Membership Meeting TOMORROW, Awareness Campaign Launch, and more

As COVID-19 rates persist and even increase in some Massachusetts communities, we have teamed with AFT and AFT-MA to launch a multi-platform public awareness campaign this week underscoring our members’ support for state and local investments in providing the safest possible return to in-person learning for Massachusetts students. You may recognize several of your colleagues in this campaign! A major thank you to all of the educators – many of whom are also BPS parents – who took the time to film with us and get the word out to our friends and neighbors.

We mourn the loss of Daunte Wright in Minnesota as yet another needless loss of life, while also revisiting trauma and pain during the trial to find justice for George Floyd. Both serve as continued reminders of the deep work that must be done to truly address racial violence. Our hearts of with all who are experiencing anger, loss and pain yet again.  

The recent murders of six Asian women in Georgia and ongoing attacks on elderly Asian Americans in the U.S. have left many in the BPS and BTU communities in search of resources, supports, and learning opportunities to better understand the nature and historical context of anti-Asian racism. As evident from BPS data shared at school committee last week, families and school community concerns are especially heightened as students physically return to school buildings and feel an urgency to address and fight this form of hate within classrooms and hallways. 

However, the lack of understanding and resources (within schools and BPS) that address these events as well as the lived and historical experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), reveals the invisibility experienced by AAPIs in BPS on a daily basis. The need for these resources has always been there, yet it is this crisis moment that reveals just how few resources on AAPI experiences and history are available to our teachers, students and schools. AFT has newly curated resources, but remember that sharing a list of links is not enough. 

Please read our full statement here on how to confront this challenge while ensuring that AAPI, BIPOC and other educators themselves are not being asked to provide PD or services that they should not be asked to provide. Everyone has a role in undoing racism. It is real work that needs long-term commitment and real funding. Learning might be sparked by crisis, but cannot only happen in times of crisis. 

While we continue impact bargaining with BPS on the April 26th reopening phase and would like to have a signed agreement ASAP, we would like to remind everyone that while we verbally agreed on the early release for students tomorrow, we did NOT agree that everyone should be directed back in person tomorrow, particularly when the majority of classrooms have already been set up and professional development can be done remotely or simultaneously, just as educators are expected to provide every day. Luckily, most school leaders have been understanding, but just a couple of schools are still needlessly forcing educators back into buildings for the last all-remote day of teaching for K-8 educators. If this is your situation, please contact your Field Rep today if you haven’t already. 

In positive wins for the BTU, we have much to share this week:

– We have reached a settlement that welcomes Family Liasons into the the BTU under the paraprofessionals bargaining unit! The positions were turned into managerial positions, but BPS has agreed to recognize them as BTU members.  

– The Massachusetts state labor board recently issued a decision in favor of the BTU and our members. The ruling, which resulted from an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by the BTU in 2019, requires that the BPS adhere to two prior arbitration awards, and cease and desist from requiring that employees seeking to use sick time complete the US Department of Labor form WH-380 to take FMLA leave. The ruling also requires that BPS publicly post a notice that they will bargain in good faith going forward, cease and desist from making unilateral changes to their policy around use of sick leave, and return to the practice of requiring a Doctor’s note only (on letterhead, signed by a Doctor, with a date for return or reevaluation) for use of sick leave beyond 5 school days.  

– We are very grateful to Mayor Janey for her leadership in extending FFCRA until September 9, 2021, expecially after the Governor rejected legislation from the state that would have resolved the issue.  

– We are also happy to share that after years now of fits and starts, the citywide Steering Committee has been reconvened, and the first meeting was held last Thursday.

All of these new wins and developments will be discussed further at our next membership meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  As usual, please register in advance. Quick reminders for registering: 

Reminder: Do we have your correct mailing address on file? It is important to us that we are able to reach all of our members by phone, mail or email. Please check here to make sure we have your correct information.

Lastly, have you gotten your vaccine yet? If you haven’t gotten your Covid vaccine and are looking for an appointment still, please visit our vaccine resources webpage to find an appointment today.