The AFT Votes Bus Tour is on the road!

Next stop: Chicago, IL!

Union members are “all in” this election season supporting candidates who support the values and actions needed to realize the promise of America. The AFT, which has 600,000 members and their families in battleground states, is hosting a relentless schedule of community forums, town halls, roundtables, and canvassing and door-knocking events over the next two months.

See photos and video from the tour and learn more

Oct. 2 panel “Austerity, Privatization, and the Anti-Education Movement: A Forum with the AFT.” From left to right, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram, Kraus, and AFT-Wisconsin-endorsed State Assembly candidate Alison Page.

To battle scapegoating of higher education, professor authors explosive book — and gets out the vote

Neil Kraus believes in the power of the labor movement to win economic justice and champion education as public good. And in Wisconsin — a tightly contested swing state — Kraus is all in to get out the vote for the Harris-Walz ticket and a slate of progressive state candidates (including Sen. Tammy Baldwin, currently in a toss-up race).

Why I believe in a Harris-Walz ticket

While attending the Democratic National Convention this past summer, Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts, sat down with journalist Sharon Brody of WBUR Boston to talk about why the Harris-Walz ticket gives her hope, as well as the stark contrast between the Republican and Democratic candidates. “We are talking about rolling back decades of advocacy for our schools and privatizing public education, essentially,” Tang said in discussing the effect a Trump-Vance White House could have on education. Read about her thoughts and listen to the full interview on AFT Voices.

AFT’s Weingarten: Tim Walz Wins Debate, Vance Disqualifies Himself

AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after tonight’s vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former AFT member, high school social studies teacher and football coach in Mankato, Minn.: "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won tonight’s debate against Vance by doing what good teachers do: On every question he was asked, he offered practical solutions for a better future."

Read more on aft.org

Photos of high school history teacher and treasurer of the Detroit Federation of Teachers Rodney Fresh (in a series and as if there were in a roll of film)

Project 2025 would hurt my students

I am a second-generation teacher in Detroit, proud to follow in the footsteps of my mother, who taught for 34 years in the same district where I teach ninth-grade U.S. history, 11th-grade world history and Advanced Placement African American studies. I believe strongly in public education and its value in a democratic society. But I am worried.

AFT’s Weingarten: Kamala Harris Wins Debate; Trump Is ‘Incoherent’

AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after tonight’s presidential debate:

“Vice President Kamala Harris won tonight’s debate by focusing on the American people. She understands the aspirations and hopes of Americans. She laid out a strong, positive vision for this country built on unity and specific plans that create an opportunity economy and treat healthcare as a right, not a privilege."

Read more on aft.org

AFT a big presence at the DNC

The energy at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22 was off the charts, registering a joyful resurgence of optimism about the presidential election and the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz candidacy. And the AFT was in the thick of it: There were about 120 AFT members who were convention delegates. Here are some of their reflections on the four days of speeches, panel discussions and strategy sessions that have set up what remains of the election season.

Read more on aft.org

Building CTE at the DNC

As the nation watched the Democratic National Convention, it may have looked like one enormous pep rally, with inspiring speeches to pump up enthusiasm, silly hats bobbing in the crowd and shirtfronts encrusted with political buttons. But outside the phalanx of TV cameras, delegates and leaders—including many from the AFT—were shaping policy, including on education. Such was the case Aug. 21 when a panel of politicians, advocates and labor leaders sat down to discuss the most important aspects of career and technical education, and how we can continue to encourage its growth.

Read more on aft.org

AFT welcomes future second lady Gwen Walz to GOTV town hall

The AFT kicked off its first get-out-the-vote town hall with two special guests: Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz (wife of vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz) and longtime AFT ally Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

Read more on aft.org

Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten and VP candidate Tim Walz

AFT’s Weingarten on Kamala Harris’ Selection of Tim Walz as Her Running Mate

AFT President Randi Weingarten released the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate:

“Gov. Walz has been an unabashed champion for public education, for educators and workers throughout his life in public service. He shares our commitment to solving problems and forging a future in where every American can get ahead, not just get by.

Read more on aft.org

Photo of Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher Brittany Shoup introducing Vice-President Kamala Harris at AFT Convention 2024

Introducing Kamala Harris — literally

I’ve only had three “pinch me, I don’t believe this is real” moments in my life. First, when I was hired as a special education teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools — my dream job since I was a third grader in PPS. Second, when my husband proposed to me on Christmas morning. And the most recent, when I found out I was going to introduce Vice President Kamala Harris at the AFT convention July 25.

2024 Endorsements

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UTLA member Letecia Miller invited AFT President Randi Weingarten to come out on Feb. 9, 2024, for a tour of the Garden High School CTE facilities where students are engaged in experiential learning.

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Historic investments in public education. A fivefold increase for community schools. The resources our students need to heal and thrive post-pandemic. Advocating for better pay and more respect for educators and school staff. Addressing the teacher shortage. Expanding school meals and preventing gun violence. Making school buildings safer and healthier.