The Boston Teachers Union joins with unions, community organizations and elected officials across our country who are calling for the enactment of Common Good demands during this public health crisis. We are grateful that in Boston and in the state of MA schools have closed and there are some important provisions that have been made to ensure the health and wellbeing of students, families, and workers in the Commonwealth, including free meals being provided to BPS students. There is an urgent need for more action to be taken, including:
- The state must provide immediate relief for impacted communities and immediate unemployment benefits for workers who cannot do their jobs as a result of the Coronavirus.
- The state must implement additional paid sick days for all workers in Boston and throughout Massachusetts, including those not covered by existing FMLA laws.
- There must be immediate and urgent action taken at all levels of government to provide free and widely available COVID-19 testing and treatment for all residents.
- The state must pass HD. 4935 now, which would enact a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 emergency.
- The state should cancel MCAS testing for this school year.
- Officials at all levels of government should work to cease all detentions and deportations by ICE.
- The state should suspend the implementation of the March 2020 memorandum of understanding between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the City of Boston until the crisis is over, and all parties can be at the table to decide the best path forward for our public schools.
Take Action
- Sign up for the BTU Volunteer Corps.
- Sign the petition to ensure all people (regardless of immigration status) have access to care to face the coronavirus pandemic.
- Contact your State legislators to express your support for HD. 4935, calling for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
- Contact Governor Baker ((617) 725-4005) to express your support for HD. 4935, calling for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
- Tell MA officials to cancel this year’s MCAS.