American Federation of Teachers

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a renowned union representing professionals in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and government. Established in 1916, AFT currently boasts a membership of 1.72 million individuals across more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and encompasses five divisions: pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, higher education faculty and professional staff, federal, state, and local government employees, and nurses and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, the AFT supports approximately 80,000 early childhood educators and nearly 250,000 retiree members.

The AFT is steered by elected officers, including President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick C. Ingram, and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, along with a 43-member executive council. Notably, the AFT boasts a rich history of influential members, including Albert Einstein and Nobel Peace Prize winners. The AFT is committed to advocating for fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, and high-quality public education, healthcare, and public services.