Delegates at the American Federation of Teachers national convention voted resoundingly to re-elect AFT President Randi Weingarten to a third term.
Also re-elected to lead the 1.5 million-member union were AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson and Executive Vice President Francine Lawrence. The union also elected 43 vice presidents representing each of the AFT’s divisions: K-12 teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; public employees; and healthcare workers.
“I am proud to lead a union of leaders, activists and those who make a difference for communities,” said Weingarten. “Once again, we are all called to action. We must stand up against the unholy alliance that is trying to destroy democracy, kill public services, marginalize working families and destabilize communities.”
Earlier in the convention, the more than 3,000 delegates passed a series of resolutions to increase educational and economic opportunity, including resolutions:
- Taking a stand against America’s fixation on high-stakes testing;
- Adopting a new mission statement for the union;
- Redoubling the union’s commitment to putting Americans back to work, stabilizing communities, and investing in infrastructure and public services;
- Developing a nationwide anti-bullying hotline for students, parents and support staff to receive support and counseling to keep schools safe;
- Opposing voter-suppression laws that deny Americans a voice in our democracy;
- Affirming the union’s support for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and advocating for safe staffing levels to ensure patients receive the best care;
- Ensuring all children have access to high-quality early learning programs; and
- Challenging the corrosive impact Citizens United is having on our democracy.
