American Federation of Teachers

American Federation of Teachers. The American Federation of Teachers is a labor union that represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and other education professionals in the United States. Founded in 1916, the organization is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and has over 1.7 million members, making it one of the largest unions in the country, alongside the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union. The AFT is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a strong presence in states like New York, California, and Illinois, with notable locals including the United Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union.

● History

The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 by a group of teachers in Chicago, Illinois, who were inspired by the Industrial Workers of the World and the American Federation of Labor. The early years of the organization were marked by struggles with the National Education Association, which was seen as more conservative and less focused on collective bargaining. The AFT gained momentum in the 1920s and 1930s, with the help of leaders like John Dewey and Margaret Haley, who were influenced by the Progressive Movement and the Socialist Party of America. During World War II, the AFT supported the war effort and worked with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to promote labor rights and social justice, alongside organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● Organization

The American Federation of Teachers is a democratic organization with a national convention that meets every two years to set policy and elect leaders, similar to the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention. The organization is headed by a president, who is currently Randi Weingarten, and a executive council that includes representatives from each state and local union, such as the New York State United Teachers and the California Federation of Teachers. The AFT also has a number of departments and divisions, including the Educational Research and Development department and the Healthcare division, which work on issues like teacher evaluation and healthcare reform, in partnership with organizations like the American Medical Association and the National Institute of Health.

● Membership

The American Federation of Teachers has over 1.7 million members, making it one of the largest unions in the United States, alongside the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union. The organization represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and other education professionals in public schools, private schools, and higher education institutions, including community colleges and universities like Harvard University and Stanford University. The AFT also represents nurses and healthcare professionals in hospitals and healthcare facilities, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and has a strong presence in states like New York, California, and Illinois, with notable locals including the United Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union.

● Politics_and_Advocacy

The American Federation of Teachers is a strong advocate for public education and labor rights, and has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns and strikes, including the 2018 West Virginia teachers' strike and the 2019 Los Angeles teachers' strike, which were supported by organizations like the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union. The organization has also been a vocal critic of education reform efforts, such as No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, which were promoted by politicians like George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and has worked with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union to promote social justice and civil rights.

● Collective_Bargaining

The American Federation of Teachers is a strong supporter of collective bargaining and has negotiated thousands of contracts with school districts and higher education institutions, including community colleges and universities like University of California, Berkeley and University of Michigan. The organization has also been involved in a number of high-profile labor disputes, including the 2012 Chicago teachers' strike and the 2019 United Teachers Los Angeles strike, which were supported by organizations like the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union. The AFT has worked with other unions, such as the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, to promote labor rights and collective bargaining, and has partnered with organizations like the AFL-CIO and the Economic Policy Institute to promote worker rights and economic justice.

● Notable_Members_and_Leaders

The American Federation of Teachers has a number of notable members and leaders, including Albert Shanker, who served as president of the organization from 1974 to 1997, and John Dewey, who was a founding member and influential educator, and was associated with institutions like Columbia University and the University of Chicago. Other notable members include Randi Weingarten, who has served as president of the organization since 2008, and Diane Ravitch, who is a prominent education historian and policy analyst, and has worked with organizations like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress. The AFT has also been led by notable figures like Sandra Feldman and Edward McElroy, who have worked to promote labor rights and social justice, alongside organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.