AFT-Speeches

Al Shanker and three professors discuss the state of the labor movement and its future in light of the recent AFL-CIO election which brought John Sweeney and Richard Trumka to the presidency and secretaryship respectively. The men discuss whether labor is truly in decline, citing a difference between public and private sector and whether the new AFL-CIO administration will really offer the changes it ran on during its campaign.

In this speech, Al Shanker addresses various polls of parents concerned with the state of education. The polls cite students who disrupt class and the failure to teach basic skills like reading and arithmetic before passing students to the next grade as primary concerns. Shanker says that teacher polls yield the same results. He points to education boards and superintendents as the only people in the chain who do not see these problems. Shanker calls on the audience to lobby that alternative schools be established for disruptive students.  read more »

In this speech, Feldman recognizes the United University Professions of the State University of New York, for celebrating their 25th anniversary. She also congratulates them on their recent contract negotiations. She also discusses the future of public universities, faculty tenure, and the unpreparedness of incoming college freshman. She challenges the union members to step up and get involved.

In this speech at the 1998 annual meeting of the American Association of University Professors, Feldman addresses the possible merger of the AFT and the NEA, threats to higher education and K-16 collaborations.

In this speech at the 1998 AFT Convention, Feldman addresses the issue of education being fundamental to civil rights, to human rights, and to women's rights. Feldman also addresses the issue of vouchers being called a "civil right" by politicians.