Democracy on the Ballot:

Voting Rights and Summer Campaigns

On April 29th, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 party-line ruling on a lawsuit challenging the legality of Louisiana’s recently redrawn congressional districts. Legal experts across the country have warned the decision will further hollow out the Voting Rights Act of 1965, disenfranchise voters of color, and lead to a less diverse Congress. Since that ruling, 17 states have taken official steps to redraw their congressional maps. Today, the future of representative democracy in America is vulnerable. We have the power and the duty to protect its foundations and guide its development towards a better future and not a return to the past.

On Saturday, BTU Vice President Lea Serena joined AFT MA President Jessica Tang in Montgomery, Alabama for the “All Roads Lead to the South” rally. The demonstration drew thousands of people to the birthplace of the civil rights movement to protest the latest attempts at voter suppression and to organize ahead of the September elections.

(Pictured here with BTU Executive Board Member Russ Weiss-Irwin)

You can find the minutes of that meeting and endorsement details in the member portal. Each endorsement approved by the membership will be listed on our Political Action page by Wednesday morning.

In the coming weeks, we’ll share details about opportunities to directly support both candidate and ballot campaigns this summer. Contact BTU Political Director Johnny McInnis and/or Political Organizer Aayush Bajpai for more details.

Remember, this year’s primary elections are happening before Labor Day on September 1!

BTU Budget Campaign

On Tuesday, May 26, the Boston City Council is holding its last scheduled meeting for public testimony on the City and BPS budget proposals for the upcoming school year. This proposal includes the Boston Public Schools budget approved by the School Committee that will cut approximately 400 student-facing positions across the district.

The cuts will impact teachers, inclusion paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists, nurses, librarians and many more service areas programs which that directly support students and have contributed to the district’s recent progress. (link to graduation data press release). Every community across the country is facing financial hardship which requires difficult choices to achieve fiscal balance. Cutting hundreds of educator positions at a time when the district is making commendable progress is not a difficult but necessary choice, it’s a short-sighted solution which leverages the future of our students to solve a present problem.

Since the day the proposal was released, the BTU has been organizing. We’ve held rallies, organized phonebanking, met with decision-makers at City Hall, collaborated with community organizations and spoken at numerous School Committee meetings and City Council hearings. Because of this, we’ve successfully restored dozens of positions at schools across the city. But we have to keep fighting for our students until the last possible minute.

Check out the flyers below for details on how you can continue our advocacy this week for a better budget for our students.

At this month’s membership meeting, BTU members who participated in the Policy and Organizing Program (The POP) presented their action research into education policy issues that affect our schools, our students, and our profession. As part of the POP program, BTU members joined their AFT colleagues in the National Teacher Leader Alumni Research Institute, to explore topics aligned to our union’s priorities and ongoing organizing work. Our researchers shared their projects which focused on facilities, protecting our immigrant students, ABA class sizes, PD for paras, cost of living for educators and students, curriculum, and literacy. Congratulations to all of our fellows!

The BTU membership also celebrated Marjie Crosby and Mark Lonergan for receiving AFT MA Distinguished Service Awards at this year’s annual convention. The award recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions to their union and broader community. Thank you Marjie and Mark for all the work you do to support our union!

BTU Events and Announcements

BTU Collective Bargaining Committee & Contract Organizing Committee Applications

Get involved in next year’s contract negotiations! The Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) is primarily responsible for developing our bargaining package and the Contract Organizing Committee (COC) is primarily responsible for setting up Contract Action (CAT) Teams that will allow us to quickly reach every single member about union actions. BTU members are encouraged to apply to either or both committees. You can find full descriptions of job roles and responsibilities here: CBC & COC Applications

Correction: BTU Black Caucus Meeting: May 19th, 5:30-8pm at BTU Hall
The BTU Black Caucus will meet in person at the BTU Hall this Thursday. New officers will be elected at this meeting. Please RSVP to jmcinnis@btu.org if you are attending so there is an accurate headcount for dinner.

BTU/BPS Resume and Interview Prep Night for Teachers: May 19, 5:00-6:30
If you are an educator looking for help with your resume or interview prep, sign up here to join the BTU and BPS for an evening of support at the BTU.

BTU in the Boston Pride Parade Planning Meeting: May 26, 5pm on Zoom
The BTU’s LGBTQ+ Committee is holding an open planning meeting to finalize details about our AFT MA/ BTU contingent’s participation in the annual Boston Pride for the People Parade om Saturday June 6th. Click here for the Zoom link to the planning meeting and if you haven’t already: register to march with your fellow BTU members!

The BTU seeks 8-12 Summer Organizing Union Leaders (SOULs) to build power for our next round of BPS-BTU contract negotiations. No previous experience is necessary to be a SOUL. SOULs receive training and coaching in effective organizing practices, including how to have effective one-on-one conversations and how to escalate a campaign, in order to develop a deeper understanding of what it takes to build power and win the schools our students deserve. July 27th-Aug. 28th, 2026. Flexible hours. Trainings on Mondays from 2-5pm at BTU. Paid position: $20/hour for 60 hours total ($1200). Learn more and apply at btu.org/soul.

AFT MA/BTU Summer Organizing Institute: June 29-30

Summer Organizing Institute (SOI) is our union’s deep organizing space to build the skills we need to win for our members, students and families in the classroom and beyond. From bargaining strong contracts, building strong school-site union structures and taking our movement to the streets in this critical time— we must be ready. Join us for SOI 2026; Monday June 29th 1:00pm-4:00pm Tuesday, June 30th, 2026, 8:30am-4:00pm at the BTU. This is a FREE institute for all BTU and AFT-MA members with meals included. Learn more and register to attend at bit.ly/AFTMassSOI26

Professional Learning & Development Updates

Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you. You can find a full description of each listing on our Professional Learning & Development Updates Page.

• World Languages Spring Professional Development
• Fourth Annual Aspire & Inspire Educator Symposium – June 4th 5-7pm
• 2026 Telescope Network Needs Assessment Report

Community Events

“Genocide Is a Crisis in Humanitarianism”: Speaking event on May 26th, 5-7pm
Please come to the BTU Hall Lounge for a talk from Doctors Against Genocide co-founder Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle. DAG is a movement of healthcare workers committed to mobilizing the medical community against war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide by education, advocacy, and community support. All are welcome. A light dinner will be provided. Registration required.

Another Course to College: Handle With Care Art Project

In November, SY25–26, the ACC community learned that the school will close at the end of SY26-27. In response, students are creating multimedia artworks to process grief, uncertainty, and joy while honoring the memories and relationships that define this community. This exhibition is not only a response to closure; it is an act of preservation. Through artmaking, students share their stories and identities. They document what this community has meant to them, what they will carry forward, and what they refuse to let disappear. More details are available on the flyer below.

BTU in the News

BTU President Erik Berg was featured in an NBC10 Boston report covering demonstrations in Boston on Saturday which were part of a national Voting Rights Day of Action.

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.