A Message from President Tang
Top left to right - Literacy Launch, AFT's Presidents Meetings. Bottom left to right - Signing of the Repeal of the WEP, Grafton Library Solidarity, Boston Contract Rally
The first two weeks of the new Administration have been full of division, chaos, and fear. Dozens of Executive Orders have undone important policies that impact everything from capping the price of prescriptions to halting projects for union jobs. They’ve removed schools, hospitals, and places of worship from the list of “sensitive sites.” Visible increases of ICE agents in these areas means that these places are no longer the safe havens they should be. As educators, librarians, healthcare workers and public service workers, you’re seeing how the fear is unsettling many of our communities firsthand.
The threats of federal funding freezes are throwing so many vital programs – including Head Start, cancer research, construction jobs, public school funding, Medicare and Medicaid, student loans – into a chaotic tailspin, impacting workers, students, and families across the Commonwealth.
We can make a difference in the lives of our students and families.Just by showing up and doing what you always do - providing a safe, welcoming environment for ALL students.
Kids can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. They can’t learn in underfunded schools. Students in need can’t learn without the services and support they’re guaranteed under their right to a free and appropriate public education.
Children across Massachusetts will regress unless something is done to stand up to this reckless and hateful agenda. An entire generation is at risk. Our schools and families need to be assured that the state will do everything in its power to safeguard each child’s right to an education. You can find some of our recent statements on this issue here: Massachusetts Educators Prepared to Protect Rights and Safety of All Students and AFT Massachusetts Responds to Trump Threats to Freeze All Federal Funding.
Thursday night, I participated in an emergency town hall hosted by the AFT to discuss how to keep kids safe in the wake of Trump’s throwing out federal policies to allow ICE agents into sensitive locations like schools, healthcare facilities, churches and other social services sites. You can watch the webinar and check out all the resources provided here. Another document you may find helpful is this “Clearinghouse” document from the AFT’s Winter Legislative Conference. It’s full of important resources covering a variety of issues we’re fighting for, including: Immigration, Democracy, Legal Advocacy, Education Defense, Climate, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Please know that we are keeping a very close eye on each of these developments and identifying ways to fight against the fear and harm they’re causing. One thing you can do immediately is to contact your legislators! Tell Congress: Stand Up To Trump's Funding Freeze! No matter the challenge, we are in this together and will continue to use our collective action to fight for humane policies and a better life for all working people.
STATE AGENDA AND BUDGET
It is safe to say that we face unprecedented cuts to federal investment and critical programming, which makes the work and investments from our state leaders all the more important.
The Commonwealth’s ability to lead and thrive relies on a fully-funded, equitable, and high-quality public education system - from early childhood to post-secondary. In her State of the Commonwealth and subsequent unveiling of her draft budget, Governor Maura Healey took concrete steps to make important investments in the programs and supports we know are critical for students, families, and educators.
Highlights of the Governor’s FY26 budget include:
- $1.95 billion in funding this year for education and transportation raised through the Fair Share Amendment, something the AFTMA and other members of the Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition fought hard to secure;
- $2.5 billion in funding for higher education infrastructure investments (over 10 years), making a solid investment to bring our institutions of public higher education to the standards our students and faculty deserve;
- Fully-funds Chapter 70 (in the fifth year of the Student Opportunity Act);
- $170M to sustain the universal school meals program; and
- $682M for the special education circuit breaker.
But, this is just the first step in a long process. We know not all school districts are content with what the Governor’s budget means for their schools, educators, and students. We know that this budget does not go far enough to support the critical programming we know face an uncertain future in terms of federal funding. This is just the start of the important discussions we will be having with Administration leaders and legislators about our priorities and needs this session. The next stage in the process is the review of the Governor’s budget by the Massachusetts Legislature, which will include a number of public hearings on the budget throughout the state in February and March before each chamber releases their own versions of the FY26 budget (the House in April and the Senate in May).
In terms of legislation and policy, the bill filing deadline for legislators was two weeks ago and over 6,900 bills were filed for the 2025-26 MA Legislative session! Our team is carefully combing through each bill and will be posting a full rundown of the legislative process, bills we’re following, and ways for you to get involved. So, stay tuned!
The immediate next steps for the legislature is establishing the rules for the session, after which legislators will be given committee assignments for the session – kicking off the beginning of the review process for each and every bill filed this session.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT COUNCIL
In the wake of the overwhelming vote by Massachusetts residents to end the use of the MCAS as a graduation requirement, education officials and the Healey Administration are in the process of providing guidance to schools and educators across the state about what this means for potential graduates going forward.
In that vein, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order on Friday, January 17 to establish a Massachusetts K-12 Statewide Graduation Council. Led by Secretary Tutwiler and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Council will feature key stakeholders – including an appointee of the AFT Massachusetts and one from the Boston Teachers Union – and will make recommendations on how Massachusetts can ensure that all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed.
The Executive Order can be found here and the announcement from Governor Healey’s office can be found here.
Click here if you would like to take part in the AFT Massachusetts focus group on this issue.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Tomorrow is the first day of Black History Month. Making sure we share and uplift Black voices during this month is always important, but considering the Trump Administration’s racist agenda and systematic dismantling of all the progress we have made in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion - it’s critical.
You can find a variety of resources on the Month and ways to incorporate it throughout your classrooms and lesson plans here.
VOTE TO EXPAND SOUTH SHORE TECHNICAL SCHOOL SUCCESSFUL!!
On Saturday, January 25, the nine communities in the South Shore Technical School District held local votes on whether or not to allow the school to move forward with plans to expand.
We are thrilled to say that ALL NINE COMMUNITIES voted in favor of expansion.
“Through hands-on learning and skills training, SST produces not only successful and skilled workers, but our graduates are also known for being engaged learners, hopeful citizens, and responsible members of their local, national, and global communities,” said Randy Scott, President of the South Shore Regional Vocational Teachers Federation. “Voting YES allows us to expand with new programming and serve more students. This is about more than just getting bigger - it’s about being able to maintain the same level of quality education we are known for, which is at risk with the crumbling facilities.”
Congratulations to the South Shore Regional Vocational Teachers Federation on this amazing victory!
2025 AFT MA AWARDS DINNER AND CONVENTION REMINDER
Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3
Our annual convention will be here before you know it! Below is a rundown of information:
- Constitutional Amendments – Any local may present a constitutional amendment to the convention. Proposed amendments are due in the AFT Massachusetts office no later than February 3, 2025.
- Nominations are now being accepted for our 2025 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. These are the educators, librarians, nurses, and school related personnel who help make our entire union stronger. The 2025 Distinguished Service Award Winners will be honored at the AFT Massachusetts Convention Awards Dinner on Friday, May 2, 2025. Affiliate leaders or their designees should submit nomination(s) for the 2025 Distinguished Service Awards Program here. Nominations are due by Friday, February 14, 2025 (extended date).
- Proposed Resolutions – All proposed resolutions, signed by the local President must be sent to the AFT Massachusetts office either postmarked or emailed by April 3, 2025.
- Per Capita Payments – Per capita payments through February 2025 must be sent, postmarked no later than April 3, 2025 to the AFT to have representation at the convention.
- List of Delegates – A list of all elected delegates and alternates must be sent to the AFT Massachusetts office by email, registered mail or certified mail with a check payable to AFT Massachusetts for $25 per delegate / alternate, sent no later than April 3, 2025.
- Audit of a Local’s Finances – A copy of an audit by an independent CPA, a copy of a financial review by an independent CPA or a letter certifying that a review has been conducted by an Internal Review Committee consistent with AFT Guidelines must be sent to the AFT Massachusetts office postmarked or emailed no later than April 3, 2025.
- 2025 AFT Massachusetts Convention Hotel Block - Book the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel located at 606 Congress Street in Boston by April 4, 2025 for May 2, 2025. The hotel room rate of $279 per night is subject to applicable state and local taxes as well as a daily destination fee of $30 per night. Book your room today: https://book.passkey.com/go/AFTMassachusetts2025.
- 2025 Awards Dinner – Friday, May 2, 2025 – Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Save the Date!
- 2025 AFT Massachusetts Annual Convention – Saturday, May 3, 2025 – IBEW Local 103 Hall. Save the date!
ADVOCACY AND LOCAL CAMPAIGN UPDATES
- Charter School Expansion – We are continuing to monitor and advocate against KIPP Academy Lynn’s latest efforts to expand in Lynn. Lynn Teachers Union President Sheila O’Neil testified along with Lynn’s Mayor and Superintendent at BESE’s November meeting about the devastating impacts this expansion would have on the City’s ability to educate all students. Their proposal is currently under consideration with BESE. Meanwhile, Salem Teachers Union President Ann Berman attended the latest BESE meeting along with Salem’s Mayor and Superintendent to testify against Salem Academy Charter School’s recently submitted application for expansion.
- The Masconomet Paraprofessional Union, which is made up of nine school sending districts on the North Shore, unanimously ratified a new agreement that included a 34.7% wage increase through 2027, which includes base salary increases, three new steps, and a longevity increase for all members of the unit. Other improvements include more access to technology and the inclusion of Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
- Other locals engaged in escalation campaigns and are currently negotiating include the Boston Teachers Union, the Fall River Paraprofessional Federation, and the Westport Federation of Teachers.
- Our organizers are ramping up with field staff across the state, in locals like Pittsfield, Medway, North Attleboro, Peabody, Billerica, North Shore Consortium, Lynn, Chelmsford, and Lawrence – who all have contracts set to expire by August of 2025.
- On Jan. 5, 2025, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law – eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which drastically reduced the earned Social Security benefits of millions, including many Massachusetts educators. After decades of advocacy, phone calls, letters and hard work, we have won a historic victory, bringing more economic security to millions of retired public employees. You can find the AFT’s Fact Sheet on the SSFA here.
- If you haven’t already, sign the petition from our coalition partner, MassCare, calling for the Governor to re-open Carney Hospital, Nashoba Valley Medical Center, and Norwood Hospital.
- Our union brothers and sisters at SEIU509 and other partners have come together to oppose Governor Healey’s budget cuts and hospital closures, which will impact the most vulnerable patients and the people who serve them. Sign the petition here and contact your legislators today.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Workshops
Please sign up here for one or both! Details on upcoming workshops are below.
- February 27th, 5:00 pm: Protecting immigrant students’ rights & safety in our schools.
- March (Date TBD): Organizing around local school budgets with MassBudget and MEJA.
Wild in the Winter 2025
- Theme: Women Braid the Movement for a Better Future
- Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Location: North Shore Labor Council
- Register here.
Annual Paraprofessional & School Related Personnel Conference.
- Theme: Moving Forward Together.
- Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Location: Boston Teachers Union
- Register here.
K-12 Education Budget Update with the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance and MassBudget
- In this new year and new budget season, we have an important opportunity to push for critical funding for public schools and students! On February 3rd at 6 pm, MEJA and MassBudget will host a K-12 education budget update and conversation via Zoom.
- MassBudget will share about the State budget, and MEJA and our partners will facilitate smaller breakout discussions connecting the State budget to key local budgets. Will you join us? Register here! --> bit.ly/edbudgetwinter24