AFT Convention Daily: Wednesday July 24, 2024

UAW President Shawn Fain: Fighting for the entire working class

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, who led his union to a historic strike victory against the Big Three automakers last year, electrified delegates with a call for a global workers’ movement and a vow that, in the fight for a better life for all, “the UAW will have your back every step of the way.” He urged delegates to stand strong in November because “everything is at stake.”

Partnerships in politics mean real solutions for the public good

The AFT has always been a solution-driven union, and one of the best solutions to education, healthcare and public service problems is to elect people who will work for the public good. On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Chicago Teachers Union President and AFT Vice President Stacy Davis Gates; New York state Sen. John Mannion; and New York State United Teachers President and AFT Vice President Melinda Person showed us all how to partner successfully to advance policies that help working people in the most meaningful ways.

Code Red is a real solution for healthcare workers

During the general sessions on July 24, AFT President Randi Weingarten took some time to introduce delegates to the work of the AFT’s divisions, starting with the healthcare division. She highlighted Code Red, the campaign that provides real solutions for healthcare workers, patients and communities.

Delegates pass PSRP Bill of Rights with standing ovation

The PSRP Bill of Rights resolution passed unanimously with cheers and a standing ovation at the close of the afternoon general session today at the AFT convention in Houston. AFT President Randi Weingarten said that our job now is to “move heaven and earth” to elect politicians who will pass the same bill at the state and national levels to ensure our paraprofessionals get the rights, privileges and benefits they deserve.

Plugging students into their passion with CTE

The AFT is committed to engaging students in programs that provide hands-on experience and lead to good-paying jobs—whether or not they go to college. AFT delegates met this morning over breakfast to learn from a panel of union leaders and guests about the opportunities and challenges involved in developing exciting career pathways for students.

Civil rights activist Rachelle Horowitz receives AFT’s Bayard Rustin Human Rights Award

Civil rights activist and former AFT Political Director Rachelle Horowitz received the AFT Bayard Rustin Human Rights Award today at the AFT convention in Houston, with Rustin’s partner, Walter Naegle, present. Horowitz started working with Rustin when she was just 17 and said she was humbled to receive the award because she knows “how difficult it is to live up to the ideals of Bayard Rustin.”

Here’s to our mentors, guides and heroes

A year ago, the AFT launched our Real Solutions for Kids and Communities campaign to help children bounce back and thrive after the disruptions caused by COVID-19, and to combat the harmful culture war attacks on public education. Over the past year, the campaign has taken us to more than 20 states, where we’ve witnessed the power of experiential learning firsthand. One such program was recognized during the afternoon general session at the AFT’s convention on July 24.

Resolutions

17 resolutions demonstrate the AFT’s values and commitment to our communities

The AFT’s delegates had a busy day, passing 17 resolutions. Resolutions from the Healthcare Access/Quality Committee recommit the AFT to the Code Red campaign for the next two years, pledge to continue supporting the Brooklyn Needs Downstate coalition, and advocate for artificial intelligence to be used in healthcare in ethical ways that protect patients and workers. And, from the RNs/Healthcare Workers Committee, delegates approved resolutions to address the root causes of moral injury among healthcare workers, protect workers and patients by making workplaces safer and healthier, and stop the abuse and exploitation of internationally educated health professionals.

The Educational Issues Committee’s resolutions call for responsible, equitable use of artificial intelligence with union voice in developing AI guardrails, union-wide support for the AFT’s Real Solutions for Kids and Communities campaign, and ending overemphasis on high-stakes testing and instead focusing on fostering joy, collaboration and problem solving. The Human Rights Committee’s resolutions assert support for migrant students and their families, commit to ensuring that Indigenous students are culturally and academically affirmed in all schools, and pledge to advocate for and dedicate resources to establishing LGBTQIA+ affirming and inclusive school environments and workplaces.

Resolutions from the International Relations Committee resolved that the AFT issue a statement that envisions “a democratic future where Israelis and Palestinians can both live in dignity, with peace and self-determination for all,” declare support for the people of Haiti and establish a committee to show humanitarian solidarity with them, and set forth a plan to help the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine develop a professional development course on trauma-informed education and social and emotional well-being. Plus, a resolution protecting seniors calls for improving our healthcare and retirement safety nets, and a resolution on the PSRP Bill of Rights—that passed with a standing ovation—pledges the AFT’s advocacy for legislation providing the wages, benefits and working conditions that school and college paraprofessionals and support staff deserve.

Worth checking out

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This daily update is produced by the AFT communications department. Photos by Pamela Wolfe, Russ Curtis and Suzannah Hoover.