Show AFT Exists for Teachers by Tamara Mullins ul ins Journalism f Kjartan T. T Magnusson economics instructor is a member of the AFT American Federation of Teachers The AFT is an or organization organization ani- ani of educators fr from m Americas America's schools colleges and universities said Magnusson 0 There are approximately educators in inthe the AFT The AFT represents ten times as many college educators as the NEA and four times as many college educators as all other 0 higher education organizations combined The AFT exists to promote collective bargaining bargaining bargaining bar bar- gaining for teachers and other education t workers to secure adequate funding for school programs to promote academic freedom and professional autonomy and to promote improved improved improved im im- im- im proved teaching-learning teaching opportunities in pursuit pursuit pursuit pur pur- suit of academic excellence We want to be beable able to talk said Magnus- Magnus son Once negotiations are in progress each side presents the other with a list of proposals Collective bargaining is a way two street Neither side may monopolize the discussion there is mutual give and take Collective bargaining bargaining bargaining bar bar- gaining does not change rules and regulations which are prescribed in the school laws of the state The proposals are discussed and negotiated negotiated negotiated until until mutual eventually mutual agreements have been reached Magnusson continued collective bargaining bargain bargain- ing provides thousands of American teacher teachers with a real voice in the solving of the problems facing all levels of education in this country Collective bargaining makes first-class first citizenship citizenship citizenship citi citi- a reality for these teachers He concluded from kindergarten to graduate ate school the teachers are the experts They understand the problems of education Every Everyday Everyday Everyday day they meet the challenges of educating American students Working with their elected Federation representatives they are able to bring professional expertise to the bargaining table |