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Issue Explainer

Workers' Rights

Educators and all public-service employees deserve the right to negotiate over pay, benefits, and working conditions. Currently, they lack a federal law that would guarantee these protections.
NEA Members rally Red For Ed at the RA
Published: February 24, 2025

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act (PSFNA) would provide public sector workers the right to join a labor union and to bargain collectively for fair wages, workplace safety and access to healthcare and retirement security.

Educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions; good working conditions for educators promote student learning and engagement. When educators come together to negotiate a fair contract with their employers, they can set limits on class size and address health and safety issues. 

The National Education Association, and our labor union partners, continue to fight to improve the working conditions and lives of our members. 

Bills in Congress

Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools

  • Support

    HR 5123 Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act www.congress.gov

    Introduced on September 3, 2025

    This bipartisan legislation would protect public health from poor indoor air quality (IAQ). In particular, the legislation would establish an updated nation-wide assessment of indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities to improve IAQ conditions.

  • Support

    S 2335 Pensions for All Act www.congress.gov

    Introduced on July 17, 2025

    This bill would require corporations to either provide workers with a traditional retirement plan equivalent to or better than the one provided to new members of Congress under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or pay enough contributions into FERS to enable all of their workers to receive the same amount of retirement benefits as Members of Congress.

  • Support

    S 2298 Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act www.congress.gov

    Introduced on July 16, 2025

    This bill would implement federal enforceable workplace heat stress protections to protect the safety and health of indoor and outdoor workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace.

Letters & Testimony

NEA speaks up for the rights of students. Browse recent messages to Congressional leadership, and add your voice.

Tameka Mays
“I always try to encourage people to get involved in the union. It’s not only about making change for yourself and your students; it’s also about being part of the education community.”
Jocelyn

Professional Pay

Competitive pay is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified educators for our students, throughout their academic journeys.
Image of Eloy Delgado

Health Benefits & Policy

NEA strongly supports access to quality, affordable, and comprehensive health care coverage for all residents of the United States.
woman collaborating online

Pensions & Retirement Security

Pensions are crucial to attracting and retaining qualified, experienced educators in the profession. And that's worth fighting for.
Teacher and paraeducator team

Job & Career Security

No matter their age, from Pre-K to higher ed, our students benefit when all educators—janitorial staff, paraeducators, and college professors alike—are treated like the professionals they are.
Teacher with elementary school students

Advocating for Change

NEA helps build collective action for competitive pay, health benefits, and retirement security so we can attract and retain the best educators for our students.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.

Are you an affiliate?

Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Educators collaborating around a table

Collaborating for Student Success

Successful collaboration requires commitment. The Collaborating for Student Success guidebook includes a comprehensive framework for successful collaboration, grounded in research and on-the-ground practice, as well as a number of tools to support you in your own collaboration efforts.
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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.