AFT Delegates Gathered in Seattle for Convention
Although Seattle may be best known for its coffee, Space Needle and often gray skies, last week it was buzzing with a different kind of activity as more than 3,000 people from across the country gathered in the Emerald City, July 7-11, for the 81st AFT convention. Meeting under the theme "Building Futures Together," the convention promised to provide AFT members with a forum to vote on major policy resolutions and to celebrate the union's growth and the outstanding work members do every day.
The theme was woven throughout the convention as delegates heard presentations on topics ranging from organizing and working with the community to political action and strengthening the institutions where AFT members work. They also debated resolutions covering issues such as teacher evaluation, staffing in higher education, healthcare reform, child labor, common core standards and community schools. In addition to president Weingarten, main speakers included Juan Andrade Jr., president of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute; Microsoft founder Bill Gates; NAACP president Ben Jealous; and AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka.
Convention Overview
July 10, 2010
On Saturday morning, AFT President Randi Weingarten spoke at the IFT breakfast.
Weingarten spoke passionately about the challenges facing union members and
expressed an appreciation for the IFT and all that our members do.
She also took a question from a CTU member about the decision to ask Bill Gates to
speak to the convention. She defended the decision saying we must engage those who we disagree with.
Carol Caref, a member of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Local 1,
spoke out on a resolution about charter schools.
Adria Mitchell, a CTU delegate who is attending her first AFT convention,
also spoke about the resolution on charter schools.
Convention Overview
July 9, 2010
At the IFT breakfast on Friday morning delegates were joined by guests from around the world who are
attending the AFT convention. The international visitors sat at various tables with the delegates so everyone
had a chance to interact. Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary of Education International, told IFT members,
“Education International is the voice of teachers and the education sector at all major international agencies.
We must make it clear to governments around the planet that investment in people through education and
training is the key to a stable recovery for the future economy.”
After breakfast, IFT members headed over to the convention hall where they had a chance to celebrate the
news that AFT has grown to 1.5 million members. Delegates then began the work of debating changes to the
AFT constitution and other resolutions.
An IFT member who is a charter school teacher in Chicago addressed the delegation and thanked the IFT
for its help in giving charter school teachers a voice.
IFT President Ed Geppert also discussed an amendment.
Convention Overview
July 8, 2010
IFT members who are delegates to the AFT convention started off their day at an IFT informational breakfast.
IFT President Ed Geppert spoke to delegates about the convention and upcoming issues. AFT Secretary-Treasurer
Antonia Cortese and AFT Executive Vice President Loretta Johnson both extended greetings to our delegation and
talked about the important work that IFT members do.
IFT locals that won awards in the AFT Communicators Network competition were recognized.
At the convention hall, AFT President Randi Weingarten presented her keynote speech.
To see more photos from the 2010 convention visit IFT on flickr.
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