Tucson, AZ – On March 4, more than 50 K-12 educators and union members rallied outside the federal building to protest the Trump administration’s plans to destroy the federal Department of Education. The National Day of Action – “Protect our Kids” – was supported by the American Federal of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) and targeted March 4 to reject the confirmation of Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon.

 The national unions and their locals vowed to defend immigrant and LGBTQ students from the Trump administration’s reactionary attacks. Destroying the Department of Education would also gut funding to support students with disabilities and limit protections offered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

 Local affiliates of NEA from Tucson, Sunnyside, Flowing Wells, Amphi and Marana school districts united with teachers at BASIS Tucson North, Arizona’s first unionized charter school. A Latino and indigenous-led community organization, LUCHA, joined the rally to make it clear that Arizonan educators are willing to fight back against education cuts, privatization and profiteering so that every student gets the education they deserve.

 Speakers at the rally emphasized the need to fight back at both the state and the federal level.

 Jim Byrne, president of the Tucson Education Association, reminded the crowd that “during Trump’s first term, West Virginia, then Oklahoma, and then Arizona saw historic educator strikes that pushed the needle toward more funding to schools. We did it before and we can do it again!”

 American Federation of Teachers Local 8002 Vice President Duncan Sohn Hasman shared the sentiment, saying, “Charter school teachers at this particular moment have found ourselves a new voice and a new way to fight back. We are ready to fight, we are ready to work with our public co-educators within Arizona to make sure that we are ready to fight back.”

#TucsonAZ #AZ #Labor #Education #Techers #AFT #NEA #McMahon #Trump

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, March 14 (Pi Day), the part-time bargaining unit of the American Federation of Teachers Local 212, which represents the part-time faculty of the Milwaukee Area Technical College, held a rally demanding their piece of the pie.

Over the years, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) has bought into the general trend in higher education institutions across the U.S. of increased reliance on part-time and adjunct faculty to teach the bulk of courses. Like other industries, part-time workers in higher education institutions have limited access to benefits and receive less pay for their labor. While colleges and universities make record profits, the workers receive lower and lower compensation.

At MATC, part-time faculty earn lower pay relative to industry standards, lack course-assignment security, aren’t compensated for last minute assignment cancellations, face difficulties accessing healthcare and the pension, aren’t paid for attending onboarding sessions or departmental meetings, and receive a pay reduction for summer courses.

On top of these issues, MATC part-time workers were denouncing the college’s lack of compensation for part-time workers participating in non-student contact days, days when classes are canceled and workers participate in workshops or departmental meetings.

Speaking in solidarity with the workers of MATC, Pam Fendt, president of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, stated, “When this action was raised at our delegates meeting earlier this month, we asked our union siblings in attendance if they believe in working for no pay, and it was a resounding no!”

Prior to Thursday, the rally had garnered much attention across the college, and administrators clearly took notice. On Monday, administrators released a message to all part-time faculty earlier this week that they could be compensated for participation in this year’s MATC Day, which is similar to a non-student contact day. This is a win that was secured through the power of an organized union. The rally continued as planned because even though the part-time faculty secured this win, the struggle for their share of the pie continues!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Labor #AFT #AFT212 #MATC #MALC #PartTime #Faculty