American Federation Of Teachers
knowledge is POWER!!!!!
History on the American Federation of Teachers
Working Conditions:
How many members in the union today?
There are 1.6 million members in more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide
What is the purpose of this union? What does it do for it's members?
Who is leading the AFT?
has launched major efforts to place real education reform high on the nation’s and her union’s agendas.
Recent events or activities involving the union:
What is the AFT symbol and what does it represent?
They LEARN...
So One Day...
Interview:
Q: What are your thoughts on unions?
A: I dislike the idea of unions. I believe labor is meant to be a service that a worker
provides to an employer and the employer pays for the service based on its value. Unions force employers to pay more for labor than it is actually worth.
Q: How do you become part of a union?
A: The first step to joining a union is to locate your individual union and contact it for union facts and guidance on organizing.
Q: Why were labor unions formed?
A: Labor unions were form to make sure the working public has people to defend them from corporations that put them in an unfavorable situation.
Q: What would you change?
A: I would change going on vacation anytime of the year, not just during the Summer time.
Q: What do you think are advantages to being part of a union?
A: Without the power and leverage that a union brings to the table, the worker as an individual has no power to fight for rights. With the workers brought together in a collective force, they have much more bargaining power to stave off greedy corporations.
Q: What is a con for being a union member?
A: I feel like unions can stop an employee from growing professionally. I’m only talking about my experience in an office environment. May not be the case in every organization.
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Name of person interviewed: Jose Rodriguez, Engineer
Q: What are your thoughts on unions?
A: My thought on unions is that they charge too much dues. But you have to pay the dues if you want to be part of a union.
Q: How do you become part of a union?
A: Get in touch with a union organizer.
Q: Why were labor unions formed?
A: Unions are put in place to protect workers, give them fair wages, and make the workplace safer.
Q: What would you change?
A: I would change their high fees to lower fees.
Q: What is a con for being a union member?
A: A con for being a union member is paying high fees to be in the union.
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Name of person interviewed: Luis Rosario, Fire Safety Director
Q: What are your thoughts on Unions?
A: Unions serve a purpose as they have a lot of good things like Safety and education of
the workers. I am grateful to the UNION for being there for me and helping me work to obtain a good pension and get many great benefits.
Q: How do you become part of a union?
A: You become part of a union by working for an employer who has a contract with a union.
Q: Why were unions formed?
A: Unions were created in an effort to protect the working population from abuses such as sweatshops and unsafe working conditions.
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Summary: I learned that being part of a union could be beneficial to an employer. A union can protect an employer by helping them receive fair wages and a safer work place.