AFT Utah, AFL-CIO

Democracy in Action

Unions are a Democracy. Delegates from local unions make decisions for the direction of their locals, state federation, and national union.

We Love Public and Higher Ed Employees

Showing support for public school employees at a rally in Davis School District

Promotion of Student Loan Forgiveness

AFT Utah Vice President of Political Action, Rita Heagen, and Representative Sue Duckworth presenting HB 215 Promotion of Student Loan Forgiveness before the House Education Committee. AFT Utah approached Representative Duckworth as a sponsor of this great legislation that passed and informs public employees and teachers at their worksites that they are eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness programs.

AFT Empowering U Campaign

On Monday, October 29, 2018 AFT Utah's Executive Board discussed and approved a unionization and mobilization campaign dubbed AFT Empowering U. This campaign will... Increase employee power at the worksite, empower individuals to share union experiences and information with their colleagues build highly effective AFT locals across Utah. Join the movement today!! https://leadernet.aft.org/webform/aft-empowering-u-organizing-campaign

Student Debt Clinic-November 27

Dear Colleagues:

Millions of people are struggling to make their student loan payments, and see opportunities pass while paying down their debt. Does this sound like you or someone you know?

There are free federal programs that can may reduce their monthly payments and lead to student loan forgiveness, but these lifeline programs are significantly under-enrolled. In an effort to help our colleagues get access to these programs, AFT Utah is proud to host a Student Debt Clinic which will provide information on how to enroll.

My good friend and colleague Kim Kohlhaas, President of AFT-Wisconsin, shared a video with me from a TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement While watching the short 3 minute video I learned a valuable lesson, we need to start a movement in order to build a union.

Starting a Movement

We received a transcript of a meeting at Dixie State University. (Transcript PDF) In this meeting, Doajo Hicks, General Counsel & Chief Diversity Officer of the university, stated, "So, what you have to understand is that tenure gives you, otherwise in the State of Utah, everyone knows this, in the State of Utah every employee is at will. You cannot unionize, because it's against the law." 

Obviously, Mr. Hicks doesn't know or understand national labor law or employee rights in Utah. (Which is surprising considering he is the General Counsel for DSU)

1) It is not illegal to unionize in Utah or in the United States. Every employee has the right to organize a union. 

2) Not every employee in the "State of Utah" is at will. There are several thousand public employees across Utah that have contracts and unions negotiate on their behalf. 

It has long been recognized that Utah Board of Regent's policy prohibits collective bargaining rights in public higher education institutions. That does not prohibit higher education faculty and staff from joining and forming unions. 

Such bullying and intimidation, such as this example, unfortunately has become common in the workplace. This is why employees have formed unions and organized. We are seeing employees get fed up with such treatment as is the case in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Colorado, and now Arizona. Thousands of employees in public education organizing, protesting, and fighting back! The greatest defense we have against unfair labor practices, intimidation at the workplace, and attacks against working families is to organize! Together in solidarity, we collectively have a voice. It's time for higher education faculty and staff to organize and come together. AFT Utah stands ready. Join the cause... join the union. #AFTEmpoweringU

Managing Stress!

The most common complaint that is shared with us concerning the work environment is the amount of stress at the workplace.

Share my lesson is a free resource that is available to all teacher and PSRP's. For teachers, these resources can include free lesson plans, actvities, and videos that are alligned with the Common Core. You can also connect with a community of experienced educators for the sharing of ideas and suggestions. You can also contribute your own ideas and lesson plans to the website for the use of other teachers around the state. For PSRP's, can also receive a variety of ideas and strategies from colleagues around the world.

AFT has created on online website for free lesson plans. All of these lesson plans are downloadable for you to use at your disposal. You can also upload your lesson plans to be vetted by other teachers around the nation.

This tool is extremely helpful and anybody has access to it. According to Digital Marketing Trends in the Education Market 2013, 91% of teachers look online to creat, exchange, and access lesson plans. Sign up for this tool today. https://sharemylesson.com/