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Amazon and Starbucks organizers are kicking off Summer Conference

The MTA Summer Conference is back! For the first time in three years, we are going live. Join us from Sunday, July 31, to Wednesday, August 3 at UMass Amherst.
Christian
With limited dollars and up against intense union-busting, Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer successfully led the first organizing drive at an Amazon facility in Staten Island, New York City.
Published: June 2022

We'll kick off this year's conference with labor organizers who are making headlines all over the world. Our opening session on Sunday, July 31, will feature Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer, president and vice president of the Amazon Labor Union, and Kylah Clay and Tyler Daguerre, organizers with Starbucks Workers United–Boston.

This will be an opportunity for MTA members to learn from, engage with and experience the energy of these next-generation unionists who are at the forefront of the fight for equitable working conditions.

Working together with these fantastic organizers, MTA members at Summer Conference will prepare for the fights ahead, including winning the Fair Share Amendment to get much-needed money for public education and transportation; electing a new governor; winning fair contracts for our members; and ensuring racial, social and economic justice for our members, students, families and communities.

In addition, participants can look forward to a slate of powerful plenary sessions, workshops focused on developing their union and leadership skills, and fun social events that will bring the community together.

Summer Conference is free to attend! Participants can choose from the following programs:

  • Bargaining Certification 
  • Higher Ed Summer Series: Special Topics for Higher Ed Members
  • New Presidents Leadership Academy
  • Union Skills Academy

For more information about each of these programs, visit massteacher.org/summer. Space is limited in each program.

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The MTA represents 117,000 members in 400 local associations throughout Massachusetts. We are teachers, faculty, professional staff and Education Support Professionals working at public schools, colleges and universities across Massachusetts.