INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND TEACHER UNIONS

Strengthening the ties between the American Federation of Teachers and free teacher unions in the rest of the world is more important now than ever before. The survival of principles basic to democratic trade union life may depend on the support we offer now to our fellow unionists abroad. The more we see that collective bargaining, academic freedom, job security and the right to strike are being undermined in other nations, the more we can expect they will be threatened here. Valuing these principles for ourselves requires extending our support to others who value them as well.

We must take note of the so-called teacher unions in totalitarian countries which violate each of these principles we value so highly. As government agents, their representatives are interested only in controlling and suppressing legitimate teacher demands, not pressing employers for improvements. Unfortunately, totalitarian teacher unions are effectively organized to propagandize for their governments. They have made their voices heard in every international arena that admits totalitarian unions as representatives of teachers.

We also recognize that times are difficult for teacher unions that are emerging in newly developing states or in nations that are turning away from dictatorial or authoritarian rule. As the only international teachers or­ganization thoroughly committed to free trade unionism, the International Federation of Free Teacher Unions (IFFTU) has been of crucial importance to the AFT and to all genuine teacher unionists in strengthening our cause. IFFTU has helped defend democratic principles in the face of outright attack from the communist members of the World Federation of Teacher Unions (FISE). It has articulated our basic beliefs when others, like the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP), have been all too willing to compromise them. Unfortunately the National Education Association, a WCOTP affiliate, has unwittingly helped those intending to undermine democracy by dealing with the head of the Soviet teachers' "union" as if she truly represented teachers.

Furthering the hopes of teachers for free and democratic trade union representation requires making tough decisions and strong commitments. The American Federation of Teachers, working closely with the AFL-CIO, sees the need for immediate and long-term action:

• We will denounce all exchanges that recognize totalitarian government officials as trade unionists. Societies that deny the very meaning of representation do not deserve to have their agents defined as "representatives." We are dismayed that the National Education Association and many in our government have chosen not to make this distinction and thereby strengthen the hand of those who suppress workers.

• We urge all free teacher unions to affiliate with IFFTU and take up the cause of furthering democratic unionism.

• We will continue to support the work of the AFL-ClO's international agencies since their help will be essential to our own success.