AFT Connecticut

Building long-term power to make lasting gains! Our latest collective bargaining wins report features a victory secured through sustained, grassroots #union member engagement: aftct.org/2026/01/30/m... #UnionYES @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @aflcio.org @ctaflcio.bsky.social

The second theme of our 2026 Virtual Conference is on the power of core subjects! Register for free to join any of these sessions live or later on demand: sharemylesson.com/community/vc...

The AFT's Debt Navigator Tool helps members manage rising costs and the burden of debt. This interactive tool offers clear, practical info tailored to you—whether dealing with debt, understanding consumer or patient rights or navigating a financial setback.

Check it out⤵️
www.aft.org/debt-navigator

Rocking My Daughter to Sleep During Women’s History Month A mother reflects on rocking her daughter to sleep during Women’s History Month and why it matters that girls see themselves in the stories we teach. This blog explores the origins of Women’s History ...

In a new Women’s History Month blog post, Megan Ortmeyer reflects on why it matters that girls see themselves in the stories we teach, and identifies classroom resources to help educators highlight women's contributions. Check it out ⤵️
sharemylesson.com/blog/my-daug...

From Mandatory Reporting to Mandated Support: Understanding Educator Power to Transform Family Crisis Response Educators hold five distinct forms of power when interacting with struggling families: professional authority, daily access to children, documentation power, community trust, and system privilege. But...

In two weeks, March 24, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. eastern join @sharemylesson.bsky.social to hear Miesha Parker explain her personal experience with educators' power as mandatory reporters + how to powerfully support family well-being. bit.ly/3MWXcVW

This is what solidarity looks like.

@psc-cuny.org stands shoulder to shoulder with St. John’s University in their fight to maintain faculty union representation and collective bargaining rights on campus.

Missed the live webinar? Watch it on demand! 🎥

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History and how educators can bring these stories into the classroom.

Watch here: https://sharemylesson.com/webinars/black-jewish-america-history-henry-louis-gates-jr

Contact your U.S. Rep & ask them to join the FY27 appropriations request letters in support of increased funding for the NEA & NEH. The more reps who sign the letters, the better our chances of increased funding to support jobs for union creative professionals. actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

We stand with the players | WNBPA

The @wnba.com has seen historic growth in recent years. NONE of that would have been possible without the skills and talent of WNBPA players.

It’s time for Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to agree to a fair contract. Solidarity with the players!

A title graphic for this week's Labor Notes Podcast episode: "Organizing is an antidote to Despair."

Labor Notes Pod: The antidote to despair, even now, is organizing. From autoworkers in Chattanooga winning their first contract to the trolleybus operators in Mexico City preparing to go on strike, there are pockets of labor everywhere building momentum
labornotespodcast.podbean.com/e/three-reas...

As union density declines in many countries around the 🌏, workers are getting creative with their efforts to organize. One way they're winning: lawyers. @ilawnetwork.bsky.social outlines how lawyers can support unions in the new issue of the Global Labor Rights Reporter ➡️ sclinks.co/4rphNAz

New Report Finds States Have Deprived Schools of Hundreds of Billions of Dollars Since 2016 WASHINGTON—Forty-two states devote a smaller share of their economies to their K-12 public schools than they did 20 years ago.

New Shanker Institute report finds 42 states devote less to K-12 schools than 20 yrs ago.

"Why would the opponents of public ed be on this campaign to divert taxpayer funds meant for public schools to vouchers and other privatization efforts?" — @rweingarten.bsky.social
www.aft.org/press-releas...

“We only have the rights that we fight for,” Feder told Truthout. “You can have a right on paper, but unless you’re actually willing to defend it, unless you’re willing to challenge attacks on your rights, then what good are those rights?”

City manager proposes $2.3M increase for Meriden Public Schools as district seeks more state funding Meriden City Manager Brian Daniels recommended a $2.3 million increase for the Board of Education for fiscal 2027.

“In Meriden, we’ve been tasked with doing more with less for quite some time.” #FixTheFormula @aftteach.bsky.social

Blocking concessions & making gains; yesterday our #EastCONNTeachers' negotiating cmte gathered for official signing of their 3-yr successor #union contract to #RaiseTheWage, boost stipends & reward #EduPD certifications. #UnionYES @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @aflcio.org @ctaflcio.bsky.social

#LaborFuture. @aft.org @afthealthcare.bsky.social @aflcio.org @ctaflcio.bsky.social @ctforall.bsky.social

Happening now: #union leaders join #CTGeneralAssembly leadership in urging labor cmte adopt proposal to expand #UIForStrikingWorkers, #LevelThePlayingField for #RNs & #HospitalStaff provoked by employers to #strike. @aft.org @afthealthcare.bsky.social @aaup.org @aflcio.org @ctaflcio.bsky.social

Happening now: #union leaders urge #CTGeneralAssembly labor cmte lawmakers support guardrails to ensure #WorkingFamilies, communities aren’t exploited by #AI. #LaborFuture @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @afthealthcare.bsky.social @aflcio.org @ctaflcio.bsky.social @ctforall.bsky.social

The Fight to Defend Pro-Palestine Speech on Campus Isn’t Over Targeted for pro-Palestine speech, these academics are refusing to back down.

“You have this confluence of this right-wing attack machine that had been focusing on #HigherEd for two decades that now is able to move away from the language of race and gender and also weaponize accusations of antisemitism.” #DefendHigherEd @aaup.org @isaackamola.bsky.social

#ICEOut. @aft.org @afthighered.bsky.social @aaup.org @csuaaup.bsky.social @ctforall.bsky.social

Happening now: #union activists join @ctforall.bsky.social advocates to urge #CTGeneralAssembly jud cmte lawmakers embrace #StandUpCT initiatives aimed at shielding communities’ protected areas from federal overreach. #ICEOut @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @afthighered.bsky.social @aaup.org

REGISTER for this webinar from @reimagining.bsky.social to help students analyze immigration headlines, question bias and build empathy. March 26, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT Register: https://sharemylesson.com/webinars/media-literacy-migration @sarakahmed.bsky.social @aft.org @texasaft.org

What hospitals don’t want you to know: You can negotiate your bill. 🤫- AFT is fighting for a world where you don’t go broke getting well. Learn how to advocate for yourself and your family at aft.org/affordability

🤖 What is really happening with AI in education right now?

Join @kellycbooz.bsky.social & @sari.bsky.social for the closing keynote with Rebecca Winthrop of Brookings

🗓 March 26
⏰ 6 PM ET

Register: https://sharemylesson.com/webinars/keynote-ai-education-prosper-prepare-protect @aftct.bsky.social

There is a flyer depicting information about an upcoming event titled "How to Build a College" Experimental Alternatives in the History of Higher Education" on Monday March 16, 4pm ET. The Bluesky post says: "Join this important webinar, "How to Build a College: Experimental Alternatives in the History of Higher Education," co-organized by the AAUP's Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom. March 16, 4pm ET on Zoom. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DegUmA-CR2aAKFhhJ2gjsA#/registration"

Join this important webinar, "How to Build a College: Experimental Alternatives in the History of Higher Education," co-organized by the AAUP's Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom.

March 16, 4pm ET on Zoom.

Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Congrats to the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions and @mnaflcio.org, this year's awardees of our George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award.

Our Belarusian and Minnesotan siblings are a reminder of how the labor movement defends democracy. https://bit.ly/4d8T4g7

Good morning 🌞
Happy International Women’s Day

Imagine a world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge gender equality.

Check out Steve Kerr demanding academic freedom and an end to Trump's attempts to ideologically control our campuses! ❤️

CT high school students argue for increase in ECS funding formula Students from across CT urged lawmakers to act on two bills that would increase the Education Cost Sharing grant formula that funds schools.

Students shouldn't have to beg their states to fund their schools. Lawmakers must invest in public education so that kids have everything they need to learn. @aftct.bsky.social ctmirror.org/2026/03/04/c...

Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr is standing up for campus freedom. He's joined coaches including Doc Rivers, Jim Boeheim, Muffet McGraw, and more in signing a letter calling on elected offic... Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr is standing up for campus freedom. He's joined coaches including Doc Rivers, Jim Boeheim, Muffet McGraw, and more in signing a letter calling on elected officials to ...

@goldenstatewarrior.bsky.social's Coach Steve Kerr is standing up for campus freedom!

Coaches across the nation launched a letter campaign calling on elected officials to keep political interference out of our colleges and universities.

We can't have college sports without academic freedom.