A Living Wage for North Reading Paraprofessionals

11/22/2023

Last night, the North Reading Federation of Paraprofessionals reached an agreement with the School Committee on a new contract for the district's paras.

The historic contract will increase the minimum wage for NR paraprofessionals by nearly 30% and secures the largest wage increases in the history of our union for all members.

We cannot say thank you enough to the North Reading community which supported us throughout this fight. Thousands of you signed petitions, wrote letters, marched with us, and offered words of encouragement. We could not have done this without that support.

AFT Massachusetts

11/21/2023

11/20/2023

Last week was incredible - to see so many supporters come out to stand behind the fight for a living wage. We've made progress, but the fight continues this week. Join us on Tuesday, November 21 (NR High School) at 3:45pm to support the campaign.

Special thanks to AFT Massachusetts, Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT 1037 Lynn Teachers Union, Salem Teachers Union 1258, The North Shore Labor Council of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Nurses Association, and especially students Brian & Braden!

10/04/2023

Yesterday, North Readings paras were back at the bargaining table, but this time with an expanded bargaining team. More than half of our Union showed up to demand a living wage.

The fight will continue.

AFT Massachusetts

09/27/2023

About 900 people voted in the last North Reading School Committee election. Last night, North Reading’s paraprofessionals and supporters delivered 1,400 signatures to the School Committee demanding a living wage for support staff.

Our community stands behind a living wage and a fair contract, and we’ll keep fighting until we get there ✊✊✊

AFT Massachusetts

09/20/2023

Unfortunately, the School Committee’s bargaining team canceled negotiations today because they needed time to find a vacant room to accommodate our expanded bargaining team.

We took a walk around the building today and found a few spaces that were empty and could work. Hope it helps!

Negotiations resume on October 3rd.

09/18/2023

Football & a fight for a fair contract!

North Reading Paras showed up at the NRHS football game to advocate for a living wage and got a ton of love from the community.

AFT Massachusetts

09/18/2023

The Little ✅
The Hood ✅
The Batch ✅

As part of the week of action, paras visited the Back to School Nights at each elementary school to have conversations with hundreds of North Reading Families about the 3 things that paras need right now: respect, a living wage, and a fair contract.

AFT Massachusetts

09/15/2023

Paraprofessionals in North Reading are paid as low as $25,000/year. It's simply not enough to live and the time to make a change is now.

Sign the petition to join those calling on the North Reading School Committee to offer these vital workers a real living wage.

bit.ly/NRLivingWage

09/15/2023

Earlier this week, North Reading's paraprofessionals + teachers, parents, and community supporters gathered at the town common to tell the members of the School Committee that this district could not function without paras.