SUPPORTING SAFE WORKPLACES AND SAFE SCHOOLS FOR ALL

WHEREAS, students, teachers, and school and college support staff have experienced increased stress, uncertainty, financial hardship and emotional turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic; and

WHEREAS, schools are meant to be a safe haven for all who enter, including those who work in them; and

WHEREAS, funding and other resources for mental health, trauma, emotional and behavioral supports have not kept pace with the increased need for these resources and supports; and

WHEREAS, special education paraprofessionals and teachers are at a significantly increased risk for “student related injuries” and had the highest workers’ compensation claims rate (5 for every 100 full-time employees) for such injuries, compared to all other school personnel; and

WHEREAS, American Federation of Teachers affiliate locals have reported an uptick in the number of members being injured on the job, and a corresponding increase in the number of hospitalizations, workers’ compensation claims, and resignations; and

WHEREAS, the AFT is committed to making schools and colleges as safe as possible for students and our members:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will help assist locals in collecting workplace safety and member injury data; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to assist affiliates in developing campaigns to address workplace violence, and school and college safety issues; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for the collection of national school and college trends on violence, and provide resources and supports to locals engaged in issue advocacy around violence, workplace assault and injury.

(July 16, 2022)