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AFT Convention Daily: Monday July 22, 2024
“Progress is possible”: Weingarten inspires delegates to keep fighting for a better life for all
The AFT’s 2024 convention opened in Houston with a warm welcome from Texas AFT President Zeph Capo, Texas U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Colin Allred, and labor legend Dolores Huerta. Introducing AFT President Randi Weingarten, three AFT activists spoke movingly about what their union’s support under her leadership has meant to them. Weingarten laid out an expansive vision for an America where “hate has no harbor” and celebrated AFT membership topping 1.8 million. Showing that progress is possible by describing dozens of union accomplishments, Weingarten urged members to do their utmost to get out the vote.
AFT votes to endorse Kamala Harris for president
The AFT has officially endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. The endorsement was finalized July 22 when delegates from across the nation voted at the AFT’s convention, ratifying a resolution passed unanimously by the union’s executive council the day before.
Divisional meetings focus on a better life for all
Each of the AFT’s six divisions met today to further their fights for a better life for all. At the Public Employees divisional meeting, the focus was on artificial intelligence, which is currently doing everything from tracking child support payments to assisting attorneys with legal discovery, and the union needs to be ready for how that will shift public sector work. In the Nurses and Health Professionals division meeting, it was clear that the AFT’s Code Red campaign has been an overwhelming success—targeting staffing, workplace safety, training, infrastructure and the accountability of healthcare corporations. Higher Education’s divisional meeting focused on a new campaign to ensure higher education truly serves students and communities and to reclaim higher education as a public good. Teachers at their divisional meeting reviewed AFT publications and related resolutions, then examined how voucher systems can decimate public schools by gutting funds and prioritizing profit. The PSRP divisional meeting covered cutting-edge issues such as the impact of AI and the stakes for PSRPs in the November election—but throughout this meeting, the need for respect and sustainable jobs was clearly the strongest priority. Members of the Retiree division celebrated victories and shared strategies for continuing their lifelong fight for workers’ rights, retirement with dignity and safeguarding our democracy.
AFT partners with Parents Circle to launch ‘Listening from the Heart’
The AFT has partnered with Parents Circle to launch a free educational program to facilitate meaningful student dialogue around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that generates empathy and encourages students to see the humanity in each other.
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.