AFT Concludes Convention with Re-election of Leadership and Key Resolutions

National Teachers Union Marks Historic Convention with High Membership and Key Elections

WASHINGTON—The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), boasting a membership of 1.875 million, concluded its 89th biennial convention today. In a decisive vote, delegates re-elected President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram, and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus to continue leading the union for another two years.

Over four days, the convention gathered more than 3,000 delegates who engaged in vigorous discussions across six sessions. They addressed critical challenges like public education reform, immigrant community protection, public health restoration, artificial intelligence preparedness, and the student debt crisis. Numerous breakout sessions also explored topics such as rural issues, faith, international solidarity, and more.

AFT President Randi Weingarten emphasized the convention's theme, stating, “Our convention theme was ‘fighting for a better life for all.’ That’s not a mere slogan—it’s the promise and potential to be together, to work together, to bargain together, to protest together, to vote together, to act together to bring about change—real, lasting, life-improving change for every person in America.”

The event featured several notable speakers, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and others from political and labor spheres. Former American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Lee Saunders and labor leader Dolores Huerta were recognized with the AFT’s Bayard Rustin Human Rights Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively. Additionally, a motion supporting the unionization of Delta flight attendants was unanimously passed following a speech by Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson.

During the convention, delegates actively participated in the onsite Activist Hub, signing over 1,000 “Free D.C.” postcards addressed to state governors, urging them to withdraw their National Guard deployments from the District of Columbia.

Weingarten, a former social studies and civics teacher in Brooklyn, was re-elected to her 10th term. Ingram and DeJesus, continuing their roles as high school band director and early childhood educator respectively, secured their sixth terms. The convention also saw the election of 43 vice presidents nationwide.

AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram remarked, “There is only one way we all win and that is working together to push back against the forces that are so eager to tear us apart. That is why I have made union work my life’s work and why I remain committed and ready to serve this union as an officer. It is a distinct honor to work with the best this country has to offer, in order to ensure everyone has a real shot at success, happiness and security.”

AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus highlighted the significance of her re-election, stating, “As the onslaught of ICE attacks against Latino communities continues, today I stand prouder than ever to be the first Latina officer elected and re-elected six times to serve the 1.875 million members of this powerful union. We must look out for, show up and protect one another, because only together can we make a better life for all. Sigamos luchando por la democracia, la libertad y una vida mejor para todos.”

Weingarten further added, “Our delegates and committees tackled the issues keeping families up at night, from the affordability crisis, to defending immigrant communities, to the reassurance that AI won’t take our members’ jobs, to the protection of democracy as a whole. To create an America where everyone has the education, economy and opportunity to build a good life; an America where everyone’s dignity and rights are respected; an America whose democracy not only endures but finally lives up to its noble ideals, will take all of us—standing together.”

For more convention highlights, click HERE. All adopted resolutions are available HERE.

The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

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