Putting Fair Share to Work
Putting Fair Share to Work
At the end of last week, we solidified several important victories in a supplemental budget in the Legislature: $20 million more for reimbursement to public schools for the impact of private charter schools; a continuation of the MTA-proposed Tomorrow’s Educators scholarship program to help our high school students become the future educators in our public schools; and funding for several contracts for our higher ed local Financial Aid for Educators.
This week we’ll continue to call for more of the millions we won by passing the Fair Share Amendment to protect public education — this time to win passage of crucial legislation, which will help protect public higher ed jobs from federal funding cuts. Listen to our higher ed members talk about why this matters.
And we are fighting to protect your professional expertise around literacy in the face of the Legislature seeking to dictate exactly what you can do in your classroom. Listen to our members and national experts explain what is wrong with this so-called “science of reading” proposal. Please help us take action (see below), as a vote is expected in the House on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, our locals are out on the streets fighting for their communities. Shout out to the Dedham Education Association members, who were out standing strong last Wednesday.
These victories and good efforts, however, are being overshadowed by more cruelty coming down from Washington. The Trump administration is choosing to cut off payments for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) on Nov. 1, thus taking food away from hundreds of thousands of working families and their children, as well as senior citizens and people with disabilities. The NEA has provided details on how these cuts will hit Massachusetts families and I (Max) discussed this travesty on the radio this past Friday.
The NEA is leading the charge, and many in our state are joining the chorus. Take action here.
MTA Events, Opportunities and Solidarity Actions
Ballot Initiative Support The MTA board voted recently to support several ballot initiatives for the 2026 statewide election. If you are interested in helping to gather signatures for these campaigns, or otherwise support them, please follow these links.
Rent Control: The initiative is proposed by Homes for All Massachusetts and would limit annual rent increases in Massachusetts to no more than 5 percent, exempting owner-occupied buildings of four units or less.
Legislator Stipends: This campaign, organized by the Legislative Effectiveness and Accountability Partnership, would reform stipends including by capping the number and size of stipends paid to legislators and tying them to positions involving significant amounts of work.
Gun Safety: This campaign, led by Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts, would protect an existing law that regulates untraceable “ghost guns” and strengthens firearms licensing.
Take Action This Week! Urge Legislators to Listen to Educators on Literacy
The House of Representatives is advancing legislation that, as currently drafted, would mandate the use of specific literacy curriculum in school districts and restrict educators from implementing effective practices. H.4642 is currently before the House Committee on Ways & Means and could be up for a vote Wednesday on the House floor. We need you to write to and call your legislators right away to tell them to listen to educators and vote no on legislation that creates a one-size-fits-all approach to literacy instruction.
November and December Bargaining Workshops
The MTA's Bargaining Campaign Strategy Team still has space in its fall and early winter program of bargaining workshops. These workshops offer a combination of in-person and online classes on bargaining foundations, democratized bargaining, contract costing and more. Based on member interest, this series also features a new, full-day workshop that dives into municipal/school finances, including regional school finances. All MTA members are welcome. Register today! Questions? Email bargaining@massteacher.org.
Solidarity School: Emergency Planning for Immigrant Families
When: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30
Where: MTA Central office, 2nd floor, 12 East Worcester St., Worcester
Learn how to help prepare and protect immigrant families in case of immigration-related emergencies, directly from community organizers on the ground doing this work. This in-person workshop offers practical steps, resources and legal tools for educators to support families in creating safety plans and help them stay connected during times of crisis.
See the full list of Solidarity School workshops and register at massteacher.org/solidarityschool.
People’s Forums on Graduation Readiness
When: 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4
Where: St. Stephen’s, 419 Shawmut Ave., Boston
The MTA has been working collaboratively with Citizens for Public Schools to host People's Forums on Graduation Readiness to hear from more concerned citizens of the Commonwealth. The forums are working sessions that seek answers to three questions: What should students know and be able to do by the time they graduate, how should they demonstrate their readiness to graduate and how can schools support these goals? Upcoming forums are Nov. 4 in the South End of Boston and Nov. 6 in Lowell. Register for the Nov. 4 South End forum or Register for the Nov. 6 Lowell forum.
Educators and Immigration Rights
When: 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5
Where: Virtual
As part of the First Wednesday Retired Speaker Series, come learn about a statewide response effort led by fellow educators to address the impact of the immigration enforcement crisis on our schools, communities and college campuses. Learn, exchange tools and resources, and join with fellow MTA members who are actively organizing around the issue.
Rally to Support Fuerza Waltham
When: 11 a.m. vigil, 12:30 p.m. rally, Saturday, Nov. 8
Where: Waltham District Courthouse
Please join Fuerza Waltham on Nov. 8 to peacefully and powerfully demand an end to the abductions and deportations of our neighbors. Gather for a vigil at the courthouse at 11 a.m., followed by a march to Waltham Common for a rally at 12:30 p.m.
Register For EMAC Conference: Rooted in Justice, Powered by Unity!
When: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6
Where: Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center
Join the Ethnically Marginalized Affairs Committee at its 46th annual conference. Friday evening will open with featured poet and educator, Princess Moon, followed by the sounds of The KabuJazz Duo. Saturday will include workshops, community circles and a plenary session with Javier Luengo-Garrido, Deputy Field Director for Regional Engagement at the ACLU of MA. Registration deadline is Nov. 19.
Political Education
Are your retirement funds that are invested in the state’s pension fund supporting fossil fuels, guns and bombs, and private equity that destroys companies, raises rent on housing for working people, destroys hospitals and is virulently anti-union?
Most assuredly so.
Instead of using our Massachusetts retirement funds to advance the common good, by investments in housing, for example, or using its leverage to advance climate solutions, our PRIM fund spends millions every year investing in private equity and other “alternative investments” that don’t perform well, but go against our values.
It's an issue we have to wrestle with. Check out this column from the new issue of In These Times, which is dedicated to explaining the problem and mapping out ways forward. (Oh, and MTA member Lenore Palladino from UMass Amherst is quoted). To learn more about what the MTA Pension Task Force is working on, contact Arthur MacEwan, retired UMass Boston professor and task force chair.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb