If we want to build power for school employees in Texas and win the respect we deserve, we need as many of the 656,000 school employees in this state standing with us as possible. The key to unlocking that power? It’s you.
In our most recent membership survey, 57% of Texas AFT members said they joined our union because of a recommendation from a friend, family member, or colleague. In this back-to-school season, you can move our campaign for respect forward by sharing your union experience with your co-workers!
If you’re looking for some conversation starters, here are some helpful numbers to remember when talking about the benefits of being an AFT member:
$8.1 billion of student debt erased by the federal government for more than 145,000 borrowers with changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program — spurred by a lawsuit brought by American Federation of Teachers members
$8 million in occupational liability insurance to protect against lawsuits relating to the scope of your duties as a school employee, among other workplace protections
$1.5 million in back pay for school employees in Socorro ISD recovered in 2022 by Socorro AFT’s fight against an unfair COVID leave policy — just one example of the power of solidarity
400,000+ lesson plans and teaching resources curated from fellow educators through Share My Lesson, free to AFT members
66,000 members in both K-12 and higher ed (and retirees) standing and fighting for a better Texas — and standing alongside 1.7 million AFT members and 12.5 million AFL-CIO members in the fight for a stronger, more equitable United States
21 wins for wage increases and stipends in school districts and community colleges in 2022, spurred by Texas AFT local unions and organizing committees — including an historic 11% raise for Houston teachers
0 administrators represented by Texas AFT because being in the same union as your boss is a conflict of interest
That’s just a brief look at the benefits of joining our union — and our campaign for respect. Can you share your experience as a member with three of your colleagues and encourage them to join this back-to-school season?