Mass Teachers Association advocates for fair wages in public higher education

The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding fair wages in higher education. The meeting featured testimony from various stakeholders, including the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, who represents 115,000 educators, including 15,000 at public colleges and universities.

The president began by expressing gratitude to committee members for their ongoing support in improving access and affordability in higher education. He highlighted the progress made through initiatives like the fair share amendment, which has allocated funds for free tuition and fees at community colleges. However, he emphasized that while access has improved, there remains a pressing need to ensure fair wages for faculty and staff.

A wage study presented during the meeting revealed that Massachusetts ranks at the bottom in terms of pay for faculty across community colleges, state universities, and UMass, particularly affecting adjunct faculty who teach a significant majority of classes. The president pointed out that these adjuncts often lack job security, health insurance, and retirement benefits, which he described as a form of exploitation.

The discussion underscored the importance of competitive wages to attract and retain quality educators, which is essential for providing a positive educational experience for students, especially those from working-class backgrounds and communities of color. The president called for immediate action to address these wage disparities, framing it as a necessary response to ongoing challenges facing public education.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the urgent need for investment in higher education to maintain quality and accessibility. The president urged committee members to take decisive action, viewing this as a pivotal moment to defend and enhance public education in Massachusetts.