The United Teachers of Lowell proudly represents approximately 1,700 Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Custodians/Security and Food Service Members in Lowell, Massachusetts. Our work includes negotiating and enforcing contracts, representing members in all matters related to work, answering job-related questions and assisting in any job-related matter.
Our Mission
The United Teachers of Lowell promotes growth and respect for our represented professions. We collaborate within our community to ensure Lowell’s public schools continue to be exemplars of democracy and economic opportunity by providing fair access to high-quality, equitable public education.
We are affiliated with American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of Teachers - Massachusetts (AFT-MA), and AFL-CIO.
“The primary function of adults involved in the Lowell Public Schools should be to remove impediments to children learning and teachers teaching. Often Lowell has not lived up to that commitment fully. ”
What We've Achieved
Due to the work of our President, Paul Georges, and the Negotiating Team, the current 3-year contract places Lowell’s teachers’ salaries in the top 20% of cities in MA (2015-2020). It should be noted that in 1992, Lowell teachers’ salaries ranked in the bottom 15% statewide.
If not for our union’s negotiating team’s inclusion of the senior longevity component in our contracts, a current teacher’s retirement, with a Master’s Degree, would be based on Step 7 ($76,533) rather than Step 10 ($86,009) or Step 10B ($88,189).
The UTL developed the Lowell Programs A&B in 2001; this allows teachers in Lowell to attain a Masters Degree standing within the Lowell System or a Masters Degree in conjunction with Fitchburg State College. This program facilitates movement across the salary scale at no cost or considerably lower cost to our members. Lowell is the only system in Massachusetts that enjoys this benefit.
The UTL initiated the Mentoring Program which works in conjunction with the Lowell Program and serves as support for teacher development; successful completion by mentees allows movement on the salary scale. Mentors are also compensated for their participation in the program.
Since 1964, the UTL through the Farrell/Grady Scholarship Fund, has awarded over 1,962 scholarships to eligible high school students whose parents are members of our organization.
The UTL developed the UTL Retired Teachers Organization whose members have been active and participated in many of our programs. The UTL also organized Spring and Fall luncheons for UTL Retirees at which we offer current information concerning health insurance, social security, and political awareness issues.
The UTL, due to the work of our Education Issues Representative, has continued to provide current information regarding Licensure. This rep advises teachers relating to advancing a license, extending an initial license, and renewing a professional license, and monitors the evaluation process, notifying teachers of time frames, changes in protocol, and areas of concern.
The Educational Issues Representative continues to stay in contact with house members and local delegations concerning any areas which impact our members.
The UTL initiated First Book which brought 40,000 free books into the schools and homes of Lowell students (2016-2017).