Solidarity forever.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was founded in Chicago; John Dewey and Margaret Haley were among the founders.
About 60 percent of AFT's membership works directly in education, with the remainder of the union's members composed of paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff, and nurses and other healthcare professionals.
The AFT has, since its founding, affiliated with trade union federations; until 1955 the American Federation of Labor, and now the AFL–CIO.
Chartered in 1937, Local #1 of the AFT is the Chicago Teachers Union -- I joined it back in 1974. It formed in the late 1800's as the Chicago Teachers Federation, than played a founding role in the AFT. It was the largest and most active AFT local until the 1960s.The CTU won collective bargaining rights in 1966 and conducted several strikes during the 1970s and 1980s. I participated in every strike.
In September 2012, the union began its first strike in 25 years. I'd retired but was on the picket lines in Hyde Park and La Salle Street, directing our "chop the top" signs at Mayor Rahm as much as to his Bd. of Ed.
In 1981 (before computers), I researched and wrote a three-part series for Substance, the teachers' paper, on our pension's funds being invested in companies doing business in South Africa, listing names, amounts invested, totals, etc. (getting that info was not like on the Internet, believe me).
The short version is that citywide, teachers were enraged and demanded we disinvest. I, my ANC friend, and his father ( long time teacher at Phillips High School Academy) appeared before the pension board's investment group, and made our case. In two months, the news hit that the pension had divested $12 million, which in today's dollars is near $35 million. It was a BFD -- not just the money, but because Mandela was still on Robbin Island and we were in the fight to release him and end corporate minority white rule in SA.
Overall, 40 years later, I feel that my pension (teachers with pensions don't get Social Security in Illinois) is now less tainted. (Doesn't mean they don't invest in hedge funds, tho'. )
Solidarity forever.
Elizabeth Warren addresses the 2022 AFT Convention -- start 25:20
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