The+American++Federation+of+Teachers

Submitted by Amanda (Sec.13 Group #1)
 * Mover Name:** The American Federation of Teachers


 * Basic Work:** The AFT is a union organization set up to improve the lives of all of it's members. The organization works to strengthen institutitions, provide services, and to bring it's members together to support and help one another.


 * Key Work:** The AFT is divided into five divisions; the teachers, the paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, the local, state and federal employees, the higher education faculty and staff, and the nurses and other healthcare professionals. These five divisions work together to advocate several public education policies. These policies include high academic standards for students, a more professional atmosphere for teachers and school staff, excellence in public services by using cooperative problem-solving, and high quality healthcare for all of it's members.


 * Key Personnel:** Edward J McElroy, the President of the AFT, Nat LaCour, the Secretary-Treasurer, Antonioa Cortese, the executive vice president, and also a group of 39 members who make up the executive council.


 * Why/How a Mover?** The AFT has become the second largest education labor union in the United States. This is because the AFT strives to organize workers from all different fields, not just those involved in k-12 public education. In the past, the AFT has also helped in the progression of equal rights for minorities. The AFT was one of the first American unions to allow full membership to all minorities. They also pushed for equality for African Americans in all aspects of education, such as equal pay, election of African Americans to school boards, and equal educational opportunities for African American children. The AFT strives to promote democracy, human rights and freedom in both their own organization as well as in our nation and the rest of the world.

http://www.aft.org/about/index.htm**
 * Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Federation_of_Teachers