News

Solidarity with teachers and students in the Waukesha School District

UWGB-United Hosts Back to School event for new faculty

UWGB-United hosted their first Back to School event for faculty and staff, where new hires could ask candid questions they may have been hesitant to raise at the official university orientation. Members shared their knowledge regarding having tough conversations in the classroom, why they are a proud union member, and much more!

AFT and 400+ other organizations urge President Biden and Vice President Harris to cancel federal student debt

Over 415 organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, have signed a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, calling on them to use executive authority to cancel federal student debt. The full text of the letter can be found below. A PDF of the letter (as sent on April 13) can be found here. You can find the press release here.

AFT-Wisconsin locals and other nonprofit organizations are also encouraged to sign in support! Click here to sign.

April 13, 2021

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Was

AFT-W to State Legislature: Support Transgender Students

President Kim Kohlhaas has sent letters to the state legislative committees considering legislation that would prevent transgender students from fully participating in sports aligned with their identity: "These bills won’t make sports safer or fairer for any student—they would only stigmatize and exclude a group of students who already face high levels of discrimination... Wisconsin’s teachers, faculty, and staff oppose any bill that hurts transgender youth from passing out of the legislature." You can read the (identical) letters in full here:

AFT-Wisconsin Expresses Concern Over Bill Eliminating Restrictions on Curricular Planning between the UW and Technical College Systems

This letter was sent to every Democratic member of the state legisatlure.

AFT-W to Wisconsin Congressional Reps: Support Federal Relief for Pandemic!

In collaboration with our in-state partners, AFT-W has sent two letters to Wisconsin’s congressional representatives urging them to vote for federal relief and recovery efforts. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan would deliver much-needed relief to families, provide support for struggling state and local governments, jumpstart a nationwide vaccination program, and rebuild our communities.

See the February 3, 2021 letter to Wisconsin's congressional delegation here.

See the February 4, 2021 letter to Senator Ron Johnson here.

AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board Statement on Fair Maps

On January 27, 2021, AFT-Wisconsin's Executive Board ratified the following statement:

AFT-W President Kim Kohlhaas Statement, January 6 2021

Justice for Jacob Blake. #BLM

Laurie tells us, "I was contacted by [AFT-W Political Director] John Yaggi to see if I was interested in working with an organization that was distributing Biden/Harris signs in rural communities. I connected with John Russell from ruralvote.org and agreed to do my part in this election by receiving and distributing 2000 yard signs. After much communication and connections with several people in Wisconsin, my husband, our labrador Rosie, and I drove in a couple directions and handed over signs to people who had other people to deliver them to. I met some others who share my priorities for this

With Progress North, AFT-Wisconsin will be hosting a virtual Get Out the Vote (GOTV) event for Reps. Beth Meyers and Nick Milroy on Saturday, October 24! All members are welcome -- we'll have introductions and training at 11:30am, lunch and social time -- with State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski! -- at noon, and then get to making calls and texts.