More videos from the convention - see some of what the 3300 delegates saw-
http://aft.org/convention/videos/index.htm
-
Monday, July 14, 2008
Greater Than 1 Logo Background
AFT's Leslie Getzinger talks about how the "greater than >1 one" logo was developed for the AFT Convention.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
AFT Endorses Barack Obama for President
On Sunday, July 13, the delegates to the AFT Convention endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States of America.
Speaking for the Chicago Teachers Union, CTU President Marilyn Stewart said, “Mr. Obama for his years in the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. Senate, has proven to be a friend to both education and organized labor. Today, more than ever this country needs great strength, as it addresses the many problems we face. The old solutions to our problems with the economy, international affairs and domestic relationships, will no longer do in the future. Barack Obama brings us hope and a new tomorrow for the United States. Illinois is proud to have in its heritage being the land of Lincoln. As we move into the future, we are filled with even greater pride in the realization that we soon be the land of Lincoln and Obama. I urge my brothers and sisters in this room to give their full and enthusiastic support for his candidacy. Yes we can! Yes we can!”
Senator Obama, spoke live via satelite from California, and thanked AFT for their support.
"If you stand up with me these next four months; if you march with me and knock on doors and make phone calls and register voters, and talk to your friends and co-workers and neighbors; then I promise you this: we will win this election; we will change education in this country; and we will bring about a better future for our children and for this country we love."
Speaking for the Chicago Teachers Union, CTU President Marilyn Stewart said, “Mr. Obama for his years in the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. Senate, has proven to be a friend to both education and organized labor. Today, more than ever this country needs great strength, as it addresses the many problems we face. The old solutions to our problems with the economy, international affairs and domestic relationships, will no longer do in the future. Barack Obama brings us hope and a new tomorrow for the United States. Illinois is proud to have in its heritage being the land of Lincoln. As we move into the future, we are filled with even greater pride in the realization that we soon be the land of Lincoln and Obama. I urge my brothers and sisters in this room to give their full and enthusiastic support for his candidacy. Yes we can! Yes we can!”
Senator Obama, spoke live via satelite from California, and thanked AFT for their support.
"If you stand up with me these next four months; if you march with me and knock on doors and make phone calls and register voters, and talk to your friends and co-workers and neighbors; then I promise you this: we will win this election; we will change education in this country; and we will bring about a better future for our children and for this country we love."AFT CONVENTION VIDEOS - #2
Here's your chance to see some of the same things the delegates are seeing here at the Navy Pier in Chicago at the 80th AFT Convention -
The plenary sessions are taped and made available for your viewing by going to this site- enjoy
http://aft.org/convention/videos/index.htm
The plenary sessions are taped and made available for your viewing by going to this site- enjoy
http://aft.org/convention/videos/index.htm
AFT CONVENTION TRIVIA
Delegates to the 1984 AFT Convention, which was held in Washington DC approved the schedule allowing for conventions to be held every two years. This allowed AFT to hold its popular QuEST conference to be held in Washington in the off-years.
The first AFT Biennial Convention was held in Chicago in 1986
At that time:
The first AFT Biennial Convention was held in Chicago in 1986
At that time:
- AFT had 630,000 members
- Albert Shanker was AFT Preident
AFT Communicators Network Annual Conference Features Media Center
AFT Communicators Network Annual Conference Features Media Center
How communications go hand in hand with organizing activities, how to use a handheld video camera, how to reframe our perceptions and language about public service, and how to talk to the media were just a few of the sessions offered at the AFT Communicators Network (AFTCN) 2008 conference, July 9 and 10 in Chicago. A feature of the conference, which precedes the AFT 2008 national convention, is a media center where affiliate communicators could post stories, video and photos from the AFTCN conference and from the AFT national convention. (Go to www.blogger.com. username: aftcn08; password: convention.)
AFTCN members at the conference, “Many Voices, One Message,” heard Edward J. McElroy’s last address to them as president of the American Federation of Teachers when he delivered the keynote speech the morning of July 9. In the AFT convention following the communicators’ conference, McElroy is retiring as AFT president.
McElroy emphasized that communications has been and is “most important to the national AFT.” We’ve done a lot to make this happen, said McElroy, noting that Kris Kemmerer was hired as the new communications director last year and Priscilla Nemeth was appointed to coordinate the AFT Communicators Network full time.
The organization that paved the way for AFTCN and that still functions as complement and support, the AFT Communications Association, presented McElroy with its Albert Shanker Lifetime Achievement Award. Not that many people understand the importance of communications like Ed McElroy does, commented AFTCN advisory committee member and AFT Connecticut second vice president Leo Canty, who presented the award to McElroy.
The Shanker award presentation kicked off a day and a half of intense, hands-on workshops and plenary sessions to help AFT affiliate communicators learn more about their craft and about best applications. Participants came from as close as Chicago (Chicago Teachers Union) and as far away as the Guam (Guam Federation of Teachers).
Public perceptions about public services
One of the most thought-provoking sessions was led by Patrick Bresette, associate program director of Public Works: The Dēmos Center for the Public Sector. The Center’s objective is to engage people in the discussion of how to communicate effectively about public issues and government service—that is, how to communicate in a more positive fashion. The AFT, which represents a large public employee constituency, can play a role in changing the nature of the conversation about government by promoting the idea that public institutions are crucial to advancing the common good. The dominant story the public hears about government, he noted, tends to focus on partisan politics, bloated bureaucracy and citizens as consumers of government services. “More people can name the three stooges than the three stages of government,” he said.
Communications and organizing: symbiotic relationship
“Integrating communications into your organizing plans from the very beginning” of a campaign is key, said Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) communications coordinator Dorothee Benz who addressed the AFTCN members at a July 10 conference session.
The panel discussion titled “Issues-based Organizing Campaigns” featured PSC-CUNY treasurer Michael Fabricant, Texas AFT organizing director Don Welch and communications director Rob D’Amico, as well as Benz and AFT organization and field services director Lou Nayman, who moderated.
PSC-CUNY had mounted a contract bargaining campaign to win salary increases and other benefits, including parental leave, and health care for graduate assistants, as well as
to drive back management demands. The campaign featured a number of communications tools, including a series of issues-based pamphlets, a well-attended cultural event and rally, faxes, an organizing campaign and more. “Planning is everything,” said Benz about how the campaign and its communications worked together.
“It is true you cannot separate organizing and communications,” said Texas AFT organizing director Don Welch, who pointed to the many useful, targeted communications vehicles created by Texas AFT communications director Rob D’Amico. The affiliate’s campaign reflected their members’ need to “reclaim” their classrooms from the unreasonable demands of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael Fabricant, PSC-CUNY treasurer who spoke about the plan behind the affiliate’s contract campaign emphasized that “organizing is about building power and communications around organizing should be about the same thing.”
AFTCN contest awards
A highlight of the AFTCN conference in Chicago was the awards banquet, at which the many affiliates who entered the 2008 communications contest were honored for the communications achievements. AFTCN advisory committee member Gail Purkey, who is the Illinois Federation of Teachers communications director and the woman behind the contest in years past, was at the podium to hand out awards to affiliate representatives.
Here is a complete list of the contest winners:
2008 AFTCN Awards
CLASS I (10,000+ members)
AFT Connecticut
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), second place, Inside AFT Connecticut
Best Feature Story, second place, State of the Union
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, State of the Union
Best Web Site (StateWeb), second place, www.aftct.org
AFT Massachusetts
Best News Story, second place, The Advocate
Best Feature Story, third place, The Advocate
Best Editorial or Column, first place, The Advocate
California Federation of Teachers
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, California Teacher
Best News Story, first place, California Teachers
Best Design/Layout, third place, California Teacher
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, “Yes on 92”
Chicago Teachers Union
Best News Story, second place, Chicago Union Teacher
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), third place, “Professionals, It Takes One to Create One”
Education Minnesota
Best Editorial or Column, third place, Minnesota Educator
Best Design/Layout, first place, Minnesota Educator
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, “Schools First!” campaign, year 2
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.educationminnesota.org
Illinois Federation of Teachers
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.ift-aft.org
New York State Public Employees Federation
Best Original Illustration or Photo, third place, The Communicator
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), second place, “NYS Data Center Move”
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.thecommunicator.org
New York State United Teachers
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.nysut.org
Oregon School Employees Association
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, OSEA Journal
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), third place, Classified Employees Week
Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), first place, This Week in the PSC – Your Union at Work
Best News Story, third place, Clarion
Best Editorial or Column, second place, Clarion
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, Clarion
Best Design/Layout, first place, Clarion
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, second place, contract campaign
Texas AFT
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, Texas Teacher
Best Feature Story, first place, Texas Teacher
Best Editorial or Column, third place, Texas Teacher
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, Texas Teacher
Best Web Site (StateWeb), first place, tx.aft.org
United Teachers of Los Angeles
Best Feature Story, third place, United Teacher
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), second place, “Pay Teachers Right” payroll campaign
United University Professions (N.Y.)
Best News Story, third place, The Voice
Best Design/Layout, second place, The Voice
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, 2008 ad campaign, “SUNY is NY’s Economic Engine”
CLASS II (1,001– 9,999 members)
Alaska Public Employees Association/Supervisory Unit
Best Web Site (Other), second place, su.apea-aft.org
Albuquerque Teachers Federation (N.M.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, The Teacher’s Voice
Boston Teachers Union
Best News Story, third place, Boston Union Teacher
Cleveland Teachers Union
Best Feature Story, third place, CTU Critique
Best Web Site (StateWeb), second place, www.ctu-279.org
Cook County College Teachers Union (Ill.)
Best News Story, second place, College Union Voice
Best Editorial or Column, third place, College Union Voice
Best Web Site (StateWeb), first place, il.aft.org/local1600
Council of New Jersey State College Locals
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.cnjscl.org
Faculty Association of Suffolk Community College (N.Y.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, Community Outreach (December Web page)
Georgia Federation of Teachers
Best Design/Layout, second place, GFT/AFT Messenger
Guam Federation of Teachers
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, GFT News
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, Fair Taxes poster campaign
Newark Teachers Union (N.J.)
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.ntuaft.com
NYSUT Retiree Council 17 (N.Y.)
Best News Story, first place, Seventeen Soundings
Best Editorial or Column, second place, Seventeen Soundings
Temple Association of University Professionals (Pa.)
Best Design/Layout, third place, TAUP Bulletin
Union of Clerical, Administrative, and Technical Staff (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, Momentum
United Educators of San Francisco
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Feature Story, first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Design/Layout, first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, “Thank a Teacher: Settle a Fair Contract”
University Professionals of Illinois
Best Feature Story, second place, University People and Issues
Volusia Teachers Organization (Fla.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, “For Working Families, Where’s Relief?” (www.news-journalonline.com)
Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5001
Best News Story, third place, 5001 News Transfusion
Best Editorial or Column, first place, News Transfusion
Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 8070
Best Feature Story, second place, Network
Best Editorial or Column, first place, Network
Best Web Site (StateWeb), third place, www.wfnhp.org
CLASS III (1,000 or fewer members)
Billings Classified Employees Association (Mont.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, BCEA Newsletter
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.bceabillings.org
East Detroit Federation of Teachers (Mich.)
Best Original Illustration or Photo, third place, EDFT Monthly Newsletter
Federation of Rowan College Educators/Retirees (N.J.)
Best Feature Story, second place, AFTerwords
Best Design/Layout, third place, AFTerwords
Harlem Federation of Teachers (Ill.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, HFT Update
Best News Story, second place, HFT Update
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, HFT Update
Best Design/Layout, first place, HFT Update
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, “Thank You Harlem Community!”
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.harlemft.org
Malverne Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best Editorial or Column, second place, The MTA Messenger
Meriden Federation of Teachers (Conn.)
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), first place, MFT Union Bulletin
North Babylon Teachers’ Organization (N.Y.)
Best News Story, third place, Partners in Education
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, Partners in Education
Best Design/Layout, second place, Partners in Education
Randolph Central School Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best Feature Story, first place, The RCSTA Banner
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, The RCSTA Banner
Valley Central Teachers Association (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, VC Echoes
Best Feature Story, third place, VC Echoes
Best Editorial or Column, first place, VC Echoes
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, VC Echoes
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), second place, VC Echoes
West Genesee Teachers’ Association (N.Y.)
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.wgta.net
West Islip Retired Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best News Story, first place, WIRTA News
Best Editorial or Column, third place, WIRTA News
Winona Education Association (Minn.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, “Educating Every Child Every Day”
How communications go hand in hand with organizing activities, how to use a handheld video camera, how to reframe our perceptions and language about public service, and how to talk to the media were just a few of the sessions offered at the AFT Communicators Network (AFTCN) 2008 conference, July 9 and 10 in Chicago. A feature of the conference, which precedes the AFT 2008 national convention, is a media center where affiliate communicators could post stories, video and photos from the AFTCN conference and from the AFT national convention. (Go to www.blogger.com. username: aftcn08; password: convention.)
AFTCN members at the conference, “Many Voices, One Message,” heard Edward J. McElroy’s last address to them as president of the American Federation of Teachers when he delivered the keynote speech the morning of July 9. In the AFT convention following the communicators’ conference, McElroy is retiring as AFT president.
McElroy emphasized that communications has been and is “most important to the national AFT.” We’ve done a lot to make this happen, said McElroy, noting that Kris Kemmerer was hired as the new communications director last year and Priscilla Nemeth was appointed to coordinate the AFT Communicators Network full time.
The organization that paved the way for AFTCN and that still functions as complement and support, the AFT Communications Association, presented McElroy with its Albert Shanker Lifetime Achievement Award. Not that many people understand the importance of communications like Ed McElroy does, commented AFTCN advisory committee member and AFT Connecticut second vice president Leo Canty, who presented the award to McElroy.
The Shanker award presentation kicked off a day and a half of intense, hands-on workshops and plenary sessions to help AFT affiliate communicators learn more about their craft and about best applications. Participants came from as close as Chicago (Chicago Teachers Union) and as far away as the Guam (Guam Federation of Teachers).
Public perceptions about public services
One of the most thought-provoking sessions was led by Patrick Bresette, associate program director of Public Works: The Dēmos Center for the Public Sector. The Center’s objective is to engage people in the discussion of how to communicate effectively about public issues and government service—that is, how to communicate in a more positive fashion. The AFT, which represents a large public employee constituency, can play a role in changing the nature of the conversation about government by promoting the idea that public institutions are crucial to advancing the common good. The dominant story the public hears about government, he noted, tends to focus on partisan politics, bloated bureaucracy and citizens as consumers of government services. “More people can name the three stooges than the three stages of government,” he said.
Communications and organizing: symbiotic relationship
“Integrating communications into your organizing plans from the very beginning” of a campaign is key, said Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) communications coordinator Dorothee Benz who addressed the AFTCN members at a July 10 conference session.
The panel discussion titled “Issues-based Organizing Campaigns” featured PSC-CUNY treasurer Michael Fabricant, Texas AFT organizing director Don Welch and communications director Rob D’Amico, as well as Benz and AFT organization and field services director Lou Nayman, who moderated.
PSC-CUNY had mounted a contract bargaining campaign to win salary increases and other benefits, including parental leave, and health care for graduate assistants, as well as
to drive back management demands. The campaign featured a number of communications tools, including a series of issues-based pamphlets, a well-attended cultural event and rally, faxes, an organizing campaign and more. “Planning is everything,” said Benz about how the campaign and its communications worked together.
“It is true you cannot separate organizing and communications,” said Texas AFT organizing director Don Welch, who pointed to the many useful, targeted communications vehicles created by Texas AFT communications director Rob D’Amico. The affiliate’s campaign reflected their members’ need to “reclaim” their classrooms from the unreasonable demands of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael Fabricant, PSC-CUNY treasurer who spoke about the plan behind the affiliate’s contract campaign emphasized that “organizing is about building power and communications around organizing should be about the same thing.”
AFTCN contest awards
A highlight of the AFTCN conference in Chicago was the awards banquet, at which the many affiliates who entered the 2008 communications contest were honored for the communications achievements. AFTCN advisory committee member Gail Purkey, who is the Illinois Federation of Teachers communications director and the woman behind the contest in years past, was at the podium to hand out awards to affiliate representatives.
Here is a complete list of the contest winners:
2008 AFTCN Awards
CLASS I (10,000+ members)
AFT Connecticut
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), second place, Inside AFT Connecticut
Best Feature Story, second place, State of the Union
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, State of the Union
Best Web Site (StateWeb), second place, www.aftct.org
AFT Massachusetts
Best News Story, second place, The Advocate
Best Feature Story, third place, The Advocate
Best Editorial or Column, first place, The Advocate
California Federation of Teachers
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, California Teacher
Best News Story, first place, California Teachers
Best Design/Layout, third place, California Teacher
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, “Yes on 92”
Chicago Teachers Union
Best News Story, second place, Chicago Union Teacher
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), third place, “Professionals, It Takes One to Create One”
Education Minnesota
Best Editorial or Column, third place, Minnesota Educator
Best Design/Layout, first place, Minnesota Educator
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, “Schools First!” campaign, year 2
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.educationminnesota.org
Illinois Federation of Teachers
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.ift-aft.org
New York State Public Employees Federation
Best Original Illustration or Photo, third place, The Communicator
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), second place, “NYS Data Center Move”
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.thecommunicator.org
New York State United Teachers
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.nysut.org
Oregon School Employees Association
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, OSEA Journal
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), third place, Classified Employees Week
Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), first place, This Week in the PSC – Your Union at Work
Best News Story, third place, Clarion
Best Editorial or Column, second place, Clarion
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, Clarion
Best Design/Layout, first place, Clarion
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, second place, contract campaign
Texas AFT
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, Texas Teacher
Best Feature Story, first place, Texas Teacher
Best Editorial or Column, third place, Texas Teacher
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, Texas Teacher
Best Web Site (StateWeb), first place, tx.aft.org
United Teachers of Los Angeles
Best Feature Story, third place, United Teacher
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), second place, “Pay Teachers Right” payroll campaign
United University Professions (N.Y.)
Best News Story, third place, The Voice
Best Design/Layout, second place, The Voice
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, 2008 ad campaign, “SUNY is NY’s Economic Engine”
CLASS II (1,001– 9,999 members)
Alaska Public Employees Association/Supervisory Unit
Best Web Site (Other), second place, su.apea-aft.org
Albuquerque Teachers Federation (N.M.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, The Teacher’s Voice
Boston Teachers Union
Best News Story, third place, Boston Union Teacher
Cleveland Teachers Union
Best Feature Story, third place, CTU Critique
Best Web Site (StateWeb), second place, www.ctu-279.org
Cook County College Teachers Union (Ill.)
Best News Story, second place, College Union Voice
Best Editorial or Column, third place, College Union Voice
Best Web Site (StateWeb), first place, il.aft.org/local1600
Council of New Jersey State College Locals
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.cnjscl.org
Faculty Association of Suffolk Community College (N.Y.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, Community Outreach (December Web page)
Georgia Federation of Teachers
Best Design/Layout, second place, GFT/AFT Messenger
Guam Federation of Teachers
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, GFT News
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, Fair Taxes poster campaign
Newark Teachers Union (N.J.)
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.ntuaft.com
NYSUT Retiree Council 17 (N.Y.)
Best News Story, first place, Seventeen Soundings
Best Editorial or Column, second place, Seventeen Soundings
Temple Association of University Professionals (Pa.)
Best Design/Layout, third place, TAUP Bulletin
Union of Clerical, Administrative, and Technical Staff (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, Momentum
United Educators of San Francisco
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Feature Story, first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Design/Layout, first place, San Francisco Educator
Best Issues-Based Organizing Materials, first place, “Thank a Teacher: Settle a Fair Contract”
University Professionals of Illinois
Best Feature Story, second place, University People and Issues
Volusia Teachers Organization (Fla.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, “For Working Families, Where’s Relief?” (www.news-journalonline.com)
Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5001
Best News Story, third place, 5001 News Transfusion
Best Editorial or Column, first place, News Transfusion
Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 8070
Best Feature Story, second place, Network
Best Editorial or Column, first place, Network
Best Web Site (StateWeb), third place, www.wfnhp.org
CLASS III (1,000 or fewer members)
Billings Classified Employees Association (Mont.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), third place, BCEA Newsletter
Best Web Site (Other), third place, www.bceabillings.org
East Detroit Federation of Teachers (Mich.)
Best Original Illustration or Photo, third place, EDFT Monthly Newsletter
Federation of Rowan College Educators/Retirees (N.J.)
Best Feature Story, second place, AFTerwords
Best Design/Layout, third place, AFTerwords
Harlem Federation of Teachers (Ill.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), first place, HFT Update
Best News Story, second place, HFT Update
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, HFT Update
Best Design/Layout, first place, HFT Update
Best Public Relations Activity (Single Effort), first place, “Thank You Harlem Community!”
Best Web Site (Other), first place, www.harlemft.org
Malverne Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best Editorial or Column, second place, The MTA Messenger
Meriden Federation of Teachers (Conn.)
General Excellence – Publications (Electronic), first place, MFT Union Bulletin
North Babylon Teachers’ Organization (N.Y.)
Best News Story, third place, Partners in Education
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, Partners in Education
Best Design/Layout, second place, Partners in Education
Randolph Central School Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best Feature Story, first place, The RCSTA Banner
Best Original Illustration or Photo, second place, The RCSTA Banner
Valley Central Teachers Association (N.Y.)
General Excellence – Publications (Print), second place, VC Echoes
Best Feature Story, third place, VC Echoes
Best Editorial or Column, first place, VC Echoes
Best Original Illustration or Photo, first place, VC Echoes
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), second place, VC Echoes
West Genesee Teachers’ Association (N.Y.)
Best Web Site (Other), second place, www.wgta.net
West Islip Retired Teachers Association (N.Y.)
Best News Story, first place, WIRTA News
Best Editorial or Column, third place, WIRTA News
Winona Education Association (Minn.)
Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign), first place, “Educating Every Child Every Day”
AFT Delegates Show Solidarity for Healthcare Workers
The possibilities of thunderstorms didn't stop AFT's delegates from wanting to go to Resurrection Hospital to rally on behalf of the healthcare workers who have been fighting for a fair contract.Delegates showed their determination, opening their umbrellas and chanting "Let's Go Now!"
The rally continued indoors with AFT president Edward J. McElroy telling the delegates and the hospital workers, "Every story has two sides, but when it comes to your fight, there are no gray areas. You are right and management is wrong!"
AFT vice president Randi Weingarten said, "In New York, we know what it's like to rally in the rain. We stand with Resurrections' workers, patients and community until this struggle is over."
The emotion of the struggle at Resurrection became evident when Emma Escobedo, a hospital housekeeper who was fired for her union activity, took the microphone. Her voice breaking, in tears she struggled to speak. Delegates throughout the hall chanted "Yes You Can!" encouraging her to tell her story.
"Resurrection may have fired me, but they haven't got the best of me," she said. AFT delegates donated more than $7,600 to help Escobedo and her family.
Also speaking at the rally were AFT vice president Marilyn Stewart and Ann Twomey, AFSCME organizing director Tracey Abman, and Resurrection worker Shirley Brown.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Labor History: Militant Action Credited for Gains
As President of Cook County College Teachers Union-American Federation of Teachers, Local 1600, Norman Swenson led six strikes between 1966 and 1978 and landed in jail for his efforts. Today, Swenson, now Retiree Chapter Chair for the local, credits its militancy with leading to organizing new members, solidifying collective bargaining rights and successfully landing contracts.
Emphasizing the important of the non-violent militant methods of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatama Ghandi helped create new law in Illinois, according to Swenson. “We were the first public employee union in Chicago to gain a collective bargaining contract, although there were many unions larger and more powerful,” said Swenson in an online history. “I was the first union president in Chicago to be punished for striking, and I was sentenced to jail terms in 1971 and 1975.”
The local now represents more than 4,000 members in 22 chapters in Cook County in including faculty members, professional employees, classified employees, retirees and adjuncts professors.
AFT now honors locals who exercise intelligent and aggressive militancy with the Norman Swenson AFT Higher Education Militancy Award to recognize Swenson's contribution to the union.
In 2008, the award recognized the Union of Rutgers Administrators-American Federation of Teachers, Local 1766. The workers led an aggressive organizing campaign leading to recognition for almost two thousand university workers and a successful contract campaign.
Convention Videos
The daily schedule of the 2008 AFT Convention includes plenary sessions focused on important issues for AFT members.
These sessions are taped by the production crew here and uploaded to this website
Check it out and see what the 3000+ delegates saw here at the Convention Center on the Navy Pier in Chicago
Friday, July 11, 2008
Convention delegates raise their voices at action center
Clustered around a network of computers in the exhibit area, AFT convention delegates are weighing in on issues as diverse as changing No Child Left Behind to protesting attacks on workers worldwide at the Greater Together Action Center. The center offers prewritten letters that can be e-mailed to members of Congress, ambassadors, agency heads and other decision-makers.
Delegates Tom Kosowski and Veronica Aguirre from the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, Local 4408, used the center to communicate to their members of Congress on the Employee Free Choice Act.
"This center offers AFT members a quick way to deliver an important message," said AFT staffer Connie Cordovilla, who was assisting members with the center's login process. The Center is located in the convention exhibit area.
Delegates Tom Kosowski and Veronica Aguirre from the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, Local 4408, used the center to communicate to their members of Congress on the Employee Free Choice Act."This center offers AFT members a quick way to deliver an important message," said AFT staffer Connie Cordovilla, who was assisting members with the center's login process. The Center is located in the convention exhibit area.
AFT Convention opens with Constituent Issues
The 2008 AFT Convention opened with a general session at the Convention Center on the Navy Pier in Chicago this afternoon. But before the official bang of the gavel to start the proceedings, delegates had a great opportunity to participate in meetings where they discussed and voted on a number of issues that would guide the union for the next two years. Teachers, PSRPs, Health Professionals, Higher Education Faculty and Staff, Public Employees and Retirees started the day in separate Division Meetings to talk about hot topics, issues affecting their constituencies and got a heads up on upcoming resolutions and issues facing the union.
Christine Alvarado
Judd, a member from University Health Professionals Local 3837 in Connecticut was one of many people offering insight and comment on constituent issues in the Health Care Division Meeting. Her topic was about ways to engage new, young members in their union. In speaking about her own experience in becoming active in her local union she had some advice to offer the audience. "The most important thing to do with young members is to ask them to participate. Having free food at meetings helps too," said Judd.
Judd, a member from University Health Professionals Local 3837 in Connecticut was one of many people offering insight and comment on constituent issues in the Health Care Division Meeting. Her topic was about ways to engage new, young members in their union. In speaking about her own experience in becoming active in her local union she had some advice to offer the audience. "The most important thing to do with young members is to ask them to participate. Having free food at meetings helps too," said Judd.Many union members think they will have a hard time balancing work, family, children, and all the other time consuming life pressures and be active in the union. "Yes it is 'work' to be active. But if the union is fun and meaningful and the tasks we need to get done are broken into doable sized activities we can make it happen and people will like it," said Judd.
UHP in Connecticut has over 2,500 members. Judd has been involved for the last six yea
rs since she became a part of the bargaining unit. She related her experiences where local union activists helped her learn the process, engaged her in activities she enjoyed, mentored her progress and helped her as she found more meaning in union involvement. "I have a great contract and a great union that has members who care about their work lives, their institution and their union and more people get involved every day," says Judd. "Working together we have the power to make changes that help people and the place we work- that's how our union works. Too many people have not made that connection so they may not see the value of investing their time in an effort that really can produce positive outcomes in a rewarding way," she said.
rs since she became a part of the bargaining unit. She related her experiences where local union activists helped her learn the process, engaged her in activities she enjoyed, mentored her progress and helped her as she found more meaning in union involvement. "I have a great contract and a great union that has members who care about their work lives, their institution and their union and more people get involved every day," says Judd. "Working together we have the power to make changes that help people and the place we work- that's how our union works. Too many people have not made that connection so they may not see the value of investing their time in an effort that really can produce positive outcomes in a rewarding way," she said.AFT >1 Video Collage
AFT Communications Director Krim Kemmerer and the AFT Communications Department did a great job on the backdrop visuals for the main convention stage. Click here for a video of members' photos coming together for the ">1" convention them.
80th AFT Convention Convenes
The AFT has convened its 80th convention at the Navy Pier in Chicago, where more than 3,000 delegates will vote on new AFT leadership and a recommendation to endorse Senator Barack Obama for president. Delegates have already taken up the Greater Than One theme of the convention by taking action in the Greater Together Action Center. In the Action Center, delegates have been able to send letters to Congress to demand collective bargaining rights for all public employees; sign petitions to honor the 500,000 school bus drivers through the creation of a U.S. postage stamp; donate to Chicago's Fresh Start schools; volunteer to work on the presidential campaign this fall; and much more.
You don't have to be a convention delegate to Take Action.
Click here to Take Action today!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Gathering brings together AFT communicators
Almost 100 AFT editors and communicators from around the country gathered in Chicago for the annual AFTCN conference, which featured hands-on workshops, roundtable discussions, and plenary sessions on the November 2008 elections, the connection between communications and organizing, and strategies for communicating more effectively about the vital role of government in society.
The conference, "Many Voices, One Message," opened with an address by retiring AFT president Edward J. McElroy, who was honored with the AFTCA Albert Shanker Lifetime Achievement Award. "I made communications one of my priorities because I believe it's one of the most important things we do as an organization and as a union," he said.
AFTCN has a media center at this year's convention where AFT Communicators will be putting together videos and articles about inside events. You can find these stories online at http://aftcn.blogspot.com/.
The conference, "Many Voices, One Message," opened with an address by retiring AFT president Edward J. McElroy, who was honored with the AFTCA Albert Shanker Lifetime Achievement Award. "I made communications one of my priorities because I believe it's one of the most important things we do as an organization and as a union," he said.
AFTCN has a media center at this year's convention where AFT Communicators will be putting together videos and articles about inside events. You can find these stories online at http://aftcn.blogspot.com/.
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