paraprofessionals, and clerks in Chelsea!! Learn more about the negotiations and what the CTU was able to secure in these new contracts here.
Boston: On Wednesday December 4th, the Boston Teachers Union had more than 200 BTU members pack the School Committee to continue our fight for a fair contract. Educators across the district have been working without a contract for close to 100 days. But they've been working under unacceptable conditions for far longer. It is past time that Boston Public Schools provide the resources our students with additional needs deserve and it is past time that our lowest paid workers are valued and respected. The BTU is united and committed to fighting for the schools that Boston students deserve. Boston's students and educators won't settle for less!
Cambridge Librarians - Tentative Agreement: The Cambridge Librarians have a tentative agreement with management that addresses important improvements within the main areas they were fighting for: Fair Wages, Health and Safety, Admin Accountability, and Full Staffing. We will provide more information once these contracts are ratified. But a big congratulations to all those involved in these negotiations.
Student Debt Clinics
Join us for a student debt clinic on January 2 and 15, 2025 at 7 p.m. EST. Do you have questions about your student debt? The AFT is hosting virtual student debt clinics to help our members navigate their debt. Learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, how the latest news is affecting these programs, and how you can save with the online debt-management resource Summer. ➡️ Register: https://cvent.me/17XZka
Retirement Planning Workshop for Public Sector AFT Members
AFT Massachusetts is hosting a retirement planning workshop on January 25, 2025 at 10 am in-person at the Chelmsford Police Station Community Room and all public sector members are welcome!
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 January 25, 2025 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.
Link to register for the workshop: