News

AFT-Wisconsin Higher Education Council Issues Statement on the Anti-Democratic UW System President Search

The AFT-WIsconsin Higher Education Council has unanimously adopted a statement on the UW System President search. It reads, in part:

Our unions stand for inclusion, equal access, and democracy. We call on the UW Board of Regents to reject Jim Johnsen as a candidate for UW System President and to declare a failed search. We also call on the UW Board of Regents to restart the search process using a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students in all parts of the formal searching, screening, and nominating processes, with particular attention to ensure that candidates are committed to upholding

AFT-Wisconsin has sent a "Safe Return to Campus" platform to the WTCS Board, identifying best practices for campuses planning to reopen. Created over the course of a month by AFT-Wisconsin and Wisconsin Education Association Council member leaders, this joint document focuses on how we can deliver effective and equitable educational services, keep students and staff healthy, and create safe environments for all staff and students.

AFT-Wisconsin and WEAC are pressing administrators throughout the WTCS to use the Safe Return to Campus platform to discuss and plan for safety with faculty and

AFT-Wisconsin hosted a candid conversation about the state of the UW System and how faculty, staff, and students are dealing with these uncertain times. Featuring Governor Tony Evers, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), state Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), and Regent Karen Walsh, the meeting shared strategies for how we ensure a future UW that prioritizes the needs of students, security for faculty and staff, and the Wisconsin Idea.

Interested in learning more? Please reach out to AFTW VP of Higher Education Jon Shelton at jonshelton24@gmail.com.

Randi Weingarten and NYC teacher Tamara Simpson

Attacks on public education in America by extremists and culture-war peddling politicians have reached new heights (“lows” may be more apt), but they are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended not just to undermine public education but to destroy it.

AFT-Wisconsin Endorses the Campaign to “Vote No" on the Ballot Initiative to Remove the Office of the State Treasurer

Madison, WI – The AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board has endorsed the campaign to “Vote No” on the removal of the Office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer.

“I would encourage you to Vote NO on eliminating the position of State Treasurer,” said Dawn Totzke, a School Library Media Specialist in Chippewa Falls and member of AFT Local 1907. “Save the funding that supports your school libraries. And keep our financial watchdog over our state finances!”

Why does this matter to public education? Should this amendment pass in April, Wisconsin’s Common School Fund and University Fund will be at risk by giving

Walker Administration Prioritizes Armed Guards Over Mental Health Services in School Safety Plan

Shortly following a DPI proposal on school safety and a Democrat-introduced school safety bill, Governor Walker has announced a special session to consider $100 million dollars for school safety proposals. However, unlike proposals from the DPI that call for long-term solutions aimed at school safety improvements and mental health support for students, Governor Walker’s plan militarizes the school environment.

“Armed guards and airport like security do not create comfortable learning environments,” said Kim Kohlhaas, AFT-Wisconsin President and former educator from Superior, Wisconsin. “After

UW-Superior Administration Knowingly Ignored Shared Governance Procedures in Program Suspensions and Warnings

Superior, WI – The University of Wisconsin Superior AFT Local #6514 has released emails, gained through an open records request, that give a detailed picture of UWS administration’s actions before and after the surprise suspensions of 24 programs on October 31, 2017. These actions set off a series of contentious forums, student protests, and formal expressions of disapproval by various stakeholders that continue to this day.

“We asked for this publicly-available information to investigate the possibility of filing a legal challenge,” said Deb Augsburger, UWS Local 6514 President. “Though we

Emails Obtained by UW Superior AFT Local #6514

Listed below are the emails obtained by UWS AFT Local #6514 via open records request filed on November 14, 2017.

An addendum to reading the emails can be found here.

Emails and Documents:

UW-System President Ray Cross: Courting Republican Lawmakers is More Important than Students, Faculty, and Staff

Madison, WI – Faculty, students, and staff across the UW System are reacting to the recent news that the largest UW System reorganization in 40 years was an “open secret” at the Capitol. According to a report from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), “Before faculty, staff and students learned about the plan to eliminate the two-year UW Colleges and UW-Extension, UW System President Ray Cross had discussed it with a lawmaker who called for similar action in 2015.” In a clear disregard for shared governance or the concerns of the UW community, President Cross spent weeks courting Republican

PROGRAMMING CUTS AT UW-SUPERIOR ARE THE LATEST IN A STRING OF ATTACKS ON THE UW SYSTEM.

Superior, WI – On Halloween, faculty, staff, and students at the University of Wisconsin in Superior were blindsided by the administration’s blanket announcement to suspend nine majors, fifteen minors, and one masters program. Fifteen additional programs were put on “warning” for suspension. These program suspensions are the latest in a string of brazen attacks on public higher education in Wisconsin, and have sparked student protests and an online petition that has garnered more than 5,300 signatures.

In a series of forums and a public announcement, the UW-Superior administration justified