Good morning. Last week over a hundred parents and educators came together for our Parent 2 Parent conference.
Solidarity with #WeChooseWeek at this weekend’s Parent2Parent Conference! Parents and educators came together to learn from each other, share skills around how to advocate for our public schools, and to say #WeChoose education equity, not the illusion of “school choice!”
We also had a successful launch of our pilot Tech Goes Home program for paraprofessionals to receive laptops! See a slideshow from the day.
The BTU is providing a new pilot program for paraprofessionals to receive laptops through Tech Goes Home. The first training started last week, and we’re thrilled that so many paras are taking part in this new initiative!
There are several other important updates to share this week as we head into February:
- Contract Updates: The Collective Bargaining Committee and Executive Board have reviewed the new package for our upcoming contract negotiations. Our new contract campaign, Creating the Schools Our Students Deserve, will be presented at our next membership meeting on February 14. For those who missed the notice, the retro pay from the previously negotiated contract will occur February 9.
- Health Insurance: Last week, with no input from working families affected by the decision, the Baker-controlled GIC voted to take away health insurance carriers available to thousands of active and retired public-sector employees and push them toward an Indiana-based company. While the BTU is not in the GIC and would not be affected by these changes, as a union we will continue our important work of advocacy for quality health care for all. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the MTA and AFT-MA as well as all public sector workers affected. Please join us at the BTU tonight at 5 PM as we host a state-wide rally. See the flyer for more.
- New Mass Commissioner of Education: Last Friday, public interviews for the new Mass Commissioner of Education took place. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to recommend Jeffrey Riley as the new Commissioner. See coverage from the Boston Globe.
- Black History Month: As we enter Black History Month, please see the BTU compilation of resources, including resources from the Black Lives Matter In Schools Week of Action, on our website at btu.org/blackhistory. We are proud to join over a dozen teachers unions and educators across the country in a national week of action to take a stand against racism and bigotry. Find more details below.
Lastly, as we continue to advocate and fight for quality health care, for working conditions, for our students and for education equity, the importance of our union has never been more clear. We are stronger together, and your voice matters. If you haven’t filled out a new BTU-All In card, please visit the member portal to do so today or see your rep! Thank you and congratulations to the dozens of schools that are already at 100% completion.
Have a great week!