UHP sent 23 delegates to Pittsburgh for the AFT Convention, July 12-16.
Here are some other highlights:
Pride of the Union 2018 awards
The AFT Pride of the Union awards have for decades recognized local affiliates that make significant strides in membership growth. This year, the AFT has added a new category—"recommits"—honoring locals that already have obtained pledges from 100 percent of members to renew their commitment to membership. Other awardees qualify by posting net membership increases of at least 100 members, or 25 percent, in one of the past two years. The program also honors affiliates with membership levels of at least 90 percent. "We are here because we are 24/7 fighting, caring and showing up," AFT President Randi Weingarten told the winners Thursday afternoon. "And for that I want to say thank you."
Weingarten lays out a pathway for hope in the darkness
AFT President Randi Weingarten addressed a full convention hall Friday, outlining the fight the union has before it and, more importantly, urging members to find "hope in the darkness" at a crucial juncture for American democracy and Americans' aspirations for a better life. Convention participants followed closely, demonstrating enthusiastic and loud support with standing ovations—for the stories about how AFT members are sticking with their unions in huge numbers, and for the way our collective voice is so much stronger together. They also demonstrated strong support for better immigration policies that are pro-Dreamer, pro-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and against migrant family separation.
Our hero and champion, Hillary Clinton
Every two years, the AFT presents the Women's Rights Award to a woman whose vision and courage have raised the game for other women. This year's recipient, Hillary Clinton, is a role model for women in politics, in the workplace and in society as she strives to make our democracy equitable for everyone. "Hillary Clinton has worked not only to make democracy a more equal place for all people," said AFT President Randi Weingarten in presenting the award, "but she has worked so that when the roll call of history is taken, there is no doubt that she will stand tall."
Sen. Warren lauds union fight, vows support
Calling AFT members the "strongest, hardest working, most dedicated people in this country," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told the crowd of convention-goers Saturday afternoon that she is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and with AFT leadership, in the fight for unions, public workers and justice, and against corporate greed and inequity. She recognized the many battles ahead, but said she has hope because people are rising up, and will continue to rise up, to fight, to vote and to save democracy.
Lions of labor, fighting together
Four powerful labor leaders on one stage. That was the treat for AFT activists on Saturday morning. Together with AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia and SEIU President Mary Kay Henry provided fiery inspiration for activists to keep caring, fighting and showing up.
An AFT army marches for school funding
With AFT President Randi Weingarten in the lead, nearly a thousand convention delegates, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers members, parents, students and community allies took to the streets for the March for Equitable Funding of Public Schools. Weingarten said rallying for school funding "is about showing that we walk the walk for our kids. They are our future, and they will be our salvation." At stops along the route, the crowd heard from speakers who included all three of the AFT's national officers, as well as allies from community and national organizations who are defending public education and school safety. "We're here to stand up for students and staff. Corporations need to be held accountable for their fair share of taxes," Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson said. Pointing out that school funding still lags behind pre-recession levels in half the states, Weingarten urged marchers to "fight for fair, appropriate and fully funded public education."
A revolution is sweeping the country, Sanders tells delegates
"There is a political revolution sweeping across this country," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told convention delegates on Sunday. "Ideas once considered fringe or radical—like healthcare as a right through Medicare for All, and tuition-free college—are now mainstream ideas adopted by the vast majority of Americans, and we are seeing candidates running off of those ideas and winning elections." Delegates heard from Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) and Randy Bryce, two unconventional politicians hoping to make a difference by focusing on the issues that concern working people.
Top AFT officers are re-elected
