A Message from Jessica Tang

 

This month, as I joined AFT Massachusetts leaders and our union siblings from across the nation at the AFT Convention in Houston, Texas, we heard the news that President Biden would no longer be seeking reelection. That afternoon, I joined members of the AFT’s Executive Committee to unanimously endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President.

In the week-plus since then, we’ve seen why Kamala Harris is the right choice for this moment in our nation’s history. President Joe Biden is the best labor president in our nation’s history, and Vice President Kamala Harris has been by his side leading the fight for reproductive rights, labor rights, and social and economic justice.

Now, she is taking the fight to Donald Trump to defeat his planned assault on union rights, civil rights, and democracy, and to deliver the pro-worker agenda our students, families and communities need to thrive. It was thrilling to hear her speak to the AFT Convention about her unapologetic support for unions and our members — you could feel the energy in the room!

You can read more about Harris’ record here. And if you haven’t already, please join our AFT Massachusetts GOTV Team to get out the vote for Kamala Harris in battleground states this summer and fall.

In addition to the electoral excitement, the Convention was filled with inspiring speeches from leaders like AFT President Randi Weingarten, UAW President Shawn Fain, and civil rights leader Rachelle Horowitz, as well as informative presentations on topics such as paraprofessional rights, gun violence, and healthcare victories. I was proud to chair the Women’s Rights Breakfast, where we recognized honorees with the Living Legacy award for 30, 40 or 50 years of service to the union. Learn more about the AFT 2024 Convention here!

Read on for updates on several of our union’s other activities and priorities this month:

Organizing Opportunities

Join AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union for our annual Summer Organizing Institute this month, on August 14 and 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. 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.

In addition to the critical presidential race, the November election will feature several important local races, including legislative contests and ballot questions. This month, AFT Massachusetts will be hiring union members to work as paid Political Member Organizers to assist in energizing, educating and engaging members across Massachusetts and beyond into supporting AFT Massachusetts endorsed candidates and ballot questions. Members will be paid $25/hour for up to 10 hours a week, and engage in member outreach, door knocking, phone banking, and other activities. Learn more here and apply by August 16!

Contract Campaigns

I joined members of the Salem Teachers Union (STU) and Salem Public Schools parents and students this week as they rallied in support of the Union’s contract proposals, including paid parental leave and higher wages that meet the cost of living, particularly for the district’s low-paid paraprofessionals and student support staff. Thank you to everyone who showed up to support the STU in their fight!

AFT Massachusetts Members in the News

AFT Massachusetts members across the state are being recognized for their leadership in creating innovative programming for their students. Read about how Salem teachers are reducing absenteeism rates by making middle school more fun in the Boston Globe and listen to WBUR to hear how teachers in Lynn and Lowell are helping students tell their immigration stories.

Climate Corner

Young people are increasingly concerned about the effects of climate change, and incorporating conversations about the climate into your lessons is an important way to engage them. Share My Lesson has great tools for teaching about climate change and sustainability — find them here.

Beacon Hill Update

This week was the culmination of the Legislature’s two-year session, and saw progress on several major initiatives AFT Massachusetts has focused on:

• Governor Healey signed a final budget that fully funds the fourth-year implementation of the SOA, as well as $104 per pupil in minimum aid.
• The budget uses funding from the Fair Share Amendment for a host of education initiatives, including universal free school meals, free community college, and new funding for clean energy infrastructure in K-12 public schools.
• Comprehensive gun safety legislation that will make our leading firearms laws even stronger, keeping our students, schools, and communities safe.

I was also honored to be sworn in as a member of Governor Healey’s new Labor Advisory Council this month, along with Former President of AFT Massachusetts Beth Kontos and eighteen other labor leaders from across the state. I look forward to advising the Healey-Driscoll Administration on how state government can do even more to support our members and the students and communities we serve.

Solidarity Events