Report submitted by Doug Unger, UNLV-NFA, Chair of the NFA Government Affairs Committee

What’s in a big union convention? Plenty – especially this year, when The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) met in rainy, steamy Houston, TX, this past July 22nd-25th. The AAUP (the NFA’s national organization) affiliated with the AFT two years ago. In so doing, the NFA gained the supporting power of this 1.8 Million strong union of K-12 teachers, healthcare workers (including nurses), and more than 300,000 Higher Education faculty and professionals. We gained solidarity and a voice with the AFL-CIO and the 120 + unions it represents in the Nevada Labor Coalition, one of the most influential political forces in our state.

There’s power in numbers. When the AFT speaks, politicians must listen. Under the leadership of AFT’s President, Randi Weingarten (reelected in Houston for her 16th & 17th years of service), the AFT passed resolutions and set policies to guide advocacy along thirteen action pathways, among which are: Educational Issues, Healthcare Access/Quality, Human Rights, Women’s Rights, International Relations, Labor and the Economy, Organizing and Collective Bargaining, and more, including Higher Education. Amid the buzz and noise of milling factions, more than 3,000 elected delegates and representatives contributed, argued, hashed out language, then came together in floor session after floor session in an energized body to vote to set these new policies. Relevant to Higher Education nationally and to our NFA, the following resolutions were presented, and passed:

Resolution #16 – Real Solutions for Higher Education – general resolutions to fight back against national attacks on Higher Education; to advocate for funding for Higher Ed; and to work against the trend to hire untenured or adjunct positions to replace tenured faculty at colleges and universities (the resolution lays a groundwork for fighting back).

Resolution #18 – In Support of Affirmative Action And Equal Opportunity In Response To The June 2023 Supreme Court Ban on the Use of Affirmative Action in College Admissions – a resolution to keep supporting Affirmative Action initiatives for Higher Ed admissions.

Resolution #19 – AFT Policy Toward Dual Credit – a resolution to set and enforce standards for credentials of instructors for dual credit courses as well as students who attend these courses; the general policy document that lays out desired requirements for dual credit courses. (Many of our NFA members have pushed for a similar policy in Nevada, and methinks this resolution can serve a template for future NSHE and state advocacy).

Note: a 4th Resolution #17 – a Neurodiversity Initiative – to recommend policies for improved recognition, support and inclusion of neuro-diverse students, will remain in drafting stages for the AFT Executive Committee then resubmitted to the Higher Education Committee.

Among other noteworthy AFT resolutions that passed: Fighting The Harmful Impacts Of Private Equity On Our Economy, Public Pension Funds And Healthcare System; also Workers’ Rights And Ethical Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare. As well, the AFT passed a resolution to oppose any legislation or executive decisions that would implement the draconian policies of Project 2025. After much loud, contentious disagreement (that the language is not strong enough in support of the Palestinian cause), two resolutions passed that declare AFT positions on the Israel-Gaza war (by what I estimate were about 60-40 “voice” votes): Calling for a Bilateral Cease-Fire in Gaza and Promoting a Two-State Solution and an End to the Weaponization of Hate ; and For An End To The War In Gaza And Lasting Peace, Security And Self-Determination For Israel And Palestine . Agree or not, these resolutions might provide faculty and professionals with some effective language in response to the ongoing tragedy. Noteworthy to our members also should be the AFT resolution to organize for the upcoming elections— Organizing for the 2024 Elections. In my opinion, this commitment is essential for all NFA members to make for the benefit of our collective futures.

Regarding the upcoming elections, I met with AFT political organizer for Nevada, Joe Dennison. We spoke about crucial Assembly and Senate districts where GOTV efforts can help to achieve NFA goals. The AFT is committed to bussing volunteers to Nevada in September (union members mainly from California) to help us walk neighborhoods, knock on doors, and with phone banking. I also met with AFT’s National Director of Political Mobilization, John Ost. Nevada is one of AFT’s priorities. He outlined communications pathways both for reporting and for the NFA to request additional resources.

The AFT is all in for this upcoming election. The convention kicked off with legendary Dolores Huerta of the United Farmworkers reminding us what’s at stake; and toward the close, Shawn Fain, iconic leader of the United Auto Workers, pumped up political engagement. Late on Monday, July 22nd, President Weingarten brought a surprise to the floor: following President Biden’s first announcement that he would drop out of the race, the AFT voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States, the first and biggest union in the nation to do so. Rationale: Kamala Harris best represents the interests of workers in education, healthcare, and public service, and she speaks for the humane values we embrace.

News broke among the delegates of a second surprise late Wednesday—the Vice President would address our AFT convention with her second, most in-depth speech to launch her campaign. Her Thursday morning speech proved her to be clear, sharp with major points, effective in expressing our shared values—here’s a link to this magnificent speech. My favorite moments are when Kamala Harris laughs. It’s a laugh all hers, followed by a smile that’s as refreshing a summer swim after a political season so rife with discord, divisiveness and anxiety (and think about how few politicians show us a genuine, authentic laughter or smile—Trump does not, never has, except to express his cynicism or mocking derision). It just may be that Kamala Harris has a lot to laugh and smile about. And if we get out and do our parts for the November election, we will, too.