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Massachusetts Library Staff Association Officers
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Patricia K. Kelly, President
patkkelly@gmail.com
Michael Conboy, Vice-President
mjconboy@gmail.com
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Matt Amory, Treasurer
matt.amory@gmail.com
Lori Salotto, Secretary
lori@salotto.net
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Upcoming meetings and events
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In honor of National Librarian Day on April 16, 2021, here are a few of the faces of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association! Thank you to members from Abington, Boston, Braintree, Lynnfield, Middleboro, Milford, Stoughton, and Woburn for submitting some great pictures! Thank you to all members of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association for everything you do for your communities and each other!
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AFT Massachusetts 2021 Annual Virtual Convention - Saturday, May 1, 2021
MLSA Eboard Meeting: May 2021 - to be scheduled
There's still time to sign up for the last two sessions of the MLSA Winter-Spring 2021 Member Trainings!
New to the union, union leadership, executive board? Want to feel more confident and informed in your role as a union member and leader? Want to figure out how you can be more involved in your union?
Contract Bargaining: May 4th from 6:30pm-8pm New to bargaining? Want to have a better understanding of how it works? Come get an overview of contract bargaining, some of your rights, and some good strategies.
Solving Workplace Problems: May 18th from 6:30pm-8pm Want to figure out ways to get resolutions of issues in your workplace? Want ideas on how to make the union stronger? Join us for this session!
Sign up today! Go to https://forms.gle/A5koM7LpLeS2qjXKA to sign up for this training.
Student Debt Clinic for MLSA & AFT Members!
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Register here:
https://aft.knack.com/member-mobilization-tracker/#register-for-debt-clinic/
and select “MASSACHUSETTS: AFT Massachusetts *WEBINAR* 4:30 pm 05/12/2021" to register for the workshop.
As a union, we are fighting to make college affordable and student debt manageable. However, 44 million people in the United States are saddled with student loan debt.
Do you or a family member have student loan debt?
Are you struggling to make monthly payments or worrying about student loans following you throughout your life?
Are you tired of getting phone calls from loan servicers, or concerned about how to tell scams from genuine help when it comes to debt forgiveness?
Members are welcome to attend a Student Debt Clinic! Click:
AFT Student Debt Clinics provide:
Information on how to enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs;
Help in enrolling in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program;
Opportunities to interact with members who haven’t been engaged with their union;
A curriculum that demonstrates the power of our union in improving the lives of AFT members and the people in our communities;
A resource to help persuade union members to become activists and leaders.
Additionally, AFT members have access to www.forgivemystudentdebt.org, a resource for those who need to learn the landscape of free and underused federal programs that help many student loan borrowers lower their monthly payments and, in some cases, even have their debt forgiven.
Member Benefits Workshop for AFT members
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 4 pm; Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 6 pm; Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10 am.
As AFT Massachusetts members, we know that we have more power when we join together through our union. That collective power is how we win better salaries, benefits, and working conditions, but it's also reflected in the collective purchasing power of AFT's 1,700,000 members and AFT Massachusetts' 23,000 members.
AFT Massachusetts will host a series of virtual benefits workshops to showcase the products and services available to AFT members through our member benefits program.
During the one-hour workshop, presenters will explain benefits you are eligible for, with topics including AFT Plus Benefits, Auto and Home Insurance; Supplemental Insurance; Home Financing; Long Term Care; and Retirement Planning.
Whether you’re looking to purchase insurance, buy or refinance a home, plan for retirement, or just see what benefits are available to you as an AFT member, you can find experienced and dedicated professionals who will work with you every step of the way to fulfill your goals.
Register here.
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Massachusetts Library Staff Association George L. Hallissey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
There is still time to apply for the MLSA Hallissey Scholarship! High School seniors who are dependents of MLSA members are urged to apply. We have $7000 in scholarship money this year and we want it to go to deserving students! It doesn't matter where you live: if you are a MLSA member, your child is eligible.
Please click here for all details and application form. NOTE: The MLSA Hallissey scholarship amount has increased from $5000 to $7000 - for 2021 only. Application deadline is May 1, 2021
Interested in attending MLA this year but need some help with the registration fee? Contact Matt Amory - MLSA treasurer at matt.amory@gmail.com
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Members of the Woburn Library Staff Association
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It is my great pleasure to announce that Steward Tracy Breeden, Woburn Library Staff Association, Local 4928, Massachusetts Library Staff Association, has been selected to receive an AFT-MA Distinguished Service Award for 2021!
Tracy started at the Woburn Public Library in November 2009 as part-time children’s assistant and transitioned to a full-time position as technical services & circulation assistant in 2013. Tracy was elected chapter chair in 2018 (“it will be easy,” said the former chair…) and became the union steward in 2019. Since that time, Tracy has supported and rallied her members in an extremely challenging and divisive atmosphere. Under her leadership, during the summer of 2020, the Woburn Library Staff Association and community allies successfully overcame a layoff threat from the City of Woburn in the midst of the Covid crisis. The adversity and struggles she and her members faced were ongoing and exhausting. Through the twin challenges of Covid and an antagonistic library administration, Tracy fought tirelessly and compassionately for fair and equal treatment of staff, and a work environment that was safe (physically and mentally) for all patrons and staff.
When I reached out to WLSA members for ‘testimonials’ about Tracy and her leadership as steward, I was overwhelmed by the response. Some of the words and phrases that kept reappearing throughout the many glowing descriptors are: tireless, fearless, going above and beyond the call of duty, compassion, dedication, courage, strength, professionalism, kindness, the glue that holds us together. I could go on and on with the glowing recommendations from her fellow union members. Her concern is always for her members and the community they serve. And despite her exhausting schedule, Tracy has found the time to attend various union trainings to enhance her already considerable leadership qualities. In her tireless work to organize, rally, and support her members in their fight for a fair, equitable, and respectful workplace, Tracy Breeden exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and selfless unionist. In the words of her fellow union members: “Tracy’s catchphrase is Stronger Together.” We at the Massachusetts Library Staff Association are all stronger because of the efforts of Woburn Library Staff Association Steward Tracy Breeden.
So, again, congratulations Tracy! I look forward to seeing you accept your award at the virtual AFT-MA Convention on May 1, 2021.
Pat Kelly
President, MLSA
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The passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will have a profound impact upon state and local revenues. Massachusetts alone will receive 8.1 billion in state and local aid. As MLSA locals are negotiating contracts and engaging in collective bargaining, we must be mindful of the amount of aid our communities are receiving: we need to have a place at the table when these funds are disbursed. The Mass Municipal Association (MMA) has put together a chart on the amount of funds each municipality in Massachusetts will be receiving. Click here to get more information from the MMA on ARPA. The American Federation of Teachers has pulled together some great information on ARPA including a power point overview and how the American Rescue Plan can be implemented. All of these resources and more will be available in the MLSA g-drive for your review and use. Please contact me if you need access to the g-drive link.
Pat Kelly
President, MLSA
patkkelly@gmail.com
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Take advantage of ALL the benefits available with your union membership. A reminder: these benefits are only available to dues paying members of the MLSA. And remember that our local number is 04928: you may need this information to access some of these benefits.
New AFT Benefit: Trauma Counseling
AFT members work hard—now more than ever—to educate, heal, help and serve our communities. Sometimes our own stress is compounded by a personal or workplace trauma; still, we struggle to be fully present for others. Now the AFT is offering a new, free benefit—trauma counseling—to provide help and healing for our members, whenever needed, wherever a member may be.
Simplify Student Debt with 'Summer'
Meet Summer—an online resource, started by student loan borrowers who wanted to help others avoid bad information and bad actors in the student loan market. Summer harnesses the expertise of public policy experts to optimize borrower options, and it uses technology to make the process easy and secure. The AFT trusts Summer to help our members navigate the student loan repayment landscape.
American Federation of Teachers
Click on the link above to see all the AFT benefits available to MLSA members! Some of the newest benefits are a steep discount on Dansko Shoes and Office Max/Office Deport. Click here for a list of member benefits and a guide to signing up.
AFT-Massachusetts
Log in or create an account using using the membership number found on your AFT membership card. Can't find your membership card? See your Chapter Chair.
Despite the name, Teachers Retirement Solutions provide retirement services for librarians, too. They are a preferred provider for the AFT-MA. So because of your membership in AFT-MA/MLSA you can contact them for a complimentary meeting to go over your retirement needs. They specialize in working with public sector teachers and librarians (and know the ins and outs of pension systems).
When you contact them, make sure you mention you are members of the AFT-MA/Massachusetts Library Staff Association local 4928. Click here for more information.
AFT Massachusetts 2021 Scholarship Program
Every year AFT Massachusetts awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT Massachusetts members. Click here for all the details, requirements, and deadlines.
Massachusetts Library Staff Association George L. Hallissey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The MLSA offers annual scholarships to dependents of our members based upon scholastic achievement, need, character, and abilities. Please click here for all details and application form. NOTE: The MLSA Hallissey scholarship amount has increased from $5000 to $7000 - for 2021 only. Application deadline is May 1, 2021
Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Program
The AFL-CIO annual scholarship program has been in existence for over 60 years. Through this scholarship program, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is honored to continue the tradition of helping students as they pursue their education and work towards creating bright futures for themselves and their families. For details, please click here.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
The MLSA currently provides Accidental Death & Dismemberment (A D & D) insurance for our members in the amounts of up to $31,250 (double if the AD &D occurs at work) for members or their beneficiaries. The AFT national has added an additional $5,000 (double if the AD & D occurs at work) to the amount the MLSA provides for each member at no additional cost to us for a potential benefit of $36,250. Click here for more details. Please see the benefits summary here.
Make sure you fill out a beneficiary card available here. We ask that you provide a copy of the beneficiary card to your Chapter Chair for efficient processing of any claims.
Occupational Liability Insurance
The MLSA provides Occupational Liability Insurance (OLI) through the AFT for claims or charges arising out of the employment activities of members of the MLSA. The Occupational Liability Insurance (OLI) Plan will provide our members with broad protection for legal defense costs and court judgments. Please click here for more information on this benefit.
Union Plus Benefits
MLSA members are eligible for a variety of benefits through the AFL-CIO Union Plus program. Check out all the benefits here.
Union Plus Legal Program
You can get reliable advice at an affordable price if you need legal help or simply have a question of a legal nature with the new Union Plus Legal Program. The free basic program provides a free initial consultation up to 30 minutes, 25% off attorney's hourly or flat rate fees, and access to over 6,000 in-network attorneys. Click here for more details.
Union Plus Pet Health Insurance
Check out this health insurance benefit for the furry members of your union household by clicking here!
2021 Union Plus Scholarship Program
Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million to students of union families. Please click here to access more information and learn how to apply for this union benefit. Applications are due January 31, 2021.
To look up your member ID number and register for member only benefits click here.
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Sign up for the MLSA newsletter here!
Massachusetts Library Staff Association website
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The Massachusetts Library Staff Association - which is Local 04928 of the American Federation of Teachers- Massachusetts - represents 33 libraries across Massachusetts. There are also two libraries - Chelmsford Public Library & Peabody Institute Library - that are represented directly by the AFT-MA.
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Union and Library News:
Sign up for the AFL-CIO's daily labor newsletter - The Labor Wire - here.
Are you interested in the AFT political endorsement process? Whether we like 'politics' or not, the decisions made by politicians affect our funding, our profession, our lives. Please click here to explore, understand, and take part in the process by which the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - our parent union - endorses political candidates.
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Do you have a new member in your unit? Email Pat Kelly at patkkelly@gmail.com and I'll send you a member welcome packet for your newest unionist!
Do you need new MLSA branded Weingarten Rights bookmarks for your members? Email Pat Kelly at patkkelly@gmail.com and I'll get them out to you.
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Need samples of contract language? Curious to see how other MLSA libraries have addressed contractual issues? Check out the MLSA contract page!
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Follow AFT Massachusetts for news and updates on union issues:
On the web: http://aftma.net/
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFTMass
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aftma/
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