Massachusetts
Mass. teachers want paid parental leave. Here’s why they don’t get it already. – The Boston Globe
Those two issues repeatedly have become flash points during contract negotiations between educators and their school committees and have driven teachers to the picket lines.
State law requires most workers to be provided paid parental leave and minimum wage. So why do teachers have to fight for those rights? Here’s what to know.
What is Mass. Paid Family and Medical Leave?
Since 2021, Massachusetts has guaranteed most workers up to 26 weeks of paid time off, in addition to employer-provided sick days. The leave, funded through a payroll tax and issued by the state, covers about 60 to 80 percent of a person’s salary, although employees can top off their pay with company-provided sick and vacation time.
Massachusetts is one of only a dozen states with paid parental leave. (Federal law requires certain employers to offer 12 weeks of unpaid leave, with employees able to return to their jobs post-leave.)
The parental leave policy was part of a 2018 bill known as the “grand bargain” that also raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour and eliminated time-and-a-half pay on Sundays.
Teachers, and other municipal workers, were specifically excluded from the parental leave part of the bill, and they were already left out of the state’s minimum wage because lawmakers can’t obligate cities and towns to pay parental leave costs without providing them the funds to do so (and they need a super-majority in favor to raise the municipal minimum wage). Municipal employees are still covered by the federal minimum wage, but it is less than half of the state bar, at just $7.25.
Instead of requiring municipalities to pay their share of the payroll taxes and grant their employees paid family leave, the bill gave them the option to opt in. But according to Matt Kitsos, a spokesman for the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, not a single municipality has opted into the policy.
Why aren’t teachers covered by the law?
The state is barred from creating new costs for municipalities, a provision called the Local Mandate Law. The law was enacted as part of the 1981 tax law Proposition 2½, which limits municipalities’ ability to raise funds. The state is only permitted to impose additional costs on cities and towns if it provides them additional funds. That meant municipalities could not be forced to pay new payroll taxes to fund the benefit. (Communities can vote to accept additional costs — hence the parental leave opt-in.)
A separate piece of state law, written into the state constitution, governs municipal employee benefits and compensation directly. Under the provision, the state can set standards for cities and towns — like the minimum wage — only if the law passes with a two-thirds majority.
Other exempt workers include independent contractors and people working for churches and certain other religious organizations. Employees of the state government do receive paid family leave, as do charter school employees.
Many teachers have relatively generous sick time policies that roll over from year to year, but that accumulation puts younger teachers at a disadvantage and some policies exclude nonbirthing parents from using sick time for parental leave.
“It is just an enormous inequity that our educators, public school educators, who are two-thirds or more women, do not have access to a guaranteed good paid family leave policy,” Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said. “In almost every table where there’s bargaining with the MTA across 400 locals, the issue of paid family leave is a top, top priority.”
According to data from the association, dozens of its local unions have negotiated standalone paid parental leave policies with their districts for an average of about 17 guaranteed days.
Page said his union intends to file legislation to address the issue so educators receive “the equivalent” of the paid leave private-sector and state employees receive.
In recent strikes, union members have won as many as eight weeks of fully paid parental leave.
Page said the union will also file legislation to raise wages for paraprofessionals, although it may not take the form of expanding the state’s minimum wage.
Christopher Huffaker can be reached at christopher.huffaker@globe.com. Follow him @huffakingit.
Ben & Jerry’s cofounder forcibly removed from Senate hearing
Capitol Police was directed to physically remove protesters from a Senate hearing, including Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s.
Ben & Jerry’s is giving out free ice cream on April 14. On that day, ice cream lovers can walk into any participating shop and leave with dessert – no wallet required.
The Vermont-based company is preparing to serve up “1 million and one” scoops across 13 countries on Free Cone Day, a highly anticipated annual giveaway event, according to a Ben & Jerry’s press release.
“Free Cone Day is all about our fans. It’s our way of saying thank you with an international moment of togetherness,” CEO Jochanan Senf said in a statement.
The Free Cone Day tradition began in 1979, after the ice cream company’s first year of business in Burlington, and has continued to grow ever since.
Here’s where to get a free scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream this year in Massachusetts.
When is Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day 2026?
This year, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day is on Tuesday, April 14. The free ice cream is typically given out at Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops between noon and 8 p.m., though some shops may vary.
How Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day works
Customers can visit any participating Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop to receive a free cup or cone of ice cream, according to the company’s website. You can pick whichever flavor you want. No purchase is required.
“There’s no catch and no fine print,” Ben & Jerry’s said on the website.
While there may be a line outside your local Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop on Free Cone Day, it will likely move quickly because staff don’t need to ring up orders.
And the best part? Customers can get back in line as many times as they’d like. In fact, it’s actually encouraged, according to a Ben & Jerry’s press release.
“So, if fans are stuck choosing between a classic flavor like Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cookie Dough, or a Scoop Shop exclusive like Marshmallow Sky, Sweet Cream & Cookies or Mint Chocolate Chunk, they needn’t worry. Why choose just one, when they can try them all!” the company said.
Participating Ben & Jerry’s locations in MA
At least 17 Ben & Jerry’s locations in Massachusetts participate in Free Cone Day. Here are their addresses and special Free Cone Day hours:
- Boston – Faneuil Hall: 8 North Market St., Bay 22, North Market, Boston, MA 02109 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Boston – Fenway: 61 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Boston – Newbury Street: 174 Newbury St.,Boston, MA 02116 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Boston – Prudential Center: 800 Boylston St., Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Boston – Quincy Market: 4 South Market St., Boston, MA 02109 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Boston – Seaport: 83 Seaport Boulevard,Boston, MA 02110 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Braintree – South Shore Plaza: 30 Forbes Road,Braintree, MA 02184 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cambridge – Harvard Square: 35 JFK St., Cambridge, MA 02138 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cambridge – Porter Square: 59 White St., Cambridge, MA 02140 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Hingham – Derby Street: 92 Derby St., #113, Hingham, MA 02043 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Hyannis: 352 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Marlboro: 187 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA 01752 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Natick: 1265 Worcester St., Route 9 West, Natick, MA 01760 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- North Eastham: 50 Brackett Road, North Eastham, MA 02651 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Pittsfield: 79 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- South Deerfield – Yankee Candle Company: 25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Watertown – Arsenal Yards: 103 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, Watertown, MA 02472 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
This week marks 20 years since Massachusetts passed a landmark health care reform law that reshaped how residents access medical care and helped pave the way for national changes.Signed on April 12, 2006, the Massachusetts health care reform law — often referred to as “Romneycare” — expanded insurance coverage through a combination of Medicaid expansion, subsidized private plans, and an individual mandate requiring most residents to carry insurance. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the law led to one of the highest insured rates in the country, with coverage now exceeding 97% of residents.Two decades later, doctors say the impact is still being felt, especially when it comes to how patients enter and navigate the health system.Dr. Daniel Chandler, a primary care physician and associate chief medical information officer at Tufts Medical Center, says the law fundamentally changed access to care.“Health insurance really allows people to have a primary care doctor and a medical home,” Chandler said. “And the alternative to that is often the emergency department, which can be very expensive.” With expanded coverage, more residents are now able to see primary care providers, allowing for earlier intervention and preventive care.Chandler says that shift can make a significant difference.“You can get some necessary screening done and preventive care when it’s relatively easy to fix and it’s less expensive,” he said.Despite high coverage rates, affordability remains a top issue for many patients.“Patients complain about cost all the time,” Chandler said, noting that premiums are only part of the financial burden. “Often, there’s a lot of co-pays that can add up if you choose the wrong plan.”For patients, navigating insurance options can be overwhelming, especially during limited enrollment periods.“The topic is incredibly complex,” Chandler said. “If you have resources like family members or friends who are knowledgeable, I always recommend that you ask them.” Doctors warn that financial pressure can lead patients to delay or skip treatment — a decision that can have long-term consequences.“It can be really catastrophic to avoid treatment,” Chandler said. “If a problem is easy to fix early, that can get more difficult and more expensive over time if you don’t fix it early.”To help address those challenges, many health systems — including Tufts Medicine — now offer support services such as social workers and pharmacy teams to help patients find lower-cost medications, financial assistance or other resources.
This week marks 20 years since Massachusetts passed a landmark health care reform law that reshaped how residents access medical care and helped pave the way for national changes.
Signed on April 12, 2006, the Massachusetts health care reform law — often referred to as “Romneycare” — expanded insurance coverage through a combination of Medicaid expansion, subsidized private plans, and an individual mandate requiring most residents to carry insurance. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the law led to one of the highest insured rates in the country, with coverage now exceeding 97% of residents.
Two decades later, doctors say the impact is still being felt, especially when it comes to how patients enter and navigate the health system.
Dr. Daniel Chandler, a primary care physician and associate chief medical information officer at Tufts Medical Center, says the law fundamentally changed access to care.
“Health insurance really allows people to have a primary care doctor and a medical home,” Chandler said. “And the alternative to that is often the emergency department, which can be very expensive.”
With expanded coverage, more residents are now able to see primary care providers, allowing for earlier intervention and preventive care.
Chandler says that shift can make a significant difference.
“You can get some necessary screening done and preventive care when it’s relatively easy to fix and it’s less expensive,” he said.
Despite high coverage rates, affordability remains a top issue for many patients.
“Patients complain about cost all the time,” Chandler said, noting that premiums are only part of the financial burden. “Often, there’s a lot of co-pays that can add up if you choose the wrong plan.”
For patients, navigating insurance options can be overwhelming, especially during limited enrollment periods.
“The topic is incredibly complex,” Chandler said. “If you have resources like family members or friends who are knowledgeable, I always recommend that you ask them.”
Doctors warn that financial pressure can lead patients to delay or skip treatment — a decision that can have long-term consequences.
“It can be really catastrophic to avoid treatment,” Chandler said. “If a problem is easy to fix early, that can get more difficult and more expensive over time if you don’t fix it early.”
To help address those challenges, many health systems — including Tufts Medicine — now offer support services such as social workers and pharmacy teams to help patients find lower-cost medications, financial assistance or other resources.
Massachusetts
USPS Worker Pinned Under Mail Truck After Massachusetts Crash Lucky To Be Alive, Fire Chief Says
April 13, 2026
First responders say a United States Postal Service worker is lucky to be a live after a crash in Medway Friday that left her trapped under her mail truck.
Shortly before 11:20 a.m., police say a red pickup truck driving along Main Street struck the postal truck from behind. The mail carrier inside the postal truck was leaning out to deliver mail at the time.
The crash sent the truck rolling into the mulch of a nearby front lawn.
A USPS worker was pinned under her truck following a crash in Medway/CBS Boston
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