John,
In a year where our democracy appears to be fraying, marked by a president who was impeached for abusing his power, we also see another powerful story being written—that when our movement joins with our communities, we can help better the lives of working families.
In other words, we can achieve together what would be impossible alone.
Across the country, you have shown what we can accomplish when we organize and stand together.
From the legislative victories in Massachusetts to the Capitol, to the strikes in Los Angeles to Chicago, we have fought all year to fund our future, for the schools our students need, and for the respect educators deserve. And strikes were not the only strategy to win significant change: Rutgers AAUP-AFT and the Professional Staff Congress negotiated landmark contracts that focused on diversity and a living wage for adjuncts, as did nurses at Ohio State University and in the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, who got strong contract language on safe staffing. And speaking of healthcare, the House passed the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which would require hospitals to take preventive measures to keep healthcare employees safe.
Without struggle, there is no progress, and this year has been no exception. Fighting the state takeover of public schools in Houston; midyear layoffs of teachers in Rochester, N.Y.; recalcitrant bosses in Columbus, Ohio, Providence, R.I., and Decatur, Ill.—these battles are all still waging. But I’m so hopeful that with our strategies and solidarity, we’ll win these fights.
A decade ago, the education trifecta we faced was recession-based austerity, federally mandated high-stakes testing, and state takeovers and replacing schools with charters and vouchers. Politicians were more likely to listen to privatizers than teachers about education policy, budgets for public schools and services were cut to the bone, and educators were fired. Over this decade, we got rid of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, and with it, the federal policy making high-stakes testing, rather than students, the focus. How things have changed as we go into 2020. While Betsy DeVos is the most anti-public-school education secretary ever, our recent education forum made clear that the leading Democratic candidates for president have a far different perspective.
Elections matter. Just this week, Congress increased funding for Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and historically black colleges and universities. The House has passed bills to lower drug prices, restore the Voting Rights Act, and fund our future. And we’ve sued the education secretary in Weingarten v. DeVos because of her continuing efforts to undermine public service loan forgiveness.
Last year, we lost the Janus case in the Supreme Court, and anti-union forces predicted our demise. The opposite is true; we are stronger together in our fights for a better life and a voice at work and in our democracy for educators, healthcare professionals, public employees, and school and university staff.
We live in turbulent times: economic inequality, existential threats to our democracy, and dangerous ethnic and racial divisions. Our opponents aren’t going away, but never forget that we are the change agents, the movement builders, the dreamers and the fighters for a better life, a better world and the soul of America.
Next year will be full of new fights, including a presidential election.
But right now, I want to express my gratitude to you. On behalf of Lorretta, Evelyn and me, thank you for caring, for making a difference in others’ lives, and for being an AFT member.
Together, we will win a better life and a better future for all.
And if you have a minute, here’s an end-of-year video I am sharing to celebrate. Please share it on social media if you are so inclined.
Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
Only the best,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President
