In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times  column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

7/14/20                                                                         

For immediate release

A statement from Birmingham AFT President, Richard Franklin concerning the re-opening of Alabama’s public schools (Survey results included):

The safety and health of our public-school communities must be first and foremost in any plans to reopen buildings so that educators can teach, and students can learn. The road map to return to in-person classroom instruction must be clear, universal and focused on science and the advice of top health experts. It must not jeopardize the health and well

The AFT’s flexible blueprint for imagining a new normal for public education, public health and our society

Until a vaccine is developed for COVID-19, each community is going to need support in charting a path to safely and responsibly reopen school buildings and other institutions crucial to the well-being and economic vitality of our communities.

The AFT’s detailed, science-based “Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities” features five core pillars based on the science as well as educator and healthcare expertise—not on politics or wishful thinking.

As COVID-19 spreads, the American Federation of Teachers believes that there will be significant closings of state, county and local operations and is calling on all public employee leaders and members to prepare for it. The AFT is working constantly to help our members and the people they serve navigate this virus, and buffer against the economic impacts. 

Click on the  link to access AFT Resources

https://www.aft.org/coronavirus

While Alabama’s 722,000 students won’t return to k-12 classrooms this spring, some teachers will be returning to school as early as April 6.

As officials form their plans for distance learning, due to the state department of education by Friday, teachers are learning whether they're required to return to school buildings to do their work. 

https://www.al.com/news/2020/04/alabama-schools-to-reopen-with-teachers-but-no-students.html