NEA-AFT Unity Good for All Would Create Bigger, Stronger National Union
Why is the proposed merger of the NEA and American Federation of Teachers
gaining momentum? Because it is such a natural union of two powerful organizations
with very similar needs and goals, proponents say.
“In a new, united organization, we can stop wasting time and energy
and pool our resources to help our kids, our schools, and our country,”
said NEA President Bob Chase. “Collective, focused action can bring
real improvements to our schools.”
Following are some of the key reasons so many people are urging NEA and
AFT delegates to vote for the Principles of Unity at their conventions
this summer:
- By working together, educators throughout the nation can most effectively
combat forces hostile to public education.
- By uniting, we send the message that every child’s future is
every American’s business, whether that American lives in inner-city
poverty or suburban security.
- Uniting with AFT is about children and the future. Children have the
most to gain from NEA-AFT unity, and helping children is why the vast
majority of NEA members went into education in the first place.
- Ever since the early 1960s, competition between NEA and AFT has diverted
attention – and resources – away from serving children. Over
the course of this sometimes bitter and always costly rivalry, NEA has
expended tens of millions of dollars in representational battles with
AFT – $52 million from 1973 to 1992 alone. In this same period,
state affiliate expenditures on the competition with AFT totaled an
estimated $60 million.
- With unity would come, once and for all, the end to this waste of
resources and a giant step toward making every dues dollar count for
schools and students.
- Joining NEA and AFT together will produce economies of scale that
will enable services to be enhanced, thereby increasing efficiency.
- Membership of the new united organization in the AFL-CIO creates more
opportunities for coalition-building and influence in the political
arena. The 72 unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO have 13 million members.
(The AFL-CIO has affiliates, not individual members.) The AFL-CIO provides
many services to affiliated unions, ranging from research assistance
on complex pension fund issues to in-depth training for organizers in
special institutes and programs. But the AFL-CIO’s most important
value is the coordination – and potential for leadership –
it offers to all affiliated unions. By highlighting emerging threats
and opportunities, by helping affiliated unions target resources to
battles where victories would be most significant, by helping affiliates
share information and inspiration, the AFL-CIO can and does help the
labor movement become more than the sum of its parts. As the largest
single affiliate within the AFL-CIO, the United Organization would,
of course, play a key role in defining priorities for the labor movement
the AFL-CIO represents.
- The increased diversity of membership in the United Organization will
increase the organization’s influence and support.
The WEAC Representative Assembly in April went on record in support of
the Principles of Unity that could lead to a merger of the NEA and the
American Federation of Teachers.
The vote followed a brief floor discussion in which members expressed
both the concerns and opportunities they see in unity.
The vote in favor of the motion was overwhelming, but some of the concerns
expressed included the possibility that the new organization would have
more members who are not education employees, the possibility of added
expense, the potential of reduced influence for smaller local associations,
and the length of terms for leaders of the new organization.
Proponents of unity addressed each concern. For example, they said, the
overwhelming majority of members would continue to be education employees
and that would remain the dominant focus, there is no indication that
merging the two organizations would result in any increased cost, and
smaller locals would retain their influence.
In addition, proponents said, the new organization would be bigger, stronger
and more influential; the organizations would be more effective working
as one rather than sometimes in conflict with each other; the diversity
of membership would add strength to the organization; there would be greater
solidarity with other unions; and members united in the new organization
could have more impact on election day.
Earlier in April, the WEAC Board also went on record in favor of the
Principles of Unity.
On May 2, the NEA Board also went on record in support of the Principles
of Unity.
In each case, the votes were only advisory to NEA delegates. The final
decisions will be made this summer by delegates from throughout the nation
at the NEA and AFT Conventions.
Posted June 11, 1998