AFT-West Virginia would like to clarify the misleading and out of context remark made by Governor Justice in his press conference today about school reopening. We have been working with officials at the WVDE on a consistent basis throughout this pandemic. We have shared our re-entry guidance documents and safety checklists with the WVDE to help ensure we have input into the re-entry process.
WASHINGTON—The 1.7-million member American Federation of Teachers announced the results of its biennial officer elections on September 1st, with delegates to the union’s convention (held virtually in July) voting overwhelmingly to re-elect President Randi Weingarten, elect Fedrick Ingram as secretary-treasurer and elect Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus to her first full term.
Delegates to the convention also elected AFT-West Virginia President Fred Albert as an AFT Vice-President.
AFT-WV has been alerted to concerns some members have regarding one of the resolutions passed during the 2020 AFT National Convention last week. We want to take the opportunity to clarify some points for those members with concerns.
First and foremost, it is important to remember that AFT-WV and our local affiliates are independent and autonomous as per our constitution and bylaws. There are occasions where the viewpoint of the national organization is different from that of AFT-WV, and this is such an instance.
*A message from AFT-WV President Fred Albert*
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People across the United States are eager to return to some semblance of “normal.” To do so, we must meet a herculean challenge: remaking our society and the places in our lives we hold dear—public schools and colleges, places of worship, workplaces, restaurants and more—in ways that hold paramount our ultimate priorities: the safety and well-being of our children, families and communities; the safety of our members and every frontline worker; and the health of our economy and economic well-being of working families.
"Do Your Job OSHA” campaign calls on the agency to protect employees on frontlines of COVID-19 pandemic
AFT-WV has become aware of some county school systems attempting to require employees to report daily to the buildings, when these same employees have not been required to do so during this crisis. The guidance from the WVDE has not changed, and the Governor’s stay-at-home order has not been lifted. Educators are still directed to work from home and provide instruction remotely to students.