Quincy, MA

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is the largest labor union in New England representing 117,000 members and 400 local affiliates across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The MTA is a member-led, activist union of diverse public education workers – teachers, faculty, professional staff, education support professionals – who are dedicated to building power for educators through organizing and collective action at public schools, colleges, and universities in Massachusetts.

The MTA's Legal Division provides full-service representation to members and locals on a wide scope of labor and employment matters covered by collective bargaining agreements or state/local public sector labor and employment statutes. This can range from unfair labor practice litigation, contract arbitration, disciplinary cases, retirement disputes, discrimination claims, workers compensation and unemployment benefits,  licensure actions, and even work-related criminal matters. The Legal Division also provides counsel and advice to MTA leadership and staff on field and organizing issues, legislation and policy, governance, communications, and on general union business and operations.

Reporting directly to the Office of the General Counsel, the fellow will have a unique opportunity to experience and participate in the internal and external workings of a statewide public educators’ union within the larger labor movement through a legal and advocacy framework. This includes working with seasoned labor attorneys on case assignments as well as conducting independent research and analysis on matters affecting educators and public employees. With this research, the fellow will assist in developing field campaigns and strategies, legal toolkits and training for members and staff, and the union’s legal library and database of decisions and legal opinions. The fellow will have ample exposure to union leaders and rank-and-file members by attending board and committee meetings and programs, labor events, legal workshops, and continuous training and learning opportunities, including MTA’s union-wide summer conference dedicated to education issues and union and professional skills.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree;
• Commitment to public education, workers’ rights, and the labor movement, including racial, social, and anti-oppression justice;
• Preference shown to candidates with experience, or demonstrated substantive knowledge and interest, in labor and employment law and education advocacy;
• Oral and written advocacy skills, including presentations and brief writing;
• Ability to complete complex analytical and research assignments;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, while also being a part of a strong and interdependent team;
• Initiative-taking and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently;
• Demonstrated respect for bargaining unit members, colleagues, and supervisors;
• Flexibility to attend meetings and events during non-working hours;
• Ability to work from home and travel to the MTA headquarters and satellite offices as needed and required.

Salary will be a minimum of $7000.00 total for 10 weeks of full-time work. Payment will be made consistent with the rules of the Peggy Browning Fund and applicable laws. Start and end dates are negotiable but would typically run from June through August.

Please provide a resume, cover letter & writing sample to:
Rebecca Yee | General Counsel
Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) | Division of Legal Services
2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor | Quincy, MA 02171