Community schools succeed from the grass roots up

On Saturday four AFT leaders shared their experiences growing community schools, each zealously advocating for these hubs where services such as healthcare, food pantries, housing assistance and more are available, ensuring students’ basic needs are met so that they can focus on learning. “This is pretty much the most important educational and social strategy that we can have that will help kids thrive,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

Fighting gun violence will take all of us

RuQuan Brown, Sarah Lerner and David Hogg, educator and student activists on the frontlines of ending gun violence, joined AFT President Randi Weingarten at the AFT convention to discuss this public health emergency. Each panelist knows firsthand the devastation gun violence brings, and their conversation was both sobering and energizing, offering attendees concrete steps they can take to end gun violence.

Panel discusses strategies to prioritize patients over profit

Nurses and health professionals have always envisioned a patient-first healthcare system, but the industry has become increasingly profit-driven. AFT President Randi Weingarten was joined by a panel of health professionals on July 15 to discuss how unions can construct a healthcare system that puts patient care and worker safety over corporate profits. With the increase in burnout and moral injury, one panelist noted, “You have to take care of you in order to be able to take care of somebody else.”

Building power: AAUP and AFT formalize affiliation

The convention hall erupted in cheers as AFT President Randi Weingarten and American Association of University Professors President Irene Mulvey signed a formal agreement on Friday, creating a powerful force for higher education advocacy. The alliance comes just in time to address pressing issues, including threats to academic freedom, disinvestment in higher education and the contingent faculty crisis.

Amazon, Starbucks and new frontiers in labor organizing

Friday morning’s electrifying session focused on new frontiers in organizing, from Amazon to Starbucks to green jobs. It featured AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls, and Starbucks organizers Richard Bensinger, Kylah Clay and Jordie Adams. With Americans’ approval of labor unions at its highest point since 1965, the moment is now. “If we don’t step up, who will?” asked Shuler.

Dr. Jill Biden on the importance of teaching

Excitement ran high as AFT President Randi Weingarten escorted first lady Dr. Jill Biden onto the stage at the AFT convention in Boston. With regard to public education, there is no more crucial person in this administration than Dr. Biden, Weingarten said, because she sees and cares about the work lives of educators. “We’re big fans of your husband,” Weingarten said. “But can I be really honest here? We’re really, really, really big fans of you.”

Elizabeth Warren stokes the fight for kids—and against student debt

Sen. Elizabeth Warren gave a rousing speech on day two of the AFT convention, fiercely advocating for the top issues she champions alongside AFT leaders: sensible gun safety legislation; adequate public school resources; trust and respect for educators who teach the truth; and one of her top priorities, student debt relief. With student debt burdening millions of Americans, some more than others, she said this is not only an economic matter, it is also a racial and gender justice issue.