Union News: Solidarity wins
Union News: Solidarity wins
Congratulations to our higher ed members, who finally forced the Legislature to do what they should have done back in the summer – fund the ratified contracts for our 18,000 higher education members, not to mention another 50,000 state workers.
We may have to wait for a warm “Thank You” card from lawmakers, but make no mistake: with petitions, rallies and phone calls to lawmakers, our members and members of the AFL-CIO helped the Legislature do its job.
Higher ed members will take the frustration with the Legislature and, more importantly, this feeling of solidarity into the new year and fight for a strong, three-year contract and passage of the Cherish Act for outstanding, debt-free public colleges and universities. It looks like U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley agree that passing Cherish is vital – check out their op-ed running in MassLive today! And join the conversation on our Facebook page.
And we should be thrilled that all of you, and our allies, gathered 135,000 signatures for our MCAS ballot initiative. We will deliver the final boxes of certified signatures to the Secretary of State’s office tomorrow at 11 a.m, starting with a press conference in front of the State House.
MTA Events and Solidarity Actions
Using Classroom Assessments, a Webinar with MTA VP Deb McCarthy and NEA VP Princess Moss
When: Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Join NEA Vice President Princess Moss, MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy and best-selling author Rick Stiggins for a discussion on how educators can use classroom-level assessment as a cause of learning that can be a key source of student confidence.
In this special webinar, which is free to NEA/MTA members, Stiggins will share important lessons learned from his career — most importantly, how to cultivate a sense of belonging in school to support students in becoming confident, lifelong learners. Register here.
Student Loan Debt Relief Programs
The office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is holding a webinar this afternoon, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., to guide residents on a historic student loan debt relief opportunity. For a limited time, teachers can get credit toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for past repayment periods that would not otherwise qualify toward forgiveness. Through this opportunity, more than 15,000 Massachusetts borrowers have already received over $1 billion in loan forgiveness. To access relief, some borrowers must take action by Dec. 31.
Learn more about the steps you need to take to benefit and maximize forgiveness by signing up for the live webinar with the Attorney General’s office or by watching a recorded webinar.
School-Based Behavioral Health Summit
When: Thursday, Dec. 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston
The Children's Mental Health Campaign is holding a conference on December 14 at Regis College in Weston, to share approaches to address the youth behavioral and mental health crisis. The deadline for registration is Thursday. Register here.
Virtual Licensure Workshops
Learn more about the licensure process at upcoming workshops. All sessions are free and open to all. Learn more and register.
Save the Date for the All Presidents’ Meeting
When: Saturday, Jan. 20
Where: Verve Hotel, 1360 Worcester St., Natick
Ask your local president if you can join them on that day. Presidents can attend with a team of core activists from their local. A registration link is forthcoming. For more information, email mtagovernance@massteacher.org.
Winter Union Skills Conference
When: Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8 a.m.
Where: Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham
Additional information and a registration link will be posted here soon.
MTA Education Support Professionals Conference
When: April 5 - 6, 2024
Where: Sea Crest Beach Hotel, 350 Quaker Road, North Falmouth
Go here to get links to submit a workshop proposal, nominate a first-time participant to receive a scholarship, or submit a candidate for ESP of the Year. Conference registration will open in February.
Legislating for a Dignified Retirement (part of the First Wednesday MTA Retiree Speaker Series
When: Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Join us for an overview of the current state of the teacher pension Cost of Living adjustment (COLA) and the Windfall Elimination Provision - Government Pension Offset (WEP-GPO). Learn more and register.
Nominations
Nominate a Civil Rights Hero
The MTA Human Relations Committee is soliciting nominations for the MTA Human and Civil Rights Awards, which honor individuals and groups for showing extraordinary dedication to civil rights and human relations.The awards will be presented on Friday, June 14, at the 2024 Human and Civil Rights Awards celebration.
Go to massteacher.org/hcr to learn more and download a nomination form. The deadline to submit nominations is March 22, 2024.
If you have any questions, please email Director of Governance and Administration Jennifer Freeling or Olivia Osiecki, executive assistant to the President, VP and EDT, at MTAGovernance@massteacher.org.
Nominations Are Now Open for MTA ESP of the Year
Do you know an ESP who deserves recognition for their professionalism and dedication? Nominations are now open for MTA’s most anticipated award, the ESP of the Year. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 2, 2024. The winner will be announced at the ESP Conference in April.
Remember, ESPs in both higher education and preK-12 are eligible for this honor. Learn more and nominate an ESP.
Nominations Are Open for MTA Candidate Recommendation Committee
The MTA’s CRC is responsible for making recommendations to MTA members to support candidates for state and federal office. This year, seats representing the following congressional districts on the CRC are up for election: CD3, CD4, CD6, CD7, CD8 and CD9. One seat is open for each district listed.
Committee members must reside in the congressional district to be represented. Any MTA member interested in running for the CRC must fill out the self-nomination form, available online at massteacher.org/nomform. The form and a biographical statement of not more than 100 words must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 29. Contact John Connelly in the MTA Division of Governance and Administration at 617-878-8305 or jconnelly@massteacher.org with any questions about the nomination or election process.
Delegate Nominations
Delegates to the NEA RA, Regional and Retired Ethnic Minority Delegates to the 2024 MTA Annual Meeting and Statewide Retired District Delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting are all open. Please click here to learn more.
Political Education
Bayard Rustin – organizer of the March on Washington in 1963, key advisor to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), leader of the first Freedom Ride in 1947 to challenge segregation in interstate travel, key advisor to King in the Montgomery bus boycott and a key instigator in the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference – is getting more attention these days, with new books about his life and a new film (produced by the Obamas) just released on Netflix.
Rustin was also one of the authors, along with A. Philip Randolph and King of the Freedom Budget for All Americans, published in 1966, which was a visionary call for a broad, multiracial, working-class movement based on a commitment to full employment, progressive taxes, universal health care, fair wages and fair prices for farmers. This was a blueprint for a civil rights movement that would be dedicated to the dual goals of achieving racial and economic justice.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb