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Columbus Picket

Solidarity Summer Toolkit

When we lift up one worker, we lift up us all.
We believe that solidarity is a verb. As educators of all races and from all places, we have the power to push policies that improve our public schools, challenge oppressive systems, and create a more equitable and inclusive society. When we speak together, our voices are too loud to ignore.

How to Show Your Solidarity

  • The National Education Association is the largest labor union in the country—when we unite and speak truth to power, we can and have made an enormous impact in our communities.
  • Use this toolkit to share your #SolidaritySummer message. Let's embrace this season of action, amplify our impact, and shape a brighter future for our members and the labor movement. 

Stay informed with what's going on...

Through solidarity with the shared struggle of workers across our nation can we build a more just nation for our students, our families, and ourselves.
uaw share

UAW Ready to Strike the Big 3

More than 150,000 United Auto Workers are negotiating a new contract with the three largest vehicle manufacturers in North America.
Read More
sag strike sign

Hollywood Is on Strike Against High-Tech Exploitation

As both writers and actors are on the picket lines in Hollywood, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Learn More
Parents, Kids, and Educators on strike in front of school

U.S. Approval of Labor Unions at Highest Point Since 1965

71% of Americans now approve of labor unions.
Learn More

WGA/SAG-AFTRA Update

We've had a lot of questions about how to support WGA/SAG-AFTRA members on strike; here's Adam Conover to explain how you can help:

Donate to the Entertainment Community Fund

Ways to get involved:

There are multiple unions currently on strike, in the middle of contract battles, or attempting to form a union that you could use your support. Check out these resources if you're looking to share your solidarity with these workers.
WGA

The Writer's Guild of America

Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation.
Stand with WGA WGA Social Solidarity Toolkit
SAGAFTRA

SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA members are on strike because the studios and streamers are unwilling to offer a fair deal.
Solidarity with SAG-AFTRA SAG-AFTRA Social Toollkit
SB Toolkit

Starbucks Workers United

Learn how NEA is helping Starbucks Workers United push for fair wages and respectful working conditions. Together, we can make change happen!
SB Workers United Toolkit Sign the petition
UAW

United Auto Workers

Contracts for 150,000 UAW autoworkers at the Big Three expire on September 14. Let them know you have their back against greedy CEOs.
Sign their petition Learn more about their fight
strike map

Find a Picket Line!

Working people want safe jobs with good health care, flexibility, sick leave, and where they feel respected and valued. Check out the AFLCIO's map to see where workers are on strike across the country.
Explore More

Why Solidarity Matters

The actions of union members and their communities across this country have been nothing short of inspiring—and NEA is there every step of the way!

THINGS TO REMEMBER!

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Educators are Workers

We work hard every day to improve the lives of our students. We stand united as workers so that our students, their families, and our communities have the protections, rights, and resources they deserve, and that they need to thrive.

With nearly three million members, we are the largest labor union in the country. Our greatest strength is each other. We are part of a proud history of workers coming together to improve their working conditions and the lives of their communities. 

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Solidarity Forever

We believe that solidarity is a verb. As educators of all races and from all places, we have the power to push policies that improve our public schools, challenge oppressive systems, and create a more equitable and inclusive society. When we speak together, our voices are too loud to ignore. 

Only through solidarity with the shared struggle of workers across our nation can NEA reassert what a union member looks like in the effort to build a more just nation for our students, our families, and ourselves. 

Interested in donating to strike and hardship funds for AFL-CIO sanctioned strikes can help keep workers in the fight.

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (Nationwide; Writers' Guild, SAG-AFTRA)

SAG Foundation Emergency Assistance Fund

  • Provides emergency assistance for SAG-AFTRA members.

The Entertainment Community

  • Provides emergency assistance for all workers impacted by film and motion picture shutdowns, regardless of union affiliation. Note: Earmark your donation to go to emergency assistance for film and television workers.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette (Pennsylvania; The NewsGuild, CWA, Teamsters)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike Unity Fund

  • Provides strike assistance to journalists, typos, and other union workers on strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Hotel Association of Los Angeles (Southern California; UNITE HERE)

UNITE Here Local 11 Strike Mutual Aid Fund

  • Provides strike assistance for hotel workers on strike in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Wabtec (Pennsylvania; UE)

UE Local 618 Strike Fund

  • Provides strike assistance to UE Local 618 and 506 workers on strike in Erie County.

Three Brothers Coffee (Tennessee; UFCW)

Coffee Workers of the South Strike Fund

  • Provides strike assistance to Three Brothers Coffee workers on strike for a first contract in Tennessee.

University of Michigan (Michigan; AFT)

Grad Workers Strike Fund (GEO AFT-Michigan Local 3550)

  • Provides strike assistance to graduate employees on strike at University of Michigan.

Medieval Times (California; AGMA)

Medieval Times Performers United Strike Fund

  • Provides strike assistance to Medieval Times performers on strike in Southern California.

International Flavors and Fragrance (Tennessee; BCTGM)

BCTGM Local 390G Strike Fund

  • Provides strike assistance to IFF workers on strike in Tennessee.
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From the Beginning

NEA is a union. Throughout our organization’s history, our members have organized for the right to be legally protected at work, for example, educators in Virginia recently won the power to collectively bargain for the schools they and their students deserve: better classrooms, salaries, and planning time. 

Learn more about NEA's Labor History!

Buy Union for Back-to-School

Buying school supplies? Shop union-made items for school and get an A+ in supporting fair wages, quality products, and building a brighter future for all!
Union School Supplies
Union School Supplies

Union School Supplies
Union School Supplies

Union School Supplies
Union School Supplies

History of the National Education Association and the U.S. Labor Movement

This history of America is the story of the workers who built it. The labor movement has inspired more than the immediate interests surrounding someone’s job—it recognizes that no matter where we’re from or what we look like our society is more just and fair when workers have a voice in the decisions that impact them, their families, and their communities.

Learn More about NEA's Labor History!

3 million members strong!

Only Getting Stronger

The vast majority of Americans approve of labor unions and the labor movement is only going to grow in numbers and in power. This summer more Americans will likely take part in labor action since 2019. We've also seen first-ever unions formed at REI, Trader Joe’s, Kickstarter, and Medieval Times.

71%

Data from Gallup's annual Work and Education survey
of Americans now approve of labor unions

75%

Data from Gallup's annual Work and Education survey
of workers ages 18 to 24 would vote to join a union.

77%

Data from Gallup's annual Work and Education survey
of Americans 18 to 34 approve of unions.  
Becky rallying at the strike
"Our unions give us the collective voice we need to speak truth to power, to demand justice, to fight inequity, and to defend our democracy."
Quote by: Becky Pringle, NEA President

6 Labor Terms to Know

The NEA stands in solidarity with all workers in the fight to build a more equitable nation for our students, our families, our communities, and ourselves. Swipe to learn six must-know labor terms and tap our bio link for more info on how to get involved.

More Union-based Terms to Know!

Join Our Movement

We ask only what is right: equal opportunity for every student, every educator, every family. At home, in school, online, in Washington–there’s a right place for all of us to make a difference.
two teachers talking in an empty classroom

Talk About Your Union

With more members, we can have an even stronger voice to raise wages, improve working conditions, and create the schools our students deserve. Learn how to communicate about union membership and the meaningful changes won by educators in your area and across the country.
National Education Association

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.
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