LARGEST K-12 LOCAL IN THE MTA

About EAW


The Educational Association of Worcester is the largest local of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. We have 3300 members in the following bargaining units: Teachers (Unit A), Administrators (Unit B), Paraeducators, Bus Drivers and Monitors, Parent Liaisons, Therapy Assistant and ESL Tutors. You can find pertinent local, state and federal educational information on this site. The EAW works tirelessly in the fight for educational excellence and opportunity and for the betterment of the professional lives of our members.

Mission Statement

To work for the welfare of school children, the advancement of education and, the improvement of instructional opportunities for all.


To advance the interest of the schools and to raise the standards of the professional and non-instructional personnel.


To form a representative body able to speak with authority for the membership.


To improve the conditions both of professional and non-instructional personnel relative to their employment and to bargain and enter into collective bargaining agreements for the benefit of the members.


To cultivate a spirit of understanding and good will among the membership and the community.

House of Delegates

2024-2025


Office Staff


Maureen Miller

Office Manager

maureen@eawunion.org

508-791-3296 Ext 100

  • Responsibilities

    • Grievances, arbitrations, Unfair Labor Practices
    • Building Delegates/Sign Ups/Communications
    • MTA/NEA Conferences
    • EAW Website Calendar
    • Delegate and EAW Board Meeting Dates
    • EAW Scholarship
    • ALL IN GRANTS

Teresa Moran

Membership and Communications Director

teresa@eawunion.org 

508-791-3296 Ext 102

  • Responsibilities

    • Membership Communications
    • Newsletters
    • EAW Website
    • New Member applications
    • Membership Dues
    • Retirees/Retirement Luncheon
    • Membership Committee/Special Events
    • Social Media Pages

2022-2025 Board of Directors

As of November 2023


Melissa Verdier

President

President@eawunion.org

Christine Mooshian

1st Vice President

FirstVP@eawunion.org

Phil Spellane

2nd Vice President

pspellane16@aol.com

Patrick McKeon

Treasurer

pmckeon23@charter.net

Luann Gallagher

Recording Secretary

Gallagherlr147@gmail.com

Jessica Falcone

Elementary School Chair

jessicafalcone77@gmail.com

Jocelyn Coughlin

Senior High Chair

jocelyncoughlin@gmail.com

Elizabeth Lupafya

Administrative Chair

cuba1978@gmail.com

Melinda Martin

ESP Chair

mmelindamae@verizon.net

Yahaira Rodriguez

Ethnic Minority Chair

yahairarf09@gmail.com

Dorothy Pinto

Middle School Chair

dotpinto64@gmail.com


Lauren Hayes

Vocational Chair

LHayes0513@gmail.com


Tina Mansfield

Transportation Chair

tinamansfieldesp@gmail.com

Mark Baranoff

Executive Secretary/MTA Field Rep

mbaranoff@massteacher.org

EAW Committees

  • Bylaws: Drafts & proposes amendments to EAW Bylaws, & assists with interpretation.
  • Ballots and Credentials: Oversees voting procedure for elections & contract ratifications.
  • Building Committee: Consult with the Board of Directors to make decisions regarding maintenance of the EAW headquarters including the hiring of contractors.
  • Community Relations: Builds & maintains relationships between the EAW & the public.
  • Contract Action Team(s): Coordinate actions to create leverage during contract negotiations.
  • Contract Negotiations (multiple): Strategize for & negotiate new contracts, & meet with CAT teams.
  • ESP: Planning & hosting events to support ESPs.
  • Ethnic Minority Affairs: Propose & affect ways the EAW can include & empower ethnic minority members. Composed of members of any bargaining unit who identify as an ethnic minority as defined by the NEA.They shall communicate the concerns of ethnic minority members to the Board of Directors & House of Delegates, and design an Annual Minority Involvement Plan to increase minority involvement in the EAW to be presented to the Board of Directors and House of Delegates. They may assist with the election process of the EAW Ethnic Minority Chair.
  • Finance: Creates the EAW’s annual budget/report.
  • Legislation & Contributions: Study & propose ways EAW can influence state/local decisions in relevant issues. Make decisions on EAW political/charitable contributions & memberships to or with any group other than the MTA or NEA, to be approved by the Board of Directors & the House of Delegates. The committee may collect information to present to the House of Delegates for the purpose of political endorsements and/or administrative appointments, but the authority to make endorsements lies solely in the House of Delegates. Endorsements may not be made by the committee or any member of the Board of Directors, including the President. The House of Delegates will vote on individual candidate/appointment endorsements -- slates may not be considered-- with a â…” vote of those present and voting required to make an endorsement. This must occur no later than the House of Delegates meeting prior to the relevant election/appointment. Members of the Board of Directors, including the President, may make their own personal endorsements, provided they explicitly state that their endorsement is not representing the EAW or its members.
  • Membership: Organize outreach events & trainings for new & current members.
  • Scholarship: Fundraise & administer EAW scholarships for members’ relatives.
  • Sick Bank: Review sick bank applications with WPS & determine eligibility.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are my yearly dues?

    Your 2023/2024 dues are split between the EAW, MTA, and the NEA. The money is divided this way:

     

    Teachers: $893.99

    NEA $ 208.00

    MTA $523.00

    EAW $162.99

     

    ESPs: $323.37

    NEA $124.50

    MTA $157.00

    EAW $52.91

     

    Our dues are used to support members in various ways, including Professional Development, the MTA Benefits program, legal fees, and organizing costs to win fights like Fund Our Future and canceling MCAS amid a pandemic.

  • Where can I find information about my retirement?

    The Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System website is a useful resource for answering retirement questions.

    https://mtrs.state.ma.us/

     

    We also have a former Worcester Public School teacher Ed Nelson who is very helpful with filling out the paperwork.  Contact the office at 508-791-3296 and the office staff can put you in touch with him.

  • How many funeral days am I allowed for the death of a grandparent?

    The death of wife, husband, father, mother, step-mother, step-father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,  brother, sister, child, step- child, grandchild, grandparent ,domestic partner or relative living in the same household, or someone who has acted in loco parentis occurs in the family of a teacher or administrator, such teacher or administrator, is entitled to a leave of absence of up to five consecutive days or Memorial Week for people of the Jewish faith, without loss of salary, such leave to take effect from the date of death.

  • When does the District have to notify Non-PTS (professional status) teachers about their PTS status?

    Statewide date is June 15th

  • What is a grievance?

    A grievance is a dispute involving a violation of your contract.  It has to be filed against Administration within 10 days of an incident.   Your school delegate or EAW representative will help you determine if any action needs to be filed.

  • When are my union dues taken out?

    EAW union dues are spread out over 10 pay periods starting with the October 22 pay period.  You can sign up to be part of the union anytime during the school year. You dues will always be adjusted over 10 pay periods.

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