Join Our Yes on 2 Canvassing Kickoff!
Join Our Yes on 2 Canvassing Kickoff!
Greetings,
We’re both out on vacation this week, but we wanted to make sure you are making plans to join our Saturday, August 17, canvassing kickoff of the ‘Yes on 2’ campaign to end the high-stakes use of MCAS. Sign up to join one of a half dozen door-to-door canvasses happening all across the state! And if you haven’t already, visit the new Yes on 2 website.
Speaking of ‘Yes on 2,’ our labor allies are coming out in support of ending the high-stakes regime! In the last week, we’ve gotten endorsements from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and our fellow educators with AFT.
And kudos to MCCC Secretary and Bristol Community College professor Colleen Avedikian for her letter to the Boston Globe expressing the frustration members are feeling about having pay raises once again delayed because of legislative inaction. It’s bad enough that salaries for faculty and staff at community colleges in Massachusetts lag behind those in other states, but the persistent delays in receiving negotiated pay raises in a timely fashion shows a lack of respect for these hard-working educators. Urge your legislators to finalize the MCCC agreement now.
MTA Events, Opportunities and Solidarity Actions
Somerset Educators Win Strong Contract
Congratulations to the Somerset Teachers Association for winning and ratifying a breakthrough contract last week! Together, Units A and B achieved a 14.7% average salary increase, better paid family leave, better tuition reimbursement and more. Action leads to victory!
Registration Open for ESP Leadership Weekends
The MTA ESP Leadership Weekends program is a four-weekend course focused on leadership and communication strategies, strengthening interpersonal skills and supporting emerging ESP leaders. This is a great way for Education Support Professionals to gain crucial skills and connect with others in the field. Sign up by September 30.
Fair Share Generates $2.2 Billion
Our hard work to pass the Fair Share Amendment is paying off! Last Friday, the State
House News Service reported that the amendment generated $2.2 billion last year – the first full budget year the tax was in place. That’s more than double the state’s projections and will allow us to increase crucial funding to our state’s public education and transportations systems. Get the latest news and read about the major investments funded by the Fair Share Amendment.
2024-2025 Funding Requests for Attending National Conferences
The MTA is accepting applications for members to request funding to attend national conferences during this academic year. This is a great opportunity for members to immerse themselves in union and job-specific education while engaging with members across the country. National conferences provide an opportunity to learn from renowned leaders, share stories with other members, and learn from one other. Limited funding from both MTA and NEA is provided for these conferences. Space is very limited. If you are interested in applying for funding for one or more educational conference opportunities, please fill out this survey form.
Cellphones in Schools? Join the Conversation!
States around the country are banning or restricting students' cell phones in schools. Should Massachusetts take similar action? Tell us what you think.
Political Education
The labor news out of Minnesota keeps getting better. Read this article about how Governor Tim Walz’s state has been able to accomplish legislation that ensures paid leave and prohibits captive anti-union meetings, among other measures. The Massachusetts legislature should take note!
In solidarity,
Max and Deb