Press Releases

June 2013

AFT Supports South Korean Education Support Workers (6/19)

AFT on Secretary Duncan's Announcement on Common Core
Test Stakes  (6/18)

NCTQ's Review of Teacher Preparation Programs Needs Improvement (6/17)

AFT's Johnson and the Child Labor Coalition Commemorate World Day Against Child Labor (6/12)

AFT Executive Council Calls for Moratorium on Mass School Closings, Appoints National Federation of Nurses President to Council (6/11)

AFT Calls on Gap Inc. to Sign Bangladesh Safety Accord (6/10)

AFT President Calls Philadelphia School Layoffs a Travesty (6/7)

Sen. Harkin's ESEA Reauthorization Bill Is Good First Step (6/4)

AFT on the Passing of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. (6/3)

May 2013

AFT Statement on Cleveland Teachers Union Contract Ratification (5/31)

AFT Statement on Privacy and Security Concerns about inBloom and Other Data Collection Efforts  (5/31)

AFT to Ask Sallie Mae Shareholders to Approve Disclosure Resolution (5/29)

AFT Statement on Chicago School Closings (5/22)

AFT Stands with Teachers, Parents, Students in Chicago and Across the
Country Uniting to Save and Strengthen Public Education (5/17)

AFT Urges Garment Companies to Sign Bangladesh Building Safety Accord (5/16)

AFT Calls on Congress to Pass the Student Loan Affordability Act (5/15)

Illinois Senate Pension Proposal Is a Good and Fair Agreement (5/13)

AFT President Randi Weingarten on Teacher Appreciation Week  (5/10)

Growing Numbers of Teachers, Parents, Call for Moratorium On High Stakes Linked to Common Core Assessments (5/9)

AFT Statement on Cleveland Teachers Union Tentative Agreement (5/9)

West Virginia Board of Education OKs Community Schools Plan For McDowell County Public Schools (5/8)

AFT Statement on Louisiana Supreme Court Decision on Vouchers (5/7)

AFT Statement on National Nurses Week  (5/7)

AFT Poll of Teachers Finds Strong Support for Common Core Standards and a Moratorium on Stakes (5/3)

UNO Teachers, Staff, Overwhelmingly Vote to Join Chicago ACTS (5/1)

April 2013

AFT's Weingarten Calls for Moratorium on High-Stakes Consequences of Common Core Tests (4/30)

AFT Joins Call for Education for All Children Around the World (4/23)

AFT President Helps Launch AFL-CIO Building Retrofit (4/18)

AFT Statement on Gun Safety Legislation Votes (4/17)

AFT Statement on 'Gang of Eight' Immigration Bill (4/17)

AFT Statement on Uncovered Michelle Rhee Memo on Cheating (4/12)

AFT Statement on OECD Report on Teacher Evaluations  (4/11)

Senate Must Allow a Vote on Commonsense Gun Safety Legislation (4/11)

AFT Statement on Lone Star College Stabbings  (4/10)

AFT Statement on President Obama's Budget (4/10)

AFT President's Statement on Landmark Victory by Washington State Nurses Association in its Legal Battle over Missed Rest Breaks (4/9)

AFT and Cartoon Network Launch National Bullying Prevention Partnership (4/3)

NRA Proposal Will Fail to Keep Our Children and Schools Safe (4/2)

Statement by AFT and GFT Presidents on Atlanta Cheating Scandal And Need to End Testing Fixation and Focus on Teaching and Learning (4/2)

March 2013

AFT Stands with Chicagoans Fighting to Fix, Not Close, Public Schools (3/27)

AFT President Joins DREAMers, Immigrant Workers and Activists For Kickoff of Harris County, Texas, Campaign for Citizenship (3/22)

JFT, AFT Contribute $2,000 to Assist in Search for Missing Jefferson Parish, La., Teacher (3/21)

AFT President's Statement on Exclusion of Assault Weapons Ban from Senate Gun Violence Prevention Bill (3/19)

Statement by AFT President Randi Weingarten on Nomination of Thomas Perez as Labor Secretary (3/18)

Oregon Nurses Association Backs Historic Partnership with AFT (3/16)

Ohio Nurses Association Backs Historic Partnership with AFT (3/15)

AFT President Calls for Swift Action on Gun Violence Prevention Bills (3/15)

New GOP Budget Recycles Old Attacks on Medicare and Economic Fairness  (3/12)

Chicago ACTS, UNO Announce Agreement Guaranteeing Charter Educators the Free Choice to Form a Union (3/8)

AFT Dedicates International Women's Day to Malala's Courage, Bravery (3/8)

Big Money Interests Rebuked by Parent and Teachers in LA School Board Race (3/6)

Labor Movement Stands Up for Full Equality for Gay and Lesbian Americans (3/5)

AFT Comments on Louisiana Court Ruling on Education Measures (3/4)

AFT Alabama: Voucher Bill is a Direct Assault on Public Schools (3/1)

February 2013

AFT President Lauds House Passage of VAWA (2/28)

AFSCME, AFT, SEIU and NEA Launch New Ad Campaign (2/28)

Supreme Court Must Preserve Full Integrity of Voting Rights Act  (2/27)

Dangerous Cuts Would Devastate America's Children and Families (2/25)

Montana Nurses Celebrate Historic Day (2/22)

AFT Calls for Action to Make Digital Health Records Work Better for Patients, Healthcare Providers (2/20)

AFT on MetLife Survey of the American Teacher (2/20)

AFT Statement on Equity and Excellence Commission Report  (2/19)

AFT on President Obama's Early Childhood Education Proposals (2/14)

AFT and National Federation of Nurses Approve Affiliation Agreement (2/14)

President Obama Lays Out Bold Blueprint to Strengthen Our Nation (2/12)

AFT Statement on Killing of Nigerian Healthcare Workers (2/12)

AFT President Lauds Senate Passage of VAWA, Calls for Swift Action by House (2/12)

AFT Welcomes Charter School Educators in Michigan, California and New York (2/8)

AFT Praises Ruling Striking Down Discriminatory Education Policies in Tucson (2/8)

AFT President Weingarten Lauds Teacher-Led, Collaborative Education Model (2/8)

AFT Executive Council Endorses Bar-like Assessment for Teachers (2/7)

AFT President Hails Plan to Extend Early Childhood Education (2/7)

AFT Statement on Senate Hearing on ESEA Waivers and Reauthorization (2/7)

AFT President Lauds Continued Congressional Emphasis on Gun Violence Prevention Measures (2/7)

AFT President Says Immigration Reform Must Address Recruiting Abuses (2/5)

AFT President Lauds Merger of North Dakota Public Employee Unions (2/2)

January 2013

AFT Disappointed by Treasury Department's Ruling on Health Coverage (1/31)

AFT on President's Call for Comprehensive Immigrations Reform (1/29)

AFT Stands with Parents, Community to Fix, Not Close, Schools (1/29)

AFT President Calls for Swift Passage of Assault Weapons Ban (1/24)

AFT on Improving High School Graduation Rate (1/22)

AFT on Presidential Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence (1/16)

AFT Statement on Education Week's Quality Counts 2013 Report (1/10)

AFT on Gates Foundation Report on Measuring Effective Teaching (1/8)

AFT President Calls for Swift Passage of Reasonable Gun Violence-Prevention Legislation (1/3)

AFT on the Cuomo Education Reform Commission Report (1/2)

House Leadership Shamefully Fails to Take Up Superstorm Sandy Relief Bill (1/2)

House Should Act Now to Pass Fiscal Cliff Agreement (1/1)

December 2012

Give One More Gift During this Holiday Season -- Support Newtown Teachers (12/27)

AFT Response to NRA's Call for More Guns in Schools (12/21)

AFT, NEA:  Arming Educators Won't Keep Schools Safe (12/20)

AFT Statement on Latest Proposal to Avert Fiscal Cliff (12/18) 

Community Coalition Lays Out Roadmap for Improving Philadelphia Public Schools (12/18)

Recruiting Firm That Brought Filipino Teachers to Louisiana Ordered to Pay $4.5 Million in Damages for Exploitive Practices (12/18)

Reconnecting McDowell Makes Much Progress in its First Year (12/17)

AFT Urges Michigan Gov. Snyder to Veto Gun-in-Schools Bill (12/17)

AFT Statement on Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School (12/14)

Philadelphia School Reform Commission Closure Plan Ignores Community, Will Destabilize Neighborhoods (12/13)

AFT Statement on the Death of Oregon Nurse in Portland Mall Shooting (12/13)

NYC Teacher Pension Fund Pledges $1 Billion to Investments in Post-Sandy Reconstruction and Other Critical Infrastructure (12/13)

AFT Statement on Michigan's New 'Right to Work' (for Less) Law(12/11)

AFT Statement on 2011 International Math, Science, Reading Assessments (12/11)

Training Gap Limits Educators' Ability to Help Grieving Students (12/10)

AFT and Education International Launch Program to Promote Human and Workers' Rights Around the World (12/10)

AFT Report on Teacher Preparation Recommends Bar-Like Exam And Demonstration of Teaching Competency (12/2)

November 2012

AFT Conference Brings Together School Labor-Management Teams To Align Common Core Standards with Evaluation Systems (11/30)

AFT Announces Campaign to End Testing Fixation (11/26)

Newark, N.J., Teachers Ratify Contract (11/14)

AFT Statement on the President's Remarks Regarding the Impact of the Fiscal Cliff (11/9)

From Senate Races to Ballot Measures, American People Vote Decisively for Shared Responsibility (11/7)

AFT Statement on the Re-election of President Obama (11/6)

October 2012

UPDATE: AFT Election Bus Tour Continues in Florida (10/26)

UPDATE: AFT Election Bus Tour Heads to Florida (10/25)

West Virginia Student Group Donates Filled Backpacks for McDowell Students (10/23)

AFT Launches Multistate Election Bus Tour (10/19)

Labor and Management Back Charter School Staff's Decision to Unionize (10/18)

AFT Statement on the Newark Teachers Union Tentative Contract Agreement (10/18)

AFT Statement on Shooting of Malala Yousafzai (10/11)

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in University of Texas Admissions Case (10/10)

AFT Statement on New Jobs Report (10/5)

AFT Statement on World Teachers' Day (10/5)

September 2012

35 Federal Teacher Incentive Fund Grants Announced (9/27)

AFT, Parents and Community Groups Partner To Lead Community-Driven School Reform (9/21)

Reconnecting McDowell Making Progress to Improve Schools, Communities (9/20)

AFT Statement on Chicago Educators’ Vote to Return to School (9/18)

Boston Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement  (9/12)

Share My Lesson Website Offers One Lucky Registrant $5,000 Toward Student Loans (9/11)

OECD Education Report Echoes AFT's Quality Education Agenda (9/11)

AFT Statement in Support of Striking Chicago Teachers Union Members (9/10)

AFT Statement in Support of Chicago Teachers Union (9/6)

AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFT Members and Leaders Head to Charlotte, N.C., for Democratic Convention (9/4)

August 2012

AFT Connecticut President Sharon Palmer Appointed State Labor Commissioner (8/28)

White House Selects Crow Reservation Teacher Edward Wiest As a 'School Turnaround Champion of Change' (8/23)

AFT Statement on Solutions Not Suspensions Launch (8/22)

PDK/Gallup Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Investment in Schools, Trust Teachers (8/21)

Charlotte County Teachers and Staff Join with National Bereavement Center For Training on How to Support Grieving Students (8/21)

White House Honors Washington, D.C., Public School Teacher As a School Turnaround Champion of Change (8/21)

White House Selects New Haven Federation of Teachers President Cicarella As a 'School Turnaround Champion of Change' (8/20)

White House Report Shows Consequences of Teacher Layoffs (8/18)

AFT Statement on Romney Vice Presidential Selection (8/11)

D.C. Office of Inspector General Report Cheats Kids and Parents (8/10)

Report Highlights Disturbing Data on Out-of-School Suspensions in Our Schools (8/8)

July 2012

AFT Convention July 27-30

Sewell, N.J., High School Graduate Wins Robert G. Porter Scholarship (8/1)

East Amherst, N.Y., High School Grad Wins Robert G. Porter Scholarship (8/1)

Katonah, N.Y., High School Grad Wins Robert G. Porter Scholarship (8/1)

Superior, Wis., High School Graduate Wins Robert G. Porter Scholarship (8/1)

TNTP Report Puzzling, Misses Opportunity to Help All Teachers (7/30)

Randi Weingarten Re-elected AFT President (7/30)

Activists Sandra Fluke, Betty Dukes Receive AFT Women's Rights Awards (7/30)

Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden Address AFT Convention (7/29)

American Federation of Teachers Convention Draws to a Close Monday (7/29)

American Federation of Teachers Convention Welcomes Vice President Biden (7/29)

AFT Delegates Pass Resolutions Against High-Stakes Testing, Adopting New Mission Statement, Investing in Jobs (7/28)

Weingarten Challenges AFT Members to Give 5 Million Books to Kids in Need (7/28)

AFT Innovation Fund Invests in Expanded Learning Time (7/28)

AFT and TES Connect Officially Launch 'Share My Lesson' With New Resources Aligned with Common Core State Standards (7/28)

American Federation of Teachers Convention Kicks into High Gear (7/28)

AFT Teams Up with Designer Norma Kamali to Offer Women Professional, Affordable Clothing Line (7/28)

AFT President Randi Weingarten Unveils Solution-Driven Unionism at AFT National Convention (7/27)

American Federation of Teachers Convention Kicks Off in Detroit (7/27)

AFT Convening in Detroit - Vice President Joe Biden, Charles Blow, Diane Ravitch, UAW President Bob King Among Major Speakers (7/26)

AFT Delegates To Rally at DPS Headquarters (7/26)

AFT and Community Partners Hold 'Healthy Living' Event (7/26)

Michigan Educators, National AFT Union Join with First Book To Give Nearly Half a Million Books to Kids Here and Around the Nation (7/19)

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden to Address AFT at Detroit Convention (7/18)

10,000 Strong and Growing for Putting Teaching Ahead of Testing (7/13)

American Federation of Teachers to Meet in Detroit in July (7/12)

Education Sector Report Makes Clear That America's Teachers See Key Role for Unions (7/10)

AFT Statement on the Passing of Nicholas Yovnello, President, Council of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT/AFL-CIO (7/9)

AFT Lauds New Collaborative Education Reform Law for Cleveland Schools (7/2)

June 2012

University of Illinois-Chicago Faculty Win Fight for Representation (6/29)

Student Loan Rate Agreement a Win for Many Students, Less So for Others (6/29)

AFT Applauds Supreme Court Healthcare Reform Decision (6/28)

Education Trust Report Highlights Importance of Strong and Supported Work Environment on Teaching and Student Learning (6/27)

AFT Statement on Supreme Court Immigration Decision (6/25)

AFT Statement on Supreme Court Campaign Finance Decision (6/25)

AFT Congratulates New AFSCME Leadership (6/22)

Privacy Bill Will Prevent Public Shaming of Educators (6/21)

 AFT Calls on Congress to Stop Student Loan Rate Hike (6/21)

Court Rules New Orleans Teachers Were Illegally Fired After Katrina (6/20)

Report Takes the Measure of Title IX's Promise of Gender Equity (6/20)

AFT and Britain's TES Connect Unveil 'Share My Lesson,' Which Will Become Largest Online Site for U.S. Teacher Resources (6/19)

Los Angeles AFT Members Approve Contract Saving 4,000 Jobs, Services for Kids (6/18)

Landmark Immigration Action Expands Opportunities for Students (6/15)

AFT Stands with Chicago Teachers Union (6/11)

AFT Statement on Wisconsin Recall Election Results (6/6)

May 2012

Hillsborough Teachers Join with First Book and Community To Provide Free Books (5/31)

AFT Calls for Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (5/31)

Educators, Leaders, Community Announce New Collaborative Education Reform Agreement in Cleveland (5/25)

Cincinnati Teachers and United Way Join with First Book To Provide Free Books to Students in CPS Fifth Quarter Program (5/24)

AFT Denounces Romney's Rehash of Failed Education Proposals (5/23)

Weingarten to Join 400 Educators, Administrators, Leaders at Labor-Management Conference on Collaborative School Reforms (5/21)

AFT Applauds President Obama's Support of Marriage Equality (5/9)

AFT Lauds Connecticut Education Reform Agreement (5/8)

AFT Announces 2012 Everyday Heroes (5/3)

April 2012

Gov. Cuomo Names AFT President to Education Reform Commission (4/30)

AFT: Don't Solve Student Loan Problems by Robbing from Healthcare Law (4/27)

AFT Commends Measure Aimed at Curbing Diploma Mills Targeting Vets (4/27)

AFT Lauds Career and Technical Education Blueprint (4/20)

Romney: Sorry Kids, Attacking Unions Is Way More Important Than Your Education (4/16)

Reconnecting McDowell Partners Announce New Juvenile Drug Court (4/16)

Report Finds States' Slipping Commitment to Early Childhood Education Threatens Gains Achieved over Last Decade (4/10)

AFT's Weingarten on the Passing of Mark Ayers, President. Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO (4/9)

March 2012

Federal District Judge Upholds Workers' Voice in Workplace (3/30)

Rebuild America Act Offers Bold, Comprehensive Blueprint to Strengthen Economy, Invest in America's Future (3/29)

Statement of American Federation of Teachers, Florida Education Association and National Education Association on Trayvon Martin (3/27)

Affordable Care Act Helping to Ensure Quality, Affordable Healthcare Not a Luxury for a Few, but a Promise to All Americans (3/26)

AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Passing of John Payton (3/24)

AFT's Weingarten Calls for More Collaboration and Reinvestment in Rhode Island Public Schools (3/22)

Republican Budget Prioritizes Tax Breaks for Wealthy, While Cutting Public Education, Crippling Medicare, Making College More Costly (3/20)

Weingarten Statement on the Council on Foreign Relations' task force report, "U.S. Education Reform and National Security" (3/19)

New Survey Provides Insights from Teachers on What's Needed to Build Strong Public Schools  (3/16)

AFT President Randi Weingarten and the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (3/12)

McDowell County Legislation Gives Schools, Community Big Boost (3/10)

MetLife Teacher Survey Results Show Cuts to Public Schools, Demonization of Teachers Take Toll on Teacher Job Satisfaction (3/6)

Florida Court Upholds Rule of Law, Protects Retirement Benefits for Public Employees (3/6)

America's Schools Are Still Separate and Unequal (3/6)

February 2012

'Bully' Deserves PG-13 Rating to Ensure Film Reaches Parents and Students Across the Country (2/29)

Chardon High School Community: Our Hearts, Thoughts and Prayers Are with You (2/29)

Republican Education Bills Undermine Efforts to Provide All Children with a High-Quality Public Education (2/28)

New York City Releases Teacher Rankings Based on Unreliable Data (2/24)

AFT on New York teacher evaluation system: Collaboration beats conflict (2/16)

AFT Executive Vice President Visits Bahrain Embassy To Call for Release of Teachers Union Leader Imprisoned After Pro-Democracy Demonstrations (2/13)

AFT's Randi Weingarten: President's Budget Would Provide Relief to Struggling Americans, Invest in America's Future (2/13)

Weingarten on Foreclosure Abuse Settlement (2/9)

Weingarten On Granting of NCLB Waivers to 10 States (2/9)

AFT Executive Council Extends Its Partnership With AAUP in Higher Education (2/7)

American Federation of Teachers Endorses President Obama For Re-election (2/7)

Weingarten On Indiana's Right-to-Work (for Less) Legislation (2/1)

January 2012

Weingarten On President Obama's Financial Aid Overhaul Plan (1/27)

 Public Schools Are Cornerstone of Strong Economy, Strong Democracy, Strong Middle Class (1/24)

Weingarten On Democratic Governors Association Jobs Report (1/20)

Weingarten on Citizens United Second Anniversary (1/20)

Weingarten on Quality Counts Report (1/12)

'Reconnecting McDowell' Advances with Grants, Projects (1/11)

Weingarten on Appointment of Cecilia Munoz as Domestic Policy Council Director (1/10)

Weingarten On Gates Foundation Report on Measuring Effective Teaching (1/6)

Weingarten On Federal Report on Unreported Medical Errors (1/6)

December 2011

Weingarten on Omnibus Spending Bill (12/17)

Reconnecting McDowell: Long-Term Partnership to Transform County (12/16)

Weingarten On Assault of Special Needs Student in Cleveland (12/9)

Weingarten On Request for NLRB to Grant Union Rights to Private University Grad Employees (12/8)

Weingarten  On NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment Results (12/7)

Weingarten On New Guidelines to Promote Diversity at U.S. Colleges and Universities (12/5)

Minnesota Approves Nation's First Union-Backed Organization To Authorize Charter Schools (12/5)

Weingarten on U.S. Education Department Report on Staffing in Low-Income Schools (12/2)

AFL-CIO, AFT and BCTD Laud $4 Billion Commitment to Presidential 'Better Buildings Challenge' Initiative (12/2)

November 2011

Weingarten On Efforts to Speed Up Adoption of Computerized Health Records (11/30)

Weingarten On Campus Calls to Curb Mounting Student Debt and Budget Cuts (11/29)

Weingarten On Supercommittee's Apparent Failure to Reach Deficit Deal (11/21)

John Tarka Named Administrator of the Broward Teachers Union (11/21)

Weingarten On Bullying by Students and Educators (11/18)

Weingarten Responds to Court Decision To Evict Occupy Wall Street Protesters from Zuccotti Park (11/15)

Weingarten and Ullico Join Gov. Kitzhaber to Announce Investment of up to $15 Million in Oregon Schools (11/10)

Weingarten On the Repeal of Ohio Senate Bill 5 (11/8)

Weingarten On New York State Public Employees Federation Ratification Vote (11/3)

Weingarten On NAEP Reading and Math Results (11/1)

Weingarten Responds to American Enterprise Institute Report on Teacher Compensation (11/1)

October 2011

Weingarten On the NCTQ Report on Teacher Evaluation (10/26)

AFT President Says Extended Learning Time Works if Done Well (10/25)

AFT Resolution Recommends Fixes to Improve Testing Integrity, Protocols (10/24)

AFT President Randi Weingarten, U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy, Union and Education Leaders Push for Jobs Plan in New Britain, Conn. (10/21)

Weingarten On ESEA Reauthorization Bill (10/21)

Weingarten On Senate's "No" Vote On Jobs Bill (10/21)

American Federation of Teachers Reinforces Anti-Bullying Message on National 'Spirit Day' (10/20)

Weingarten On Sens. Harkin-Enzi ESEA Reauthorization Changes (10/17)

Weingarten Visits Yonkers and North Bergen Schools That Could Benefit from American Jobs Act  (10/17)

Weingarten On Federal Appeals Court Ruling Halting Parts of Alabama Immigration Law (10/14)

Thousands of AFT Members Will Join Saturday's March for Jobs and Justice (10/14)

Schools and Students Can't Rely on Bake Sales  (10/13)

AFT Responding to Senate 'No' Vote on Cloture for the American Jobs Act (10/11)

Harkin-Enzi Reauthorization of ESEA Bill (10/11)

Weingarten On the Wall Street Protests (10/5)

Laid-Off Teachers and Other AFT Leaders Join Obama in Texas And Biden in Florida to Support American Jobs Act (10/4)

Weingarten On World Teachers' Day (10/4)

Weingarten On Alabama's New Immigration Law (10/4) 

More 2011 releases...