Fedrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the AFT's role in civil rights, challenges in public education and the importance of organizing.
The AFT has a long history of supporting civil rights, dating back to its involvement in Brown v. Board of Education. Ingram highlighted the union's commitment to diversity, pointing out the Federation kicked out Local Unions in the 1950s and 1960s that refused to integrate. This principled stance, while impacting the AFT's membership in the South, showcases the organization's dedication to equality. According to Ingram, the AFT continues to champion diversity, representing a membership that reflects America's demographics across various sectors, including education and public services.
Public education faces significant challenges, particularly in states like Florida where Ingram previously served as president of the Florida Education Association. He recounted his experiences opposing policies implemented by Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Ron DeSantis, including merit pay schemes and attempts to weaken public sector unions. Despite these obstacles, Ingram emphasized the resilience of educators and union members in fighting back against harmful policies. He stressed the importance of preserving public education and resisting efforts to increase the use of vouchers, which hurt public school systems and could lead to inequitable access to quality education.
Ingram emphasized the critical role of organizing in strengthening unions and protecting workers' rights. He called organizing a key strategy for addressing workplace issues and building union power for workers. Ingram highlighted the importance of focusing on kitchen table issues that resonate with workers, such as fair treatment, decent pay and retirement security. He believes addressing these fundamental concerns, unions can attract new members and build solidarity across diverse workforces.
Listen to the episode above to hear more from Ingram about the AFT's ongoing efforts to protect public education and strengthen the labor movement.