American Federation of Teachers

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is the second-largest teacher's labor union in the United States. Founded in Chicago in 1916, it is a member of the AFL-CIO. Initially, the union was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1916. With its inception, AFT distinguished itself from the National Education Association by excluding school administrators from membership[1][4].

History

AFT was established with eight locals and grew rapidly, chartering over 174 locals in its first four years. However, due to pressure from school boards, its membership declined to less than 5,000 by the late 1920s. During the Great Depression, the union regained strength, with membership increasing to 33,000 by 1939. Influential college professors joined during this period, and the union began advocating for tenure laws and academic freedom[1][4].

In the 1940s, AFT faced internal issues related to allegations of communist infiltration, leading to the revocation of charters for several local unions in 1941. Despite these challenges, the union continued to grow and become a significant force in education policy[1]. The 1960s and 1970s were marked by numerous teacher strikes and the eventual emergence of collective bargaining as a core strategy[1].

Membership and Structure

Today, the AFT represents approximately 1.8 million members across various sectors, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, and healthcare professionals[5]. The union operates through over 3,000 local affiliates and is governed by elected officers and delegates to its biennial convention[5].

Activities

Collective Bargaining

AFT has been instrumental in promoting collective bargaining rights for educators, with a significant increase in agreements covering teachers by the late 1970s[1].

Civil Rights

The union was a pioneer in advocating for civil rights and equal educational opportunities. It supported desegregation efforts and filed amicus briefs in landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. In the early 1960s, AFT actively supported civil rights movements, such as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom[1].

Education Reform

Under leaders like Albert Shanker and Randi Weingarten, the AFT has played a crucial role in education reform discussions. However, it has also faced criticism for its stance on issues like tenure reform and charter schools[2][4].

Higher Education

AFT has been a leader in organizing higher education faculty since its inception. Professors from institutions like Howard University were among the first to join the union. Over the years, AFT has advocated for collective bargaining rights in higher education, which have become a cornerstone of its policy in this sector[3].

Political Influence

The AFT is a significant player in liberal policy and Democratic Party politics. It contributes substantially to Democratic candidates and engages in public relations campaigns on issues like teacher tenure and charter schools[2].

Notable Members

The AFT has had several notable members throughout its history, including John Dewey, Albert Einstein, and Hubert Humphrey[5].