AFT

It's Friday, and this week's stories highlight the educators, school staff and union members helping students discover new opportunities, build important skills and feel supported in school and beyond.

Check out this week's stories → go.aft.org/proud

“We’re in the middle of an industrial revolution that’s bigger than the dot[.]com revolution, and the world is not prepared for it,” Randi Weingarten told The 74. “And our country’s leaders have a laissez-faire attitude about it. So I feel a huge responsibility to try and get it right.”

Weingarten: Kids’ Attention Crisis Demands Widespread Curbs on AI and Tech AFT president calls for AI, screen limits but stops short of proposing a ‘Chromebook bonfire.’

🎙️NEW: In a new episode of Union Talk, AFT President Randi Weingarten is live from the National Press Club in Washington, DC to unveil AFT’s devices-down, eyes-up, hands-on strategy for teaching and learning, focused on 10 points that address the wave of tech in schools. Listen here ⤵️
aft.org/uniontalk

As we celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, we also contend with the reality of a democracy in decline. Civic education is crucial for all students to learn to fight for their rights and take on their responsibilities so that we may keep our republic. In the Summer 2026 issue of American Educator, learn how civic programs empower students to solve problems in their communities and how educators can help students grapple with big ideas that bring civic learning to life.

Also in this issue: AFT President Randi Weingarten outlines a plan for boosting student learning in the AI era; educators and researchers show how to support reading and math instruction and student well-being; and AFT-Wisconsin president Jon Shelton shares how his union members are fighting for their voices to be heard.

🔗: aft.org/ae/summer2026

The recent campaign to save SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn is part of a much longer struggle for its healthcare workers to be treated fairly. United University Professions member Anthony Holder shares how the fight continues in Spring 2026 AFT Health Care ⤵️

Fired Up and Ready to Fight This most recent fight to save Downstate has been part of a much longer struggle for my colleagues and me to be treated fairly—and I know struggle. I’m from Trinidad, and before I came to the United States I worked for a company called Metal Box Trinidad Limited and was a member of the Oilfields...

Congress is preparing to take up a reconciliation bill that gives ICE and CBP an additional $70 billion with no real transparency, accountability, or a commitment to safety.

Take action and tell lawmakers no more unrestricted money for ICE and CBP ⤵️

Tell Congress to reject $70 billion more for ICE violence. Put working people first. Update

43% of young Americans say they're struggling financially. We should be rewarding the future generation for investing in their education, not punishing them with student loan debt they can never escape 📈.

The good news? Options exist to reduce, dispute, and manage debt, and you don’t have to figure it out alone 🫂.

Join us tomorrow (6/4) to hear from experts on what steps you need to take to successfully tackle student debt. We’re here to help🦸 Register now ➡️https://go.aft.org/AFTAffordabilityClinic

Debt Clinic Selection - AFT Affordability Clinics

✏️ He has a track record of fighting for public education
🏳️‍🌈 He gets results for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers
✊ He's gone up up against NY's biggest companies and won.

New Yorkers are with Alex Bores. Watch and share the video below to spread the word!

New Yorkers are with Alex Bores Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.