Union members understand the value of community.  One of the most fundamental reasons people join and participate in unions is because they know that whether it's at work, at home, or in our communities, we are all stronger - and happier - when we work together to make our lives better.  The members of AFT local 3497, the McFarland Federation of Teachers, put those values into action on March 17 by helping to provide a meal to McFarland residents through Shared Table.

Shared Table is a McFarland nonprofit organization that facilitates 50 community meals each year, open to all members of the

AFT-Wisconsin is proud to announce that it has endorsed Russ Feingold in his campaign for the US Senate.  President Kim Kohlhaas sent the following letter to Mr. Feingold to announce the endorsement:

Dear Mr. Feingold,

It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board and our thousands of members across the state of Wisconsin, offer our full support to your campaign and endorse you in your bid for the US Senate.

The values of your campaign reflect the values of the members of AFT-Wisconsin and the values of working Wisconsinites.  We share your commitment to high

Faculty, staff, graduate employees, and students from across the University of Wisconsin System gathered on Friday, February 5, to rally in defense of tenure, quality education, and academic freedom before the Board of Regents gathered to review draft policies on faculty tenure.  These policies, which have drawn concern from AFT-Wisconsin and AAUP higher education leaders, have the potential to undermine basic principles of academic freedom that allow faculty to teach and perform research in pursuit of truth, free from political interference.

Despite the freezing temperatures, energy at the

As members of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents gathered to consider new tenure policies for the UW System, AFT-Wisconsin and the American Association of University Professors issued the following joint statement (PDF):

Since 2011, the governor and the legislature of the state of Wisconsin have been engaged in an attack on the University of Wisconsin System as a public good that exists for the benefit of all citizens of the state. This vision of higher education has shaped the UW System since the formulation of the Wisconsin Idea in 1904. The attack began with the assault on

AFT-Wisconsin has a long tradition of offering educational scholarships to support dependents of members in good standing who wish to pursue a career in labor, education, health care or government service.  Currently, AFT-Wisconsin offers one $1,000 university scholarship and one $500 technical college scholarship. The application period for 2015-2016 scholarships is now open; applications are due to AFT-Wisconsin by March 15, 2016, and winners will be notified by May 1, 2016.  Please note: Letters of recommendation addressed to entities other than AFT-Wisconsin will not be considered.

Eligibil

The status of the University of Wisconsin System as one of the world's premier public university systems is under threat.  As the UW System Board of Regents contemplates the end of meaningful academic freedom, AFT-Wisconsin members around the UW System - academic staff, faculty, graduate employees, university staff - are mobilizing to defend the quality of public higher education in Wisconsin.  Take a stand for UW System students - sign the petition today!

Photo: Phil Roeder, used under a Creative Commons license.