Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Today Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this day from which a national day of pride is growing. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19.
Check out this resource page for Juneteenth lesson plans and other curriculum.
Teaching Juneteenth
Honoring Black History
AFT endorses Joe Biden and Kamala Harris 2024
Our union, the AFT, along with the AFL-CIO and dozens of other unions, has endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Democratic primary. The entire labor movement is joining together in an unprecedented show of strength and support to harness the collective power of working people determined to move this country in the direction of freedom, justice, and opportunity for all.
AFT President Randi Weingarten described Biden and Harris as the most pro-labor, pro-public education leaders in modern history, stating, “They know union membership can be transformative.”
Read Randi's full statement here
ArtCenter faculty, Dolores Huerta, Lorena Gonzalez, Tony Thurmond to call on college to bargain for a fair contract June 22nd
CFT leaders, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, labor icon Dolores Huerta, and California Labor Federation Executive Secretary Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez will stand with Pasadena ArtCenter faculty to call on college management to bargain for a fair contract on June 22, 2023. Please see event details and registration below.
Faculty members published a letter drawing out issues of job security, fair wages, and transparent evaluations.
“Historically, management has undervalued and opted not to invest in our faculty. The result is not only frustrated professors, but isolated students, who aren’t getting what they expect and deserve from the college. Talented educators are being pushed out of the college and more of them are on the verge of leaving. This puts the well-earned reputation of the entire college at risk. It’s time for things to change.”
When: Thursday June 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Where: 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena
Register here to attend.
In solidarity
Unite Here Local 11 members across Los Angeles voted to
authorize a strike with a 96% margin. The authorization vote comes after a month of failed negotiations with employers. Workers' demands include an immediate $5 an hour wage increase, affordable healthcare for workers and their families, a pension program, and humane workloads.
Librarians at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio have won their union. The new union will include more than 30 librarians. Read AFT’s full statement here.
The Insider Union, which represents over 250 reporters, editors, video producers, copyeditors, and all other members of Insider’s US editorial staff reached a tentative agreement after a 13 day strike. The agreement includes a $65,000 minimum salary, $400,000 in healthcare cost reimbursements and other job protections.
