Press

Teachers Advocate for Stronger, More Equitable Retirement for Some of the Commonwealth’s Longest-Serving Educators

Teachers Advocate for Stronger, More Equitable Retirement for Some of the Commonwealth’s Longest-Serving Educators (February 18, 2025)

Urge legislators to support bills to address flawed roll-out of teacher retirement plan

Teachers from public school districts across Massachusetts hosted an advocacy day on Beacon Hill in support of two pieces of legislation that seek to give some of the state’s longest serving educators a more equitable and stronger retirement by addressing the issues caused by the state’s incredibly flawed roll-out of the Massachusetts Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan (TARP

AFT Massachusetts: Senate Passes Common-Sense Approach to Ensure Distraction-Free Learning for All Students

AFT Massachusetts: Senate Passes Common-Sense Approach to Ensure Distraction-Free Learning for All Students (July 31, 2025).

The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts released the following statement in response to legislation passed by the Massachusetts Senate today to address cell phone use in schools:

“Technology is a transformational tool in education, from allowing us to foster collaboration on a completely different level to making countless materials and resources available at our fingertips, allowing us to expand the horizons of our students in unprecedented ways. But, it’s

AFT Massachusetts Brings National ‘Protect Our Kids’ Day of Action to Districts Throughout the Commonwealth

AFT Massachusetts Brings National ‘Protect Our Kids’ Day of Action to Districts Throughout the Commonwealth (March 4, 2025)

Closed out with virtual town hall on what is at stake for students, schools, and educators under Trump agenda

Education leaders, parents, teachers, activists, and students around the country participated in over 2,000 events across the country as part of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)'s nationwide day of action yesterday, calling out the Trump Administration’s dangerous education agenda for what it is – widespread cuts impacting every district in the nation

AFT Massachusetts Holds ‘Protect Our Kids’ Day of Action to Fight Trump and Musk’s Cuts to America’s Public Schools

AFT Massachusetts Holds ‘Protect Our Kids’ Day of Action to Fight Trump and Musk’s Cuts to America’s Public Schools (March 3, 2025)

The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts will join thousands of other educators, students, and activists across the state and country to fight back against Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s cruel cuts to public schools as part of a national day of action tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4.

Nationwide, the AFT’s “Protect our Kids” Day of Action seeks to raise awareness about the Trump Administration’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education and slash federal

Markey Leads Members of Massachusetts Delegation, Unions in Disavowing Trump’s Attempt to Dismantle Education Department

Markey Leads Members of Massachusetts Delegation, Unions in Disavowing Trump’s Attempt to Dismantle Education Department (February 6, 2025)

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation -- Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) -- along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association

By a vote of 158-to-0, the Massachusetts House of Representatives today passed critical legislation to bring more equity and dignity to the retirement of some of the state’s longest-serving public school teachers. Filed by House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch and Representative Rob Consalvo, An Act relative to benefits for teachers would allow teachers hired before January 1, 2001 a one-time opportunity to buy into the Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan (TARP), also known as Retirement Plus, after thousands of eligible teachers were not able to successfully enroll in the program over twenty years ago.

“From teachers on maternity leave to teachers dropped from the program with no notification, the roll-out of Retirement Plus continues to impact the lives of teachers across the state nearly a quarter-century later,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “We are grateful to Assistant Leader Peisch for her commitment to providing educators the equitable and secure retirement they deserve. We look forward to the Senate taking action this session so that this issue and the educators impacted by it can get the debate in that chamber that they deserve.”

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Senator Markey’s Calls to Safeguard Federal Education Funding

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Senator Markey’s Calls to Safeguard Federal Education Funding (February 27, 2025)

American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, legislation filed by Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey that would safeguard funds for public schools during the length of the Trump Administration, specifically those that allow public schools to serve low-income students, English learners, students with disabilities, homeless students, and students attending rural schools:

“Public schools are

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Healey Administration and Attorney General Campbell in Commitment to Providing an Equal and Inclusive Public Education for All Students

AFT Massachusetts Stands with Healey Administration and Attorney General Campbell in Commitment to Providing an Equal and Inclusive Public Education for All Students (February 27, 2025)

American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to the announcement that Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell have released updated guidance to support Massachusetts’ public schools in their work to further equal access and representation in education in response to recent Executive Orders by President Trump and a U.S

AFT Massachusetts Responds to Trump Threats to Freeze All Federal Funding

AFT Massachusetts Responds to Trump Threats to Freeze All Federal Funding (January 28, 2025)

American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all federal funding and grants:

“This thoughtless and, frankly, reckless decision to halt all federal funding will cause unprecedented harm to our students, families, and educators of the Commonwealth. In one week, President Trump has created an environment of chaos, fear and division throughout the nation and this latest announcement only cements his complete

Educators and labor leaders from 219 local unions across the state are urging members of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget conference committee to include important language regarding educator retirement options in the final version of the FY26 budget.

For decades, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts and member locals, including the Boston Teachers Union, have helped members navigate their complex benefits systems, including the Massachusetts Teachers Alternative Retirement Plan (or Retirement Plus). Due to an ineffective and confusing roll-out by the state in 2001, thousands of teachers were unfairly shut out of this enhanced retirement system, forcing them to teach for an additional 3 to 5 years to reach their maximum retirement benefit. Unfortunately, this continues to impact thousands of teachers across the state nearly a quarter-century later.

“After years of advocacy, we are energized to see movement to fully address the issues around the original roll-out of Retirement plus, which continue to impact teachers nearly a quarter of a century later,” said AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “We urge the Conferees to include the language from the House budget to provide some of our state's longest-serving teachers with the equitable and secure retirement they deserve.”