AFT-Speeches

Shanker expresses AFT’s support of H.R. 50, to combat unemployment. Shanker explains that unemployment and inflation ruin America’s education system. He urges for a quick passing of this bill to save America’s schools.

Shanker speaks before the House subcommittee on Social Security.

Al Shanker advocates that the democratic presidential candidate adopt the AFT''s program on a number of issues. The AFT''s ideas include: expanding the federal government''s role in funding education; increasing access to post-secondary education through tuition assistance; creating a system of federal daycare centers run through the public schools; providing federal financial assistance to state and local governments, especially for welfare and medical costs; and extending federal collective bargaining laws and pension protections to public employees.  read more »

In this debate moderated by John Merrow, Al Shanker and the NEA's Terry Herndon discuss a number of topics. The differences between the two organizations are dissected including the AFT's affiliation with the AFL-CIO and NEA's desire to remain separate from other labor groups; the NEA's use of racial quotas in its administration; and the use of secret ballots in the two organizations. Next, the two leaders discuss membership campaigns in New York, California, and Florida, where the NEA and AFT were competing for members.  read more »

This transcript is from an interview conducted for Change Magazine. John Ryor was president of the NEA and Dr. Osborne was director of collective bargaining for the AAUP. The interview was conducted by the editor in chief of Change Magazine, G. W. Bonham. The interview covers all aspects of collective bargaining and unionism in higher education and the political power of the three teacher unions.