K-12 LABOR EDUCATION

WHEREAS, union density in the United States has fallen to levels unseen since early in the last century; and

WHEREAS, a strong labor movement is crucial to the preservation and advancement of democracy and to the betterment of the lives of working people; and

WHEREAS, students need to know about labor history and the role of unions in protection of workers' rights in order to make informed decisions about their lives at work; and

WHEREAS, there are growing numbers of local resources and programs devoted to K-12 labor education including those produced and facilitated by AFT locals and state federations; and

WHEREAS, these programs and resources, to be more useful and effective, require support and coordination at levels beyond the capacity of any one organization; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and the national AFL-CIO form a task force to develop a plan to support and coordinate K-12 labor education; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and the AFL-CIO convene a national K-12 labor education conference within the next year and a half in order to educate teachers and union activists about the best materials and practices in the field.