"We are 100 percent behind any of our locals that choose to reject this recommendation"
MTA President Merrie Najimy
Educating in the COVID Era
Breaking News
MTA Rejects DESE Guidance on Requiring Remote Teaching from Schools
MTA President Merrie Najimy on DESE-issued guidance on educators working in school buildings during remote learning:
We reject the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s recommendation that teachers be required to conduct remote instruction from their school buildings regardless of safety. It is paternalistic and punitive and has no bearing on the quality of education that the real experts — the educators — provide so masterfully.
This new guidance is clearly designed to force local educators’ unions to agree to in-person learning regardless of the condition of the school buildings in their districts, indoor air quality, testing capabilities or area COVID-19 transmission rates.
Educators rally for safe learning conditions
Several hundred educators gathered outside the State House today chanting and cheering for a safe return to learning. “Stand up! Fight Back!” was one of the rallying cries as members of the MTA, AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union — along with supporters from other unions and community allies — demanded that the governor require all school districts to open remotely until health and safety measures are met.
“Our members are longing to get back to in-person teaching and learning, and students are longing to see their educators and friends in person,” said MTA President Merrie Najimy. “But our greatest obligation as educators is to protect the health and safety of our students as we educate them."
ONly when it's safe
Higher education rallies target layoffs, cuts
Students, staff and faculty members who are fighting back against budget cuts at public colleges and universities rallied on campuses across the state, drawing attention to the devastating loss of personnel and programs.
“When they talk about cutting staff, like student life counselors and librarians, and call them nonessential, I need to speak up,” public higher education graduate Melody Rondeau told the crowd during a rally at Bristol Community College in Fall River.
Rondeau said she dropped out of high school and after six years decided that she needed to resume her education. She enrolled at Massasoit Community College, where she received the kind of support necessary to help a nontraditional student such as herself succeed.
For MTA Members
Legal Help
Get answers to frequently asked questions related to COVID-19 from the MTA's Legal Division.
Health and Safety Resources
A Guide for Bargaining the Safe Return to Schools and Campuses
Policies and practices for a safe return to our schools and campuses.
Read MoreBuilding Safety Checklist
A list of preparations to incorporate with your local association's building safety plan.
Read MoreBargaining and Online Resources for MTA Members
Resources and tools for bargaining health and safety conditions.
Read MoreInformation Request/Demand to Bargain
Request form based on MGL ch. 150E.
Read MoreCoronavirus-Related Posts
Budget proposal a ‘victory’ for education, but more is needed
MTA President Merrie Najimy says that the 2021 state budget should fund the public good to ensure “a promising future...
Take Action to #DefendPublicHigherEd
Call on your legislators to provide, at a minimum, level funding for all of public higher ed.
Invest in Our Recovery community briefings
Make plans to attend one of the many community briefings being help across the state.
Tell legislators you support fair taxes for a just recovery
Make plans to attend one of the many community briefings being help across the state.