Hello,

Just a quick note to say thank you. At our union’s biennial convention in Houston last month—a convening of the highest governing body of our union—we were humbled by your faith in us in re-electing Fed, Evelyn and me to another term. We promise to work as hard as we can for you, your families and our communities.

The convention, which included thousands of delegates elected by you from across the country, focused on real solutions for our members and those we serve. Despite everything that’s been thrown at us, from anti-union laws to hostile courts, the AFT continues to grow, and we are now 1.8 million-members strong, the largest we’ve ever been. Our successes are a reminder that, when we keep marching, keep organizing and keep fighting, together we can achieve a brighter future. 

Over the next two years we will have steep hills to climb. We’re taking on MOHELA, the student loan servicer that has made our members’ lives miserable. We’re fighting for guardrails in the use of artificial intelligence and a voice in AI policy. We’re pushing for a PSRP Bill of Rights, safe staffing for healthcare workers, and funding for higher education. We’re working to stop radical voucher bills that defund K-12 education. And we’re doing all this while working to defend our democracy; protect our freedoms; fight for appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions; and save Medicare and Social Security.

We tackled these issues at our convention through resolutions, reports and working groups, because as a union we’re committed to working together for real solutions for a better life—including electing allies to public office. That’s why the convention delegates voted to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States. And not only did she speak at our convention, but she selected one of our members—Tim Walz, a teacher and governor of Minnesota—as her running mate. That's why tonight we're having a special membership town hall with former AFT and Education Minnesota member Gwen Walz—wife of Gov. Tim Walz—to discuss this election. RSVP here. 

We know it’s tough and costs are still too high, so we are doing all this with only a modest dues increase: no increase this year and 25 cents per month next year. 

We did more at our convention than can fit in one email, but I wanted to make sure you saw some of these highlights below. 

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Americans, particularly America’s young people. I’m honored to be the president of this union. Let’s keep marching together!

In unity,

Randi Weingarten

AFT President

On the final day of the AFT convention, delegates reelected Randi Weingarten as president, Fedrick C. Ingram as secretary-treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as executive vice president. Additionally, 43 vice presidents were elected to the union’s executive council.

Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris chose the AFT as the first union to address since announcing her candidacy, calling the work our members do, “The most noble of work.” And the feeling is mutual. The AFT was the first union to endorse Harris, and delegates and their families flocked the convention hall in Houston to hear Harris fearlessly challenge Trump and extremists, vowing to fight for our fundamental freedoms and a future of opportunity for all. As one delegate said, “It’s a whole new energy.”

The AFT’s 2024 convention opened in Houston with a warm welcome from Texas AFT President Zeph Capo, Texas U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Colin Allred, and labor legend Dolores Huerta. Introducing AFT President Randi Weingarten, three AFT activists spoke movingly about what their union’s support under her leadership has meant to them. Weingarten laid out an expansive vision for an America where “hate has no harbor” and celebrated AFT membership topping 1.8 million. Showing that progress is possible by describing dozens of union accomplishments, Weingarten urged members to do their utmost to get out the vote.

The AFT filed a groundbreaking consumer protection lawsuit against the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri, known as MOHELA, the giant student loan servicing company under fire for mismanaging student loan accounts for millions of people. The AFT is represented by the Student Borrower Protection Center, the National Consumer Law Center and Selendy Gay PLLC.

• AFT votes to endorse Kamala Harris for president
• Higher Education division members go behind the scenes of Real Solutions campaigns
• Delegates pass PSRP Bill of Rights with standing ovation
• Code Red is a real solution for healthcare workers
• AI dominates Public Employees divisional meeting
• Plugging students into their passion with CTE
• AFT retirees are leading the charge to save workers’ pensions
• Read all stories from convention

The AFT passes resolutions on a wide range of issues that affect members in our different membership constituencies and that address other national and international issues of importance to the union and to our vision for the country. Most are passed at the union's biennial convention, but the AFT executive council also adopts resolutions.

• Resolution Thanking President Biden For His Leadership And Lifetime Of Fighting For Working Families
• In Support of Our Profession, Our Public Schools, Our Students
• Reaffirming The AFT's Commitment To Organizing
• Championing Healthy School Meals for All: A Real Solution for Hungry Students
• Fighting The Harmful Impacts Of Private Equity On Out Economy, Public Pension Funds And Healthcare System
• Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President
• For An End To The War In Gaza And Lasting Peace, Security And Self-Determination For Israel And Palestine
• Read or search all AFT Resolutions

Get more information on the AFT convention on our website, including videos and photo galleries.

Randi Weingarten, President
Fredrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer
Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President

© AFT, AFL-CIO. All rights reserved. Photographs and illustrations, as well as text, cannot be used without permissions from the AFT. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Contact Us | 555 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001