NTA eBulletin: September 13, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
I am sure that you are being inundated with things to read and do during these opening weeks. I apologize for contributing to the deluge.
More below, but here, a quick cut to the chase on eight time-sensitive actions you can take right now to support your union!
Answer the question of the week right below. Everyone, please!
Complete the bargaining survey. Everyone, please!
Sign up to be a silent observer this week.
Read the Fig City News interview of Ryan and me.
Contact Elections Chair Ashley Raven at elections@newteach.org to join the Elections Committee and help shape this year's election rules.
If you have used GLP-1 medications for weight loss under the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and lost coverage, fill out this survey on how you are coping.
Sign up to help the NTA host a book block party!
Share ideas for legislative bills with the Massachusetts Teachers Association Government Relations Committee
Last Week's Question of the Week
I am not publishing the results of last week's Question of the Week: "Do you agree with the following statement: I believe that if we come together and do all we can to support our negotiations team, we can win a fair contract before the current contract expires"?
I generally do not publish the results of a survey or Question of the Week that reveals information about members' bargaining perspectives. This protects our bargaining team's ability to be, as Massachusetts General Law stipulates, the exclusive representative of NTA members at the bargaining table.
This Week's Question of the Week (new)
This week's question: The Newton School Committee has proposed that we livestream negotiations. Do you think think that the NTA and NPS Negotiations Teams should livestream their negotiations joint sessions?
Please Complete the Bargaining Survey!
Sign up to be a Silent Observer! (updated)
If you have not already....
Please complete this bargaining survey. Many of you have already completed the survey, but we want to be sure we negotiate a contract that represents ALL NTA members' priorities.
Join the the NTA Negotiations Team as a silent observer on September 15 at 4:30 in the NTA Office--Sign up here.
The primary topic this week will be the Newton School Committee proposal that we livestream negotiations sessions. Listen and share your perspective.
Fig City News Interview (new)
Fig City News education reporter Adam Bernstein interviewed Ryan Normandin and me as part of long-form series of interviews he conducted with several Newton community leaders.
Ryan and I believe that Adam asked thoughtful questions, reported our responses accurately, and--from what ended up being a very long transcript--curated those questions and answers that most authentically represent our views. Thank you Adam!
You can read the interview here.
Ryan and I hope that when you read the interview, you will find that it is also true to your view of the NTAs mission, history, and goals.
Negotiations Update
Your NTA bargaining team will be meeting next onSeptember 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 in the NTA office,29 Crafts Street, Suite 470, Newton, MA.
Our primary topic will be ground rules. We have exchanged proposals with the school committee, and the NTA Negotiations Team must consider our response to the committee's counter-proposal.
NTA Elections Update
The Election Committee has put a pause on campaigning for NTA elected positions until it can put election and campaign rules in place.
Interested in helping shape this year’s election rules? Contact Elections Chair Ashley Raven at elections@newteach.org to join the Elections Committee.
Update on GLP-1 Negotiations
Ryan Normandin and Mike Zilles
Member Survey
During the summer, we shared a Google Form so you could let us know what you were doing in the wake of the loss of insurance coverage.
But we neglected to ask your permission to share your stories, and when we read them, we knew they had to be shared! This time, we specifically ask each of you permission to share your feedback anonymously. We will share feedback only from members who give us permission.
So please fill out the Google form again (or, if you didn't fill it out the first time, fill it out now!).
THIRD REMINDER!
First Annual Book Block Party!
Hosted by the NTA
Save the Date: Sunday, September 27th 2-5pm
Thanks to all who brought books to Convocation on September 1 and after. Your donations are much appreciated!
Building Representatives are continuing to collect books. Donate in your buildings!
We still need more volunteers!
Use the Volunteer Form to sign up to help set up or run the NTA Book Block Party!
· Planning Committee
· Set-Up Help – Saturday 9/26 or Sunday 9/27
· Run a Station – Sunday 9/27
· Scoop Ice Cream – Sunday 9/27
· Circulate and Host – Sunday 9/27
· Clean Up – Sunday 9/27
· Anything else that you'd like to contribute!
We hope you'll join us in contributing however you can to a fun, family-friendly event.
MTA Legislative Agenda (From MTA)
HELP SHAPE THE MTA’S 2027-2028 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
The MTA is seeking input from members as we develop our 2027-2028 legislative agenda. We want to ensure that our legislative package reflects members’ visions for public education and the workplace. For reference, our current legislative priorities can be found here. The proposals will be reviewed by the MTA's Government Relations Committee. The GRC then makes recommendations to the MTA Board of Directors, which will approve the association’s legislative agenda.
Members who want to propose legislation should submit their proposals by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
After submissions are reviewed, members may be asked to discuss their proposals in greater detail with the GRC. Please indicate whether you would be willing to discuss your proposal virtually at a meeting of the committee. Feel free to include supporting materials for your proposed legislation.
Please note that the GRC is charged with developing legislation that will benefit a significant number of members. Therefore, the committee will not consider proposals benefiting individuals or small groups of individuals (e.g., bills concerning creditable service).
We look forward to receiving members’ proposed legislation as we continue to build the MTA’s power at the local and statewide levels.
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In solidarity,
Mike Zilles, President
Newton Teachers Association
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