A New Partnership
A new labor solidarity partnership agreement between NEA and the 9 million-member AFL-CIO will provide NEA local affiliates with the opportunity to work more closely with local affiliates of other national unions, NEA President Reg Weaver announced in February.
Under the agreement, NEA will remain an independent organization and have no formal relationship with AFL-CIO, but NEA local affiliates will be allowed to become direct local affiliates of AFL-CIO, and, in turn, members of AFL-CIO local central labor councils. Interested NEA locals would apply to NEA, and the application would have to be approved by both NEA and the relevant NEA state affiliate.
Members of AFL-CIO local central labor councils collaborate on common goals, such as increasing parental involvement in schools and protecting employees’ incomes, pensions, and health benefits. Both organizations have noted that students benefit when their parents earn living wages and have health benefits for their children.
“In this political climate, our organizations need to build on our common goals, and advocate together for our members and children,” Weaver said. “Through joint activities, we can better strengthen our communities, strengthen our public schools, and strengthen our organizations.”
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