Boston Teachers Union
eBulletin #12
November 13, 2019
We hope everyone had a peaceful and reflective Veterans Day weekend. We thank all who have served and are currently serving, including those in our membership and in our extended family. As educators, we may be looking for new ways to teach our students about the meaning and history behind holidays and traditions. Find teaching resources about Veterans Day, which is also widely known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.
On Election Day last week, BTU members showed a strong presence at the polls. We were excited to hear from members on Twitter about the reasons they voted — as one member stated, “I vote because I believe together we can truly give people the education we all deserve.” We were proud to announce that all of BTU’s endorsed candidates won their races. Thank you for showing up at the polls, sending your selfies wearing #BTUvotes stickers and flexing our union’s political power!
When it comes to #BTUvotes and #AFTvotes, we are just getting started! Come join us at a Presidential Debate watch party, 8:00pm at the BTU for the next debate on November 20. We will also be discussing the possibility of an endorsement in the race. Please contact Political Director Johnny McInnis to get more involved.
This week, we are waiting for news from the State House Conference Committee on the Student Opportunity Act. We will have updates on the bill and on next steps as they become available, but in the meantime, please save the date of December 14 for a statewide MEJA convening for a Fund our Future activist “bootcamp” to ensure the additional funds get to our students and schools.
Today at 4:30pm is our monthly membership meeting. We will be going over updates on contract implementation, health benefits, and honor our longest serving members. We will also be going over Flexible Spending Accounts — make sure you sign up here by November 26. See the tentative agenda for our membership meeting and remember to sign up for childcare.
Next week, make sure to join us for the next Inclusion Done Right meeting to plan the next steps in our campaign to advocate for more full staffing and the services all of our inclusion students deserve. The meeting will be held on November 19 from 4:30-6:30 pm.
The holidays are right around the corner — please save the dates for the BTU Holiday Party on Friday, December 6 and the Children’s Holiday Party on Sunday, December 15. The BTU Children’s Holiday Party – for children and guests of BTU members – will feature a DJ, face painting, and other fun activities.
Lastly, we are told by BPS that the retro pay for active members is likely to be reflected in the November 22 paycheck. If not, definitely by December, just in time for the holidays. Be sure to check out the list of new member benefits for BTU/AFT members including discounted hotels and airfare on Southwest for upcoming holiday travel in the benefits section below.
Have a great week!