Revere Educators Lead the Way for Safer Schools
Revere Educators Lead the Way for Safer Schools
Greetings, MTA member,
We had the honor of attending a Revere City Council meeting last night, standing in solidarity with our Revere Teachers Association members as they brought their concerns – and their solutions – around school safety and the physical and mental well-being of their students and members to the council. There is no need for us to try and capture the passion and eloquence of these members sounding the alarm and demanding responses to their expert solutions to the problems.
We urge you to watch your incredible union siblings speak the truth. It will make you proud!
YES on 2 – Get involved!
We need every single member, and every single local, to take part in winning Question 2! This past week there were fairs in Melrose, Brookline and Reading, and canvasses and phone banks across the state. Indeed, you can now jump on a phone bank three afternoons a week. Everything you need to know is on the campaign website.
Get on your Soapboxx and tell us why you support Question 2!
Earlier this spring, you and your colleagues shared in our survey the impacts to your students with the focus on test preparation rather than actual learning. We shared those results to Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. Now, we’re asking that you continue your advocacy for your students. Take 30 seconds or a minute to record a video on why you support YES on 2. It can be done on your phone during your prep time, in your car, or anywhere.
You, our members, are the most powerful campaign strength we have. When you speak, people listen. They trust what you have to say about public education. Please join your local’s canvass or phone bank, or sign up to do it on your own – make phone calls from home, knock on doors in your community, share your story, or call on your school committee to pass a resolution in support of Question 2. Here are some easy ways to get involved.
New Solidarity Actions Interactive Map – Bookmark this!
We’re excited to launch a new interactive map for MTA educators to submit actions and get involved in MTA locals’ events. MTA members can see where locals, other unions, campaigns and community organizations are holding actions. The MTA encourages you to participate in these events to show your support for one another and our locals, make connections and build our collective power.
MTA Events, Solidarity and Other Opportunities
Springfield needs your solidarity
The Springfield Education Association, our second-largest preK-12 local, will kick off bargaining on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Meline Kasparian Professional Development Center (named after a former MTA President) at 1250 St. James Ave. in Springfield.
Kathy Greeley book readings on MCAS
One of our own members, retiree Kathy Greeley, has written a powerful memoir, “Testing Education,” about the impact of high-stakes testing on her colleagues and students. Join her at an upcoming book reading and discussion, at Odyssey Books in South Hadley on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m., or in Cambridge at Porter Square Books, on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m.
Take Action to Fully Repeal GPO/WEP
We have never been closer to eliminating the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision (GPO/WEP), which has deprived so many retirees of the Social Security benefits they deserve from work they did before, or even during, the time they worked as a Massachusetts educator.
Learn more and check out this video of NEA state affiliate presidents, from states where members are hurt by GPO/WEP.
Submit a legislative proposal
The MTA is seeking input from members as we develop our 2025-2026 legislative agenda.
We want to ensure that our legislative package reflects members’ visions for public education and the workplace. For reference, our current legislative priorities can be found here. The proposals will be reviewed by the MTA's Government Relations Committee. The GRC then makes recommendations to the MTA Board of Directors, which approves the association’s legislative agenda. Please click here to propose legislation for the MTA to consider in the 2025-2026 session. Members who want to propose legislation should submit their proposals by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30.
MCAS Ballot Question Vote YES on Question 2 (part of the Retiree Speaker Series)
Where: Register for this virtual event
When: Sept. 25, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Meet with MTA organizers and retirees to learn about their work and hear about how you can help win a YES vote on Question 2 to eliminate the MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement.
September All Presidents’ Meeting
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Location: Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
Join us on Sept. 21 for a crucial meeting for presidents and their guests, as we kick off a year of action on behalf of our members, students and public education – starting with building our momentum to win passage of Question 2 – to replace the MCAS as a graduation requirement!
Ask your local president if you can join them on that day. Presidents can attend with a team of core activists from their local. To register, click here. For more information, email mtagovernance@massteacher.org.
MTA Benefits’ $1,000 Back-to-School Giveaway
In celebration of its 55-year anniversary, MTA Benefits is giving one lucky member a $1,000 Visa gift card with the Back-to-School Giveaway. MTA Benefits provides benefit programs and savings on financial services, insurance, travel and much more. The giveaway ends Saturday, Sept. 14, so log in and enter today.
Political Education
United Teachers Los Angeles has been an inspiration for educator union organizing across the country, including here at the MTA. Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of UTLA from 2014 to 2020, including during one of its strikes, has spent the last year reflecting on UTLA’s journey to becoming such a powerful and effective force. Here is the first of his reflections.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb