Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Boston Teachers Union

Exclusive collective bargaining agent for

• Teachers, nurses, psychologists, DI, to mention a few-5500 or so
  
• Paraprofessionals, all categories-1000 or so
  
• Substitute teachers-500-or so
  
• Just about everyone else, non-administrative, who work in our schools
  

We are affiliated with

• American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
  
• Mass. Federation of Teachers (MFT)
  
• AFL-CIO, Mass AFL-CIO
  
• Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC)
  

What are the BTU's primary responsibilities?

• Negotiate and enforce the contract
  
• Represent the membership in all matters related to work
  
• Answer job-related questions and assist in any job-related matter
  
• Promote public education
  
• Promote the growth of our profession
  
• Work politically through COPE to elect pro-public education, pro-union candidates
  
• COPE or the Committee on Political Education is by law a separate entity within the BTU devoted to supporting candidates who support public education and who otherwise favor our positions on a variety of work-related issues. You can sign up for COPE through payroll deductions using a form supplied by your BTU Rep. You can also make a contribution by check or cash. The suggested contribution is $1 per payroll check.
  
  
• Work with the community to insure our schools are as good as they can be
  

How to get in contact with the BTU?

• Visit Office at 180 Mt. Vernon St. , Dorchester
  
  
• Business Hours, 8-5, all workdays, except legal holidays
  
  
• Call 617-288-2000
  
  
• for individual email addresses of staff and officers
  
  
• Click here: BTU enews to subscribe to sign up for our list-serve
  
  

What else does the BTU do?

We sponsor a range of social and charitable events

• BTU night at the Red Sox
  
• BTU members' holiday party for children and grandchildren
  
  
• BTU golf tournament to benefit domestic violence hotline
  
  
• Sponsored homework help/parent outreach at the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club in 2003/2004.
  
  
• Scholarships to BPS students & dependents of BTU members
  
  
• Last year we gave $66,000
  
  
• Fund Raiser for Pine St. Inn and Rosie's Place in March
  
• Variety of social get-togethers, at the beginning, mid, and end of year

We also hold a reception for new staff

Reception for new teachers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers in the Fall. (You will receive an invitation)

And have occasionally hosted educational forums

•  Anti-standardized test crusader Alfie Kohn spoke last year, as did author Richard Rothstein, ' Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic, and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap'

•  Noted Author, Jim Crawford , Educating English Learners:
Language Diversity in the Classroom, spoke at the BTU in 2003. 

How does the Union communicate with you?

First, get a membership application card from your BTU Building Rep. Fill it out, and return it. Then you'll become a member, get on our mailing list and you'll receive:

• A BTU Membership card
• Membership letters
• Monthly union newspaper
• MFT Newspaper
• AFT magazine

You'll also receive weekly emails-sign up by logging onto BTU enews to subscribe

• Join more than 3200 others in getting weekly information on a variety of topics
  
• In addition, provisional teachers receive periodic mailings:
  
• Fall-welcome letter about rights and benefits
  
• Winter-Understanding the teacher assignment process for the upcoming year
  
• June-More assignment information, what to expect over the summer

What is the leadership structure of the BTU?

All policy is set by the membership at its regularly scheduled monthly membership meetings on the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 at union headquarters. All members are welcome to attend.

The BTU's policy board is its Executive Board , served by 12 members elected at large every two years. Executive Board members are listed below.

Serving as a direct link between the union office and the membership are elected BTU Building Representatives from every building and program in the city. BTU Building Rep.'s are elected each year to service the members at each school site and act as the liaisons between the union office and our membership in our schools.

How do you join?

Although your benefits and rights begin generally* when you do, you are not officially a union member until you sign a membership application card. Signing the card and giving it to your building rep. insures membership, the right to vote in union elections, and membership with our affiliates.

*(Health insurance coverage is delayed by city contract; if you sign up for coverage in August, it won’t begin normally until October 1, and so on. On the other hand, Health and Welfare coverage (dental, eye care) begin on your first day of employment, subject to the city’s confirmation of same.)

How can I get involved in the union?

Perhaps you can start by attending a membership meeting (below). We also have various committees. Many members write articles for the union newspaper. Still others try to become building representatives. We are interested in involving new activists. Please feel free to stop by or call one of us and we can discuss your interests.

When does the BTU meet and where is the office?

The regular BTU membership meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 PM. Meetings generally last for 1to 2 hours and are held at our headquarters at Bayside Mall. The BTU office (617-288-2000) is open from 8-5 every day except for legal holidays. Click here for directions.

The union office is in Dorchester, near the Boston Globe, and near the U Mass Red Line T Stop.

I have a question about the contract, my rights, or the like. Whom do I call?

Before you call, ask your local building representative. He or she represents the union in your school and has generally had experience in many of the matters that affect each of us.

If you still need help, there are eight of us you can call. Initial questions on contract implementation, payroll problems, possible grievances, and the like should be directed to:

Michael McLaughlin, Elementary Field Rep.,
mmclaughlin@btu.org
if you're an elementary teacher/nurse/etc.;

Caren Carew, Secondary Field Rep.
ccarew@btu.org
if you are a secondary school teacher, etc.;

Jenna Fitzgerald, Paraprofessional/Substitute Teacher Field Rep.
jfitzger@btu.org
if you are a paraprofessional or substitute teacher;

If you have questions about the union’s political activities, please direct them to:
Patricia Armstrong, Political Director parmstro@btu.org

If you have a question about the union’s operations, dues, and the like, please call Charles Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, at 617-288-2000.

Questions about our Committee on Political Education (COPE), outstanding grievances, contract questions or interpretation should be directed to:
Patrick Connolly, Vice-President
pconnollyl@btu.org

If you have any other questions, please call:
Richard Stutman, President
rstutman@btu.org

Although each of us has individual responsibilities, we all routinely pinch hit for each other and are reasonably familiar with all aspects of the union’s work. In other words, if you need an immediate answer—we ought to be to help you right away even if the appropriate person is not in the office at that time. In any case, leave a message or email one of us and you will get a quick return call.

With what kinds of questions do people call?

The range of questions is enormous. A couple of typical questions might be. Am I on the right salary step? What do I do if I have an overcrowded class? Which health insurance is best? How and when can I find a new school? Which political candidates does the union support?

Some questions are difficult to answer or require research. Others require referral to another person. No question is silly. Ask away.

Can I visit the office?

Yes. But if you are looking to speak with a particular BTU staff person, you should call in advance to schedule an appointment. You can also call (or email) the office.

What are my major benefits?

Too numerous to mention. . . see the Benefits page for a more detailed description. Essentially, if you work at least 1/2 time, you get a variety of negotiated benefits: the city’s health insurance plan, the BTU's Health and Welfare Plan which includes eye care, dental care, legal care, and a sick and personal leave plan. Visit the Health and Welfare Fund's website for more information or visit (their offices are next door to the BTU) or call the Fund office at 617-288-0500

Tell me more about the health insurance?

Health insurance is provided to the membership through the city of Boston's Group Insurance Office at (617) 635-4570. Call that number for more information or visit at Boston City Hall, Room 807.

You can only change plans during the next Open Enrollment period, which occurs in the Spring for health insurance that will take effect on July 1, 2004.

New Employees can sign up for health insurance within 60 days of employment by calling (617) 635-4570. The 60 days is FIRM.

What other negotiated benefits are there?

To mention a few, we have negotiated a sick leave bank, a dependent care/flexible spending plan and a job-sharing plan. Details will shortly appear on out web page. In the meantime, please email caren Carew or Michael McLaughlin for a written description.

How do I find out more about things like retirement?

Michael McLaughlin will holds a seminar twice a year, in October and March. Please check the BTU-ebulletin for dates on the next upcoming seminar. He has a packet of information, too, for the asking. Call the union office for a copy.

What about tax-sheltered saving plans?

Basically, the city offers two types of plans—a 403.B plan you can set up with a variety of vendors, 40+ in all and a 457 plan run by Aetna, now ING. Both work similarly, though each has unique characteristics. Details will shortly, as above appear in our web page as we get up and running.

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