While preparing for next year's contract negotiations, I reviewed my notes from the two "debrief" sessions the NTA Executive Committee and Representative Assembly held in December of 2019, right after we completed our last contract campaign. When we finished that campaign, and won really good contracts, we were elated. And then came the pandemic. Since then, elation has been in short supply. I know that the last thing anyone looks forward to, or even wants to think about now, is a hard and difficult contract campaign. But what rereading those notes reminded me of is how good winning feels, not only better salaries, benefits and working conditions, but also--respect. When you anticipate (or dread) that next fall, once again, we will be campaigning for new contracts, I hope you will also remember what it felt like when we crossed the finish line. We will get there once again--and the target date for winning this time is not one, or two, or three years after our current contract ends, but this time next year! I wish you all a good last week with your students. And, of course, a great summer to recharge and enjoy. Take care. Mike
In this issue:
General Membership Meeting
Please mark your calendars for the NTA General Membership Meeting: Wednesday, June 22, 5:00-6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Registration information below. Tentative agenda: Friends of Education Awards presentation; Committee Reports, President’s Report. To attend the General Membership Meeting, you must follow the below protocols. These are vital to assuring our meeting is attended only by NTA members.
Registration must be completed no later than noon on Wednesday, June 22. We will be unable to process registration after that time.
You must sign onto the meeting from the link that will be sent to you following approval of your registration.
Click here to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please feel free to reach out to Chris Walsh at Treasurer@newteach.org with any questions.
Early Retirement Incentive
This MTA continues its advocacy for an early retirement incentive for Massachusetts educators, bill 1791 (now 2783). This bill must be decided by July 31, 2022, so now is the time to make your voice heard. Click here to see a fact sheet explaining the bill. Click here to send an email to your representative.
MTA Summer Conference
This year's MTA Summer Conference will be held from July 31 to August 3 at UMass Amherst. Find out more about the conference by clicking here. And a reminder, if you keep your receipts for the costs of attending, and provide proof of attendance, the NTA will reimburse your costs, including the costs of transportation to and from Amherst, the costs of housing, and conference fees.
MTA New Member Summer Program
Are you a new educator interested in learning more about the union, but don't know where to begin? The New Member Program at MTA Summer Conference is for you! This program will run from July 31st to August 3rd at UMASS Amherst and is one track of the MTA Summer Conference. Through this program you will learn everything from union basics, reading and understanding your contract, as well as how to bargain a contract. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with other MTA members from across the state. This program is free to members in their the first five years. Please reach out to Ariana Foster (ntanewmember@gmail.com) with any questions. Registration is now open. In solidarity, Mike