Labor is key to protecting our democracy
Labor is key to protecting our democracy
Greetings, MTA members,
At the summer MTA Board meeting, we had the privilege of hearing from Hardy Merriman, a writer and strategist on civil resistance, about the threat of “democratic backsliding” into authoritarianism and the fightback required to preserve our democracy. I urge you to view his slides.
The bad news is clear – when democracies begin to backslide because of an authoritarian leader and movement such as we have in Washington, there is no inevitable reversal. Democracies do not naturally protect themselves.
The good news is also clear – when large numbers of the public protest in the streets consistently, the attacks can be reversed. Some estimate that we need at least 3.5 percent of the population to build the force needed to stop the backsliding. That’s about 12 million people.
Even more importantly – when there is a powerful labor movement to push back, success is much more likely. (See slide 24: The power of unions!) You, as union members, and we, the MTA and the broader labor movement, are the defenders of democracy. We have been called to action. You all responded on May Day, on No Kings Day, and at many other protests, small and large. Now we ask to show up on our day – Labor Day – when we declare that we will build a society for workers, not for billionaires.
MTA Events, Opportunities and Solidarity Actions
Save the Date – Labor Day Solidarity Parade (Boston)
When: Monday, Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Boston
Just as all of you and millions across the country showed up for rallies and marches for May Day and No Kings Day, we need to do so again. Protests alone won’t stop rising authoritarianism, but they are necessary to demonstrate that we will defend our democracy.
Labor Day March and Gathering (Holyoke)
When: Monday, Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Holyoke City Hall
Join the Holyoke Teachers Association, Springfield Education Association and other labor allies and friends in a Labor Day March and Gathering, starting from Holyoke City Hall and ending at Veterans Park with a speaking program, food trucks and a picnic. Register here.
All Presidents’ Meeting
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. Lunch will follow when the meeting ends.)
Where: Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham
Please join us as we celebrate some recent victories and continue to build stronger locals and a stronger MTA! Registration ends on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Register today for the September 2025 All Presidents’ Meeting.
Note: Each local president should have received a unique registration link — please email MTAGovernance@massteacher.org if you have not. The link allows you to add guests of your choice – we urge you to invite a few local leaders/activists. If you are a member who would like to attend, ask your local president.
Save the Dates: Regional Member and Presidents Meetings
All presidents and members are invited to the following regional meetings. All meetings are scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, Metro region - MTA Headquarters, Quincy.
Tuesday, Oct. 21, Western region - Holyoke Community College, Holyoke.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, Berkshires region, Pittsfield Regional Office, Pittsfield.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, Cape Cod region - CapeSpace, Hyannis.
Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Central region - Central Regional Office, Worcester.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Southeast region - Southeast Regional Office, Raynham.
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Northeast region - Northeast Regional Office, Middleton.
Actions Taken by the MTA Executive Committee and Board of Directors in July Actions taken by the MTA Executive Committee and Board at meetings on July 17 and July 26-27 can be found here. Scroll down on the page for Executive Committee actions.
Political Education
Authoritarian regimes, like the one leading our federal government right now, seek to consolidate their power and impose their will, in part, by trying to change how we teach history. They effectively want to undermine truthful history and replace it with myth and invention that fulfill their goals. David Blight, the immediate past president of the Organization of American Historians, is calling us all into the battle against erasing history.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb