In Support Of Organizing Locals For Strike And Action Readiness

WHEREAS, AFT members every day make a difference in the lives of others, be it our students, our patients or our communities, and we want a country of hope and opportunity, not fear and division, where we have our freedom and a voice at work and in our democracy; and

WHEREAS, the AFT fights for that better quality of life, and for the real solutions that get us there—at the bargaining table or ballot box, in our schools and healthcare facilities, and on our streets; and

WHEREAS, AFT members have long taken an active role in shaping their future—in their workplaces, their communities and the halls of power; and

WHEREAS, 37 states and Washington, D.C., place active restrictions on AFT members’ First Amendment rights to protest and fight for what is best for our school communities, be it under a "right to work" law or a "public sector block" on labor actions; and

WHEREAS, the AFT recognizes that without the ability to take labor actions, many unions are left at a severe disadvantage when it comes to bargaining for our collective good, and this leads to worse outcomes for educators, public schools and students:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will do what it does best by organizing our members, working with labor and community partners, and building union power to create a stronger labor movement, to maintain a democratic society and to build a better life for all; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and our affiliates will provide the necessary resources and undertake the necessary programs to comprehensively educate, organize and mobilize members, allies and the general public about how to use labor actions to fight for our priorities; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to bring all necessary resources to bear, including providing information and tools, supporting affiliates in legal matters, and working with and educating other stakeholders in how to prepare for and organize a strike; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will provide specific trainings and support to all interested locals upon request, including, but not limited, to:

• The legal requirements and best practices for how to establish a strike fund;
• The best practices and legal protections that unions should prepare for in states that don't allow public sector union strikes; and
• Best practices for how to work alongside parents and community members when organizing for a strike.