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, 9-5, 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.

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