Our Union’s Fight for Fair Contracts and Quality Public Education
Our Union’s Fight for Fair Contracts and Quality Public Education
Greetings,
Sometimes the joy of the work is in the mileage.
We have the privilege (accompanied, of course, by traffic-induced frustration) of driving around Massachusetts to join our members in their contract battles, to participate in their events supporting our statewide campaigns, and simply to hear about the issues of greatest concern.
On Monday, we had one of those serendipitous trips that reminded us of our union’s mission. We started in Boylston at the Honor Our Own Luncheon, the first in-person, Retired members event since the onset of the pandemic, and a recognition of several retired leaders. Here were a hundred members who had helped build our best-in-the-nation public education system, one school district at a time, and who were ready to join the fight to maintain the quality of our schools. They are our collective memory and our Wisdom Warriors.
Sixty miles south, in Fall River, we joined 200 members of the Fall River Educators’ Association, who are fighting for a fair contract in negotiations that have dragged on since January. FREA members know that together our union won passage of the Student Opportunity Act, which is increasing Fall River’s state funding by 50%. They know that together we won the Fair Share Amendment, which is making $2 billion available for public schools, colleges and transportation – every year. Their demands for paid parental leave, fair pay and educator autonomy are righteous. One after another, FREA members spoke to the school committee – eloquently, passionately and with fierce determination. It was an honor to be there.
A beautiful fall day, and a beautiful day in the life of our union.
Nov. 5 is right around the corner – Get involved!
This YES on 2 coalition is broad and deep, from our members to parents to school committees and elected leaders. We are especially pleased to share a video of one of those supporters – U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley – in dialogue with Somerville Educators Union President Dayshawn Simmons.
Between now and Election Day, we are asking each of you to take (at least) two hours to help us win in the final three weeks:
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Join a YES on 2 canvass or phone bank and call residents of swing states for Democratic nominees Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
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“Talk to 10” — Make a list and start calling 10 friends and family members, and ask them to vote YES on 2. To help you, we have talking points and answers to your frequently asked questions.
MTA members can also help the Harris-Walz presidential ticket and MTA-recommended candidates for U.S. Senate, House and the state Senate and House of Representatives. Check out the MTA Election Guide for a full list of candidates and key election dates.
MTA Events & Opportunities
Up to $25K in Scholarships Available to Massachusetts Educators
Tomorrow’s Teachers program, an MTA initiative, offers up to $25,000 per year in scholarships to Massachusetts public college or university students on track to become teachers in one of our public schools. Apply by Nov. 18 to access these state funds, available each year for four years. Thousands of dollars in state funds for loan repayment are also available to educators. Learn more at massteacher.org/financialaidforeducators.
Brainstorm: Conversations on AI in Public Education
Where: Worcester State University
When: Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join your fellow MTA members for a day of discussion about the promises and problems of artificial intelligence and large language model software in our schools, colleges and universities — no keynote speeches, no consultants, no sales pitches from software companies. Just conversations about the challenges and opportunities that AI and related technologies present for our students, colleagues, communities and union. Learn more and register.
Early Career Educators Conference - Propose a Workshop
Where: DCU Center, Worcester
When: March 1
The New Member Committee requests proposals for the Early Career Educators Conference, designed for members in their first five years. All topics are welcome, but this year, the committee is especially interested in topics for higher education members and relating to social justice, pedagogy and practice, and union organizing basics.
Paid Student Teaching
Where: Virtual
When: Nov. 7, at 4 p.m.
This session will provide an overview of paid student teaching. It will start with an introduction of the Student Education Association of Massachusetts, an association for students in college who are preparing to become educators. An overview of the national picture of paid student teaching and a discussion of DESE’s teacher residencies pilot program will follow. The pilot program is expected to begin in 2025-2026. Register for the session here.
MTA Electoral Districts
The Electoral Review Committee (ERC) is charged with reviewing MTA’s electoral districts and regions every three years to ensure compliance and fair representation. Any member may give input to the committee as it takes on this work, which culminates in a recommendation to the delegates at the 2025 Annual Meeting, in May. The Bylaw covering the committee’s processes and the current plan can be viewed here. Please contact MTAGovernance@massteacher.org by Nov. 4 if you wish to provide written input to the committee or want to attend a Nov. 7 committee hearing.
Political Education
One of our priorities is to build momentum for establishing and expanding the community school model. On Monday, Pedro Noguera, dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, spoke to nearly 100 MTA members about his work in addressing inequality, and was joined by the superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools, and by Melissa Verdier, Education Association of Worcester president.
A recording of the webinar is coming soon! In the meantime, please feel free to download this free PDF book, The Community Schools Revolution, which will be the selection for a book group that kicks off with a statewide virtual meeting on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. We then move into in-person regional book club meetings. Sign up for the book club.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb