Podcasts about teachers aft

On March 20th, President Trump issued an executive order effectively abolishing the Department of Education. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have already filed a lawsuit to block the dismantling, alleging the executive branch has exceeded its constitutional authority and violated law. As the nation watches the flurry of executive orders and legal action unfold on public education, what does this mean for the nation's K-12 and higher education students?rnrnDerek Black is a Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law, the Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law, and directs the Constitutional Law Center. He is one of the nation's foremost experts in education law and policy. He offers expert witness testimony in school funding, voucher, and federal policy litigation and his research is routinely cited in the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.rnrnHe is also the author of a leading education law casebook, Education Law: Equality, Fairness, and Reform, and other books aimed at wider audiences. His 2020 book Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy describes a full-scale assault on public education that threatens not just public education but American democracy itself. His forthcoming book, Dangerous Learning: The South's Long War on Black Literacy outlines the enduring legacy of the nineteenth-century struggle for Black literacy in the American South.

The Dean's List with Host Dean Bowen – While Columbia appears to be getting its act together, others are seemingly upset that Columbia is being asked to shape up or ship out. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT)  union and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) filed a lawsuit accusing federal agencies of violating the First Amendment by “using funding cuts as a cudgel to...

 Which U.S. government department manages federal student loans? The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is suing the Department of Education for halting income-driven repayment (IDR) plans after a court blocked the Biden administration's SAVE plan, affecting over 12 million borrowers. Meanwhile, the DOE announced layoffs of 1,300 employees as the Trump administration considers shifting student loan management to other agencies, raising concerns about disruptions in financial aid and loan services. 

On the radio show this week we discuss the single largest program for maternity care in the United States, Medicaid, and why we're fighting to protect it. Next, we dive into the many ways the Trump administration's “cost-cutting” measures will actually end up costing all of our families and our economy more in the long-run, from decimating the Department of Education and school safety to the terrible tariffs creating trade wars and massive economic instability. We also cover how, disproportionately, a lot of these adverse impacts will be felt by the very people who helped put Trump in office. Learn also how we break through the disinformation and help people see the truth.     SPECIAL GUESTS: Monifa Bandele, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.org; Kelly Booz, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), @AFTunion, @aftunion.bsky.social; Sari Beth Rosenberg, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, @saribethrose, @teachersunify.bsky.social; Jessica Peterson White, Content Bookstore, Main Street Alliance, @mainstreetweets

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst, Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF Ret.). The pair analyzes U.S.-Ukraine relations following Trump-Vance's disastrous White House meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Col. Leighton also outlines the threats to Poland, and the rest of Europe, now that Putin has been emboldened by Trump's favoritism of Russia over Ukraine. They also talk about the latest fighting in Syria since the Assad regime was recently toppled. Then, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), discusses the Trump administration's expected Executive Order to close the Department of Education, whether that move would be legal, and the disastrous fallout that would occur if it were to happen. She also details what actions that she'd recommend to concerned Teachers, parents and citizens in the face of these threats from the Trump administration. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social. Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social.  Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst, Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF Ret.). The pair analyzes U.S.-Ukraine relations following Trump-Vance's disastrous White House meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Col. Leighton also outlines the threats to Poland, and the rest of Europe, now that Putin has been emboldened by Trump's favoritism of Russia over Ukraine. They also talk about the latest fighting in Syria since the Assad regime was recently toppled. Then, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), discusses the Trump administration's expected Executive Order to close the Department of Education, whether that move would be legal, and the disastrous fallout that would occur if it were to happen. She also details what actions that she'd recommend to concerned Teachers, parents and citizens in the face of these threats from the Trump administration. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social. Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social.  Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

Fedrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the AFT's role in civil rights, challenges in public education and the importance of organizing. Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the need for improved rail safety measures, the potential impact of deregulation under Project 2025 and the importance of congressional action to protect federal workers.

**USA Today's Whitewashing of Democrat Hacks: A Distraction from Real Issues**In a recent article, USA Today has been accused of whitewashing Democrat hacks by labeling them as "nonpartisan." This move has sparked controversy, particularly among conservative think tank leaders who are calling for a ban on charities from voter registration efforts. However, this article will delve into a different topic: the influence of super PACs in the 2024 election and the role of teachers unions.**Super PACs and the 2024 Election**Super PACs, or political action committees, have significantly altered the landscape of American politics. Unlike traditional PACs, which have donation limits of $5,000 per individual donor per year, super PACs can accept unlimited donations from corporations and unions. This has led to a situation where deep-pocketed donors like Bill Gates can contribute millions to pro-Harris super PACs without any legal repercussions, while conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza faced jail time for donating above the limit in 2014.**Teachers Unions and Super PACs**Teachers unions, particularly the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have exploited this loophole in the system. In the 2020 election cycle alone, the NEA contributed over $6 million to left-leaning initiatives through super PACs. This includes significant donations to pro-Harris super PACs like Future Forward USA Action, which received $2.5 million from the NEA Advocacy Fund as of October 8, 2024.The NEA and AFT have endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris and have been instrumental in funding campaigns against Republican candidates. This means that right-leaning teachers who pay union dues may inadvertently fund negative campaigns against their preferred Republican candidates.**The Need for Transparency**In the post-Citizens United era, where deep pockets like teachers unions and massive global corporations can spend without limit, it is crucial for citizens to take their civic duties more seriously. The influence of super PACs on our republic cannot be ignored, and transparency is essential to ensure that grassroots support and smaller donors are not drowned out by corporate voices and interests.As we navigate the complexities of the 2024 election, it is imperative to scrutinize the role of super PACs and their impact on our democratic process. By understanding these dynamics, we can work towards a more equitable and transparent system where every citizen's voice is heard

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her multi-city bus tour focused on addressing literacy in schools and what they've done during the tour as part of Banned Books Week. She also talked about a grant the AFT received in partnership with Micron to develop a high school pilot program to provide workforce certifications to students. Merrilee Logue, Director of the National Labor Office (NLO) and Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director at CPWR — the Center for Construction Research and Training — joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work NLO, CPWR and the North America's Building Trades Union's (NABTU) are doing to assist building trades members improve their mental health and the impact of the opioid epidemic on the trades as part of our National Suicide Awareness Month coverage.

In this episode of Put Em On The Couch, titled "Teachers Unite! A Conversation with Jen Mangrum," host Jason McCoy explores the pressing issues facing public education in North Carolina. With teacher vacancies skyrocketing, morale at an all-time low, and funding falling short, the state's education system is in crisis. We'll dive into the challenges—like dwindling teacher pipelines, stagnant pay, and the struggle to secure necessary resources—while also examining the efforts of advocates like Brian Proffit, VP of the NCAE, who are sounding the alarm on these critical issues. We'll also discuss the role of state leaders such as Phil Berger and the implications of the Leandro Ruling on the future of public education in the state. Our special guest, Dr. Jen Mangrum, a veteran educator and newly appointed leader with the American Federation of Teachers (#AFT), joins us to discuss her bold new role in driving reform. Dr. Mangrum will share her insights on the current state of public education, her mission to support educators, and what actions can be taken to improve the system. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions facing North Carolina's public schools and hear from a key figure dedicated to making a difference.   To learn more about the AFT and/or what you can do to support public education, email Jen Mangrum at aft.jennifer@gmail.com or Jason McCoy at putemonthecouch@gmail.com and/or visit the AFT website at aft.org   Keywords & Hashtags: #NCAE #AFT #TeachersUnite #PublicSchools #EducationReform #TeacherSupport #CollectiveBargaining #SchoolChoice #TeacherMorale #NorthCarolinaEducation #RandiWeingarten #EducationCrisis #TeacherVacancies #TeacherPay #EducationAdvocacy #JenMangrum #EducationEquity #RedForEd #TeacherUnion #PublicEducation #PhilBerger #LeandroRuling

On this week's program, we question the effectiveness as well as the economics of US sanctions (Economic Warfare), also the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) endorses the United Auto Workers (UAW) plan of setting all union contracts to expire on May 1, 2028, essentially laying the groundwork for a "General Strike". We also highlight the latest rhetoric from the US Chamber of Commerce's declaration of a "labor shortage" which only masks their desire for government help in procuring more workers without having to offer higher pay and better working conditions to overcome the "phony" labor shortage.  Finally, we Interview Professor Clara Mattei from Rio as Brazil hosts G20 meetings and discuss the protest events calling for an end to the suffering of the people of Gaza. Clara E. Mattei is an Associate Professor in the Economics Department of The New School for Social Research.   The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate   Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and others we produce possible each week. We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the upcoming AFT National Convention and why several Locals from Ohio are going to be well-represented. She also discussed some of the common-sense guidelines from the AFT for implementing AI in the classroom. Michael Shields, Economist from Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a failed signature-gathering campaign to raise Ohio's minimum wage to $15 per hour. He explained why minimum wage workers in Ohio deserve a pay raise.

El Cafecito del Día joins the Fairfax County American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for its books distribution event. Today's labor history: 20,000 block World Bank & IMF in DC Today's labor quote: Andy Stern @LCLAA @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network

El Cafecito del Día joins the Fairfax County American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for its books distribution event. Today's labor history: 20,000 block World Bank & IMF in DC Today's labor quote: Andy Stern @LCLAA @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network

DAVID OSBORNE OF COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION JOINS DAWN LIVE! HE EXPANDS ON THE REPORT CLAIMING THAT GOV SHAPIRO WAS THE LARGEST RECIPIENT OF PUBLIC UNION MONEY IN THE NATION...  Government Unions Spent Over $708 Million on Near-Exclusively Leftist CausesNew research shows public-sector unions have become cash cows to advance progressive politics. Harrisburg, Pa., December 7, 2023 — The four largest public-sector unions—the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)—spent $708.8 million on political activities across the country during the 2021-22 election cycle, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation. The research combines campaign finance data at the state and federal levels with union tax filings to paint a complete picture of public-sector union political activity. The report, titled "The Battle for Worker Freedom: How Government Unions Fund Politics Across the Country," exposes the substantial influence that public-sector union executives have in shaping the national political landscape and advocating for a progressive agenda in red and blue states. Its findings, moreover, challenge the typical union narrative that membership dues are not used for politics. Government union political action committee (PAC) contributions accounted for just 40 percent of political spending, with union membership dues accounting for the remaining 60 percent. In many states, union dues are deducted automatically through taxpayer-funded public payroll systems, raising serious questions about union executives' accountability to membership, who may be unaware of their role in funding executives' political projects. David R. Osborne is the Senior Fellow for Labor Policy with the Commonwealth Foundation. David is an attorney with on-the-ground experience advocating for teachers, firefighters, and other public employees mistreated by union officials. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, David was the CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment, a nonprofit organization that supports, educates, and empowers public employees to exercise their First Amendment rights. He also served as President & General Counsel of the Fairness Center, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm providing free legal representation to those hurt by public sector union officials, and as a Presidential appointee to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, which resolves labor impasses between federal agencies and federal employee unions. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

Happy Hump Day! Emma speaks with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), to discuss the recent victories pro-public education candidates have had over right wing candidates in the most recent school board races. Then, Emma speaks with AMQuickie co-writer Jacob Silverman to discuss his recent piece in The Nation on Sam Altman's mysterious departure from OpenAI. And THEN, she's joined by Jason Myles, co-host of the This Is Revolution podcast, to discuss his recent mini-book release of I Was A Teenage Anarchist. First, Emma runs through updates on the death toll in Gaza climbing over 14k, Israel's striking of Humanitarian locations provided by the US, Ro Khana's call for a ceasefire, the growing anti-Palestinian Red Scare in Hollywood, a former Obama Advisor's harassment of a halal street vendor, organizing for reproductive rights, Wisconsin's Supreme Court, labor action among California educators, and a potential Andrew Cuomo mayoral run, before parsing through the recent announcement of a four-day PAUSE in Israel's bombardment of Gaza, and the Biden Administration's internal fear of honest journalism about the war. Randi Weingarten then joins, as she quickly runs through the astounding failure of the attempted right-wing takeover of local school boards, with candidates backed by Mom's for Liberty and the 1776 Project losing 70% of their races, including losing 8/10 in regions where they had seen previous victory, and how these results show what actual parental rights look like. Jacob Silverman then joins, diving right into OpenAI – the largest AI startup in Silicon Valley – Sam Altman – the CEO of said $80 billion startup – and this weekend's attempted removal of Altman by the board. Silverman walks through Altman's powerful role among Silicon Valley's elites, particularly among the cash cows, also touching on OpenAI's internal conflict between its cautious non-profit elements and its bullish members with grandiose visions, and how the mass funding required in this industry forces the integration of AI, regardless of its quality or moral clarity. After walking through the details of OpenAI's board's sudden firing of Altman, and the equally sudden (and successful) revolt against that decision, Silverman touches on the state of the AI tech bubble (particularly in comparison to the Crypto bubble), before briefly wrapping up with the guilty plea of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. Jason Myles helps round out the episode as he and Emma walk through the evolution of his mini-book “I Was A Teenage Anarchist,” and the parallels he sees in the fight between deconstruction and authenticity in the hardcore punk scene of the 1990s and 2000s, and the ongoing internal conflicts of the US' embryonic left. Myles touches on the additional parallels for the branding of both punk and leftism, before expanding on the need for a solid material and power analysis in pushing for actual material change – particularly within the context of social versus political and legislative progress. And in the Fun Half, Emma and the MR Crew react to the disgraceful behavior of Stuart Seldowitz, a former State Department staffer caught on video making racist, Islamophobic comments towards one halal cart vendor repeatedly on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. They also take a look at Iraqi-Israeli historian Avi Shlaim's remarks about the establishment of the Israeli state in the late 40's, and how the Zionist project precipitated geopolitical and religious conflict in the region. Finally, the MR Crew signs off with a fantastic message ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday from the person everyone needs to hear from before they give thanks: Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Plus, your calls & IM's! Find out more about the AFT here: https://www.aft.org/ Check out Jacob's piece here: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/how-sam-altman-ran-afoul-of-the-keepers-of-the-ai-faith/ Find "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" here: https://everyday-analysis.sellfy.store/p/i-was-a-teenage-anarchist-by-jason-myles-print-and-digital-issue-pre-order/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Check out today's sponsors: Nuts.com: Right now, https://Nuts.com is offering new customers a free gift with purchase and free shipping on orders of $29 or more at https://Nuts.com/majority. 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This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, November 16th, 2023. Pub Membership Plug: Public Houses, or Pubs, are not just places to drink beer, wine, cider or even something a little stronger. It is also a unique social centre, very often the focus of community life in villages, towns and cities throughout the length and breadth of the world. We here at CrossPolitic hope to emulate that for you and yours. That’s why you should grab yourself a pub membership with CrossPolitic! We have a lot of big projects we’re working on behind the scenes here at CrossPoltiic. Projects like This America, our rowdy Christian Guides, our new and improved Fight Laugh Feast App, with more to come… and we need you on this ride with us. So pull up a chair, grab a pint, and join us on this ride at fightlaughfeast.com - that’s fightlaughfeast.com. https://ij.org/press-release/new-jersey-parents-file-federal-class-action-lawsuit-challenging-states-secret-retention-of-newborn-blood-for-23-years/ New Jersey Parents File Federal Class Action Lawsuit Challenging State’s Secret Retention of Newborn Blood for 23 Years A group of New Jersey parents teamed up with the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file a federal lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s practice of keeping blood samples taken from newborn babies for 23 years, all without parents’ knowledge or consent. Not only does New Jersey hold onto the blood, it can use the blood samples in any manner it chooses. When babies are born in New Jersey, state law requires that blood be taken from the newborns and tested for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, hormonal deficiencies, and other immunity issues. All states perform similar tests. But, after the testing is over, New Jersey’s Department of Health keeps the leftover blood for 23 years. The state does not ask parents for their consent to keep their babies’ blood, failing to even inform parents that it will hold on to the residual blood. The only way parents could learn about such retention is by proactively looking it up on one of the third-party websites listed on the bottom of the card they’re given after the blood draw. And, once the state has the blood, it can use it however it wishes, including selling it to third parties, giving it to police without a warrant, or even selling it to the Pentagon to create a registry—as previously happened in Texas. “Parents have a right to informed consent if the state wants to keep their children’s blood for decades and use it for purposes other than screening for diseases,” said IJ Senior Attorney Rob Frommer. “New Jersey’s policy of storing baby blood and DNA and using that genetic information however it wants is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of all New Jersey parents and their newborns.” The plaintiffs challenging this law are two Boonton parents, Erica and Jeremiah Jedynak, and Hannah Lovaglio, a Cranbury mother of two. “It’s not right that the state can enter an incredibly intimate moment, the tender days of childbirth, and take something from our children which is then held on to for 23 years,” said Hannah. “The lack of consent and transparency causes me to question the intent and makes me worried for my children’s future selves.” “As a mother, I deserve the right to decide whether or not the government takes blood from my son and holds onto it for decades past its claimed use.” Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia require blood screening for newborns, whether a state will destroy leftover newborn blood, return it, or keep it with a form of parental consent varies on a state-by-state basis. “What makes New Jersey’s program so uniquely disturbing is the complete lack of safeguards for future abuse and the lack of consent, which leave the program ripe for abuse,” said IJ Attorney Christie Hebert. “Parents should not have to worry if the state is going to use the blood it said it was taking from their baby to test for diseases for other, unrelated purposes.” New Jersey is not alone in facing legal issues for the lack of consent when obtaining blood and over what the state does with the blood. Texas, Minnesota, and Michigan have all faced lawsuits over their retention of blood samples without informed consent from the parents. The 2009 lawsuit in Texas resulted in the state destroying 5.3 million blood samples, and now, all blood samples obtained after 2012 must be destroyed after two years. A 2014 settlement in the Minnesota lawsuit resulted in 1.1 million blood samples being destroyed. In 2022, Michigan agreed to destroy 3 million blood spots, but that lawsuit continues to move forward. “It’s incredibly misleading for the state to tell parents they are simply drawing blood from their babies to test for diseases when it could be sold to third parties or used by other government agencies to build invasive databases or registries,” said IJ Attorney Brian Morris. “As Texas and other states have shown, these concerns aren’t hypothetical.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-xi-meeting-seal-deals-fentanyl-military-communications-white-house Biden-Xi meeting to seal deals on fentanyl, military communications, White House says Wednesday's meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will address hard issues such as fentanyl supplies coming in from Asia and a lack of military communication, the White House said. Fox News spoke with NSC Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell this week — Campbell was just recently nominated to become deputy secretary of state. "I can tell you that President Biden intends to make very clear to President Xi to get ready. He's going to be dealing with President Biden for the next five years," Campbell told Fox News Digital. "These are tough diplomatic encounters," he continued. "President Biden has a lot of experience. They've known each other a long time. This is an important meeting. It'll be intense." Biden and Xi shook hands in San Francisco Wednesday. One key talking point for the two world leaders is the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States. "The president tasked us several months ago to try to come up with some sort of progress on one of the most terrible things that is a blight on America, the fentanyl crisis," Campbell told Fox News Digital. "So we've worked over the course of several months with Chinese interlocutors demanding progress on cutting off support from precursors that are produced by Chinese companies and then shipped largely to Latin America. And then they make their way up into the United States." "We're going to have to see how it's implemented," Campbell continued. "But so far, we believe the Chinese are going to take consequential steps that will essentially help us get a handle on really one of the most terrible drug epidemics the United States has ever faced. There's a back and forth on this. If they, in fact, make these arrests and shut down these companies, then we will be lifting a few sanctions." Another major concern to be addressed between Biden and Xi is the trend of increasingly common incidents between the Chinese and U.S. military. Government officials have reported that communications between China and U.S. military commands has become difficult, with Chinese military leaders refusing to meaningfully converse with their U.S. counterparts. "We seek to establish responsible mechanisms that can deal with communications in a crisis to prevent escalation and inadvertence. And I believe that the Chinese will come around to see that some of this is also in their best interest as well," Campbell added. https://dailycaller.com/2023/11/14/national-education-association-teachers-union-strike/ Teacher’s Union That Encouraged Teacher Strikes Now Faces Its Own Employee Rebellion The National Education Association (NEA) has a labor strike on its hands as its 48 employees protest low wages, Axios reports. The NEA, which represents 3 million educators, has encouraged several massive teacher strikes in past. Now, its own employees have voted unanimously to strike, claiming that wages have not risen to meet surging inflation in recent years. Thousands of NEA-affiliated Portland teachers went on strike in October over low pay and large class sizes, among other issues. The strike is ongoing. Teachers in Massachusetts and Columbus enjoyed NEA support while they went on strike last year. “The NEA is going to have step up and honor the values of the organization,” the bargaining chair for the union representing the NEA’s staff, LaToya Johnson, said. Johnson said she hoped that the organization would give their employees the same benefits they fought for the teachers they represent to have. “NEA has engaged in negotiations in good faith,” an NEA spokesperson told Axios. “[A]nd continues to apply a solutions-based approach to resolve the outstanding issues in a manner that addresses articulated priorities of AFSE while also balancing the strategic priorities of NEA and its members.” The NEA, along with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to decide on when and how in-person education would be allows after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to emails obtained by Americans for Public Trust. https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2023/11/13/as-the-marvels-bombs-disney-doubles-down-on-pushing-lgbtq-streaming-shows/ As ‘The Marvels’ Bombs, Disney Doubles Down on Pushing LGBTQ Streaming Shows The Walt Disney Company is rolling out more LGBTQ content as its latest superhero movie The Marvels crashed and burned at the box office on its opening weekend. The Disney+ drama series Culprits focuses on a gay domestic relationship between two men played by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and Kevin Vidal. The show focuses on Joe (Stewart-Jarrett), whose past criminal life threatens to re-emerge and disrupt the quiet suburban existence he has built with his male fiancé Jules (Vidal) The series — which is streaming on Disney+ in the U.K. and Hulu in the U.S. — also stars drag queen comedian Eddie Izzard, who now apparently goes by the name “Suzy Eddie Izzard.” In December, Hulu is set to debut the new documentary We Live Here in the Midwest — a look at gay, transgender, and “non-binary” families that live in small towns and cities throughout America’s heartland. Among the families profiled in the documentary are those with transgender parents. “What my dad was feeling and why she felt like she did, was more than just her. There are more people out there who are like this,” said one child whose father transitioned to become a “woman.” In another scene, a “non-binary” student discussed how she is treated in class. “The students believe that ‘non-binary’ do not exist,” she said. “I’m here right now so we do exist.” We Live Here in the Midwest is set to debut on December 6. Disney has embraced LGBTQ messaging in its entertainment aimed at children and families. As Breitbart News reported, Disney along with Netflix put out more LGBTQ content than any other studio in Hollywood in 2022, according to a GLAAD report. GLAAD said Disney released 59 films in 2022, and 24 of them were so-called “LGBT inclusive films.” In the past two years, Disney has fought Florida over its anti-grooming Parental Rights in Education law, created multiple transgender characters for its children’s shows, put gay characters at the center of its big-budget movies, and even launched an LGBTQ-themed apparel line. This year, Disney eliminated 7,000 jobs worldwide as its profitability cratered. CEO Bob Iger is planning on slashing an additional $2 billion in spending in the months ahead.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, November 16th, 2023. Pub Membership Plug: Public Houses, or Pubs, are not just places to drink beer, wine, cider or even something a little stronger. It is also a unique social centre, very often the focus of community life in villages, towns and cities throughout the length and breadth of the world. We here at CrossPolitic hope to emulate that for you and yours. That’s why you should grab yourself a pub membership with CrossPolitic! We have a lot of big projects we’re working on behind the scenes here at CrossPoltiic. Projects like This America, our rowdy Christian Guides, our new and improved Fight Laugh Feast App, with more to come… and we need you on this ride with us. So pull up a chair, grab a pint, and join us on this ride at fightlaughfeast.com - that’s fightlaughfeast.com. https://ij.org/press-release/new-jersey-parents-file-federal-class-action-lawsuit-challenging-states-secret-retention-of-newborn-blood-for-23-years/ New Jersey Parents File Federal Class Action Lawsuit Challenging State’s Secret Retention of Newborn Blood for 23 Years A group of New Jersey parents teamed up with the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file a federal lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s practice of keeping blood samples taken from newborn babies for 23 years, all without parents’ knowledge or consent. Not only does New Jersey hold onto the blood, it can use the blood samples in any manner it chooses. When babies are born in New Jersey, state law requires that blood be taken from the newborns and tested for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, hormonal deficiencies, and other immunity issues. All states perform similar tests. But, after the testing is over, New Jersey’s Department of Health keeps the leftover blood for 23 years. The state does not ask parents for their consent to keep their babies’ blood, failing to even inform parents that it will hold on to the residual blood. The only way parents could learn about such retention is by proactively looking it up on one of the third-party websites listed on the bottom of the card they’re given after the blood draw. And, once the state has the blood, it can use it however it wishes, including selling it to third parties, giving it to police without a warrant, or even selling it to the Pentagon to create a registry—as previously happened in Texas. “Parents have a right to informed consent if the state wants to keep their children’s blood for decades and use it for purposes other than screening for diseases,” said IJ Senior Attorney Rob Frommer. “New Jersey’s policy of storing baby blood and DNA and using that genetic information however it wants is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of all New Jersey parents and their newborns.” The plaintiffs challenging this law are two Boonton parents, Erica and Jeremiah Jedynak, and Hannah Lovaglio, a Cranbury mother of two. “It’s not right that the state can enter an incredibly intimate moment, the tender days of childbirth, and take something from our children which is then held on to for 23 years,” said Hannah. “The lack of consent and transparency causes me to question the intent and makes me worried for my children’s future selves.” “As a mother, I deserve the right to decide whether or not the government takes blood from my son and holds onto it for decades past its claimed use.” Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia require blood screening for newborns, whether a state will destroy leftover newborn blood, return it, or keep it with a form of parental consent varies on a state-by-state basis. “What makes New Jersey’s program so uniquely disturbing is the complete lack of safeguards for future abuse and the lack of consent, which leave the program ripe for abuse,” said IJ Attorney Christie Hebert. “Parents should not have to worry if the state is going to use the blood it said it was taking from their baby to test for diseases for other, unrelated purposes.” New Jersey is not alone in facing legal issues for the lack of consent when obtaining blood and over what the state does with the blood. Texas, Minnesota, and Michigan have all faced lawsuits over their retention of blood samples without informed consent from the parents. The 2009 lawsuit in Texas resulted in the state destroying 5.3 million blood samples, and now, all blood samples obtained after 2012 must be destroyed after two years. A 2014 settlement in the Minnesota lawsuit resulted in 1.1 million blood samples being destroyed. In 2022, Michigan agreed to destroy 3 million blood spots, but that lawsuit continues to move forward. “It’s incredibly misleading for the state to tell parents they are simply drawing blood from their babies to test for diseases when it could be sold to third parties or used by other government agencies to build invasive databases or registries,” said IJ Attorney Brian Morris. “As Texas and other states have shown, these concerns aren’t hypothetical.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-xi-meeting-seal-deals-fentanyl-military-communications-white-house Biden-Xi meeting to seal deals on fentanyl, military communications, White House says Wednesday's meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will address hard issues such as fentanyl supplies coming in from Asia and a lack of military communication, the White House said. Fox News spoke with NSC Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell this week — Campbell was just recently nominated to become deputy secretary of state. "I can tell you that President Biden intends to make very clear to President Xi to get ready. He's going to be dealing with President Biden for the next five years," Campbell told Fox News Digital. "These are tough diplomatic encounters," he continued. "President Biden has a lot of experience. They've known each other a long time. This is an important meeting. It'll be intense." Biden and Xi shook hands in San Francisco Wednesday. One key talking point for the two world leaders is the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States. "The president tasked us several months ago to try to come up with some sort of progress on one of the most terrible things that is a blight on America, the fentanyl crisis," Campbell told Fox News Digital. "So we've worked over the course of several months with Chinese interlocutors demanding progress on cutting off support from precursors that are produced by Chinese companies and then shipped largely to Latin America. And then they make their way up into the United States." "We're going to have to see how it's implemented," Campbell continued. "But so far, we believe the Chinese are going to take consequential steps that will essentially help us get a handle on really one of the most terrible drug epidemics the United States has ever faced. There's a back and forth on this. If they, in fact, make these arrests and shut down these companies, then we will be lifting a few sanctions." Another major concern to be addressed between Biden and Xi is the trend of increasingly common incidents between the Chinese and U.S. military. Government officials have reported that communications between China and U.S. military commands has become difficult, with Chinese military leaders refusing to meaningfully converse with their U.S. counterparts. "We seek to establish responsible mechanisms that can deal with communications in a crisis to prevent escalation and inadvertence. And I believe that the Chinese will come around to see that some of this is also in their best interest as well," Campbell added. https://dailycaller.com/2023/11/14/national-education-association-teachers-union-strike/ Teacher’s Union That Encouraged Teacher Strikes Now Faces Its Own Employee Rebellion The National Education Association (NEA) has a labor strike on its hands as its 48 employees protest low wages, Axios reports. The NEA, which represents 3 million educators, has encouraged several massive teacher strikes in past. Now, its own employees have voted unanimously to strike, claiming that wages have not risen to meet surging inflation in recent years. Thousands of NEA-affiliated Portland teachers went on strike in October over low pay and large class sizes, among other issues. The strike is ongoing. Teachers in Massachusetts and Columbus enjoyed NEA support while they went on strike last year. “The NEA is going to have step up and honor the values of the organization,” the bargaining chair for the union representing the NEA’s staff, LaToya Johnson, said. Johnson said she hoped that the organization would give their employees the same benefits they fought for the teachers they represent to have. “NEA has engaged in negotiations in good faith,” an NEA spokesperson told Axios. “[A]nd continues to apply a solutions-based approach to resolve the outstanding issues in a manner that addresses articulated priorities of AFSE while also balancing the strategic priorities of NEA and its members.” The NEA, along with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to decide on when and how in-person education would be allows after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to emails obtained by Americans for Public Trust. https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2023/11/13/as-the-marvels-bombs-disney-doubles-down-on-pushing-lgbtq-streaming-shows/ As ‘The Marvels’ Bombs, Disney Doubles Down on Pushing LGBTQ Streaming Shows The Walt Disney Company is rolling out more LGBTQ content as its latest superhero movie The Marvels crashed and burned at the box office on its opening weekend. The Disney+ drama series Culprits focuses on a gay domestic relationship between two men played by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and Kevin Vidal. The show focuses on Joe (Stewart-Jarrett), whose past criminal life threatens to re-emerge and disrupt the quiet suburban existence he has built with his male fiancé Jules (Vidal) The series — which is streaming on Disney+ in the U.K. and Hulu in the U.S. — also stars drag queen comedian Eddie Izzard, who now apparently goes by the name “Suzy Eddie Izzard.” In December, Hulu is set to debut the new documentary We Live Here in the Midwest — a look at gay, transgender, and “non-binary” families that live in small towns and cities throughout America’s heartland. Among the families profiled in the documentary are those with transgender parents. “What my dad was feeling and why she felt like she did, was more than just her. There are more people out there who are like this,” said one child whose father transitioned to become a “woman.” In another scene, a “non-binary” student discussed how she is treated in class. “The students believe that ‘non-binary’ do not exist,” she said. “I’m here right now so we do exist.” We Live Here in the Midwest is set to debut on December 6. Disney has embraced LGBTQ messaging in its entertainment aimed at children and families. As Breitbart News reported, Disney along with Netflix put out more LGBTQ content than any other studio in Hollywood in 2022, according to a GLAAD report. GLAAD said Disney released 59 films in 2022, and 24 of them were so-called “LGBT inclusive films.” In the past two years, Disney has fought Florida over its anti-grooming Parental Rights in Education law, created multiple transgender characters for its children’s shows, put gay characters at the center of its big-budget movies, and even launched an LGBTQ-themed apparel line. This year, Disney eliminated 7,000 jobs worldwide as its profitability cratered. CEO Bob Iger is planning on slashing an additional $2 billion in spending in the months ahead.

New indictments against Trump announced. The ditch keeps getting deeper.  UPS Teamsters announced a “historic” contract win a week before what could have been one of the largest strikes in American history. The details of the contract will be the proof to that claim. Since the announcement some UPS Teamsters are saying the unions 180,000 part-time workers may not get as good of a deal as suggested.  In what could prove to be a sign that higher education faculty are willing to step up and fight to a greater degree, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) voted to affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The alliance will be the largest union of higher education faculty - about 300,000 strong.  Following new scientific data from the World Meteorological Organization on this summer's record heat, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, proclaimed that the era of global warming has ended and the “era of global boiling has arrived.”  It's been so hot in Arizona that the state's famous Saguaro cacti are literally collapsing.  Ocean temperatures of over 100 degrees in waters around Florida could be a global record.  Something else that climate change is giving us to worry about. More Americans are developing a rare meat allergy - Alpha-gal syndrome - which is linked to bites from the lone star tick. New data from the CDC find a steep increase in cases of alpha-gal. Alpha-gale can give you  “stomach cramps, diarrhea, hives, and shortness of breath that could trigger fatal anaphylaxis,” according to the BBC.  GM and other major automakers announce they will build 30,000 electric vehicle chargers to help build out the electric vehicle charging network.  While Republican politicians and media personalities make is seem as though all parents are up in arms about their public schools, about 80% of parents responding to a new Gallup poll say they are somewhat or completely satisfied with their child's school. That confirms what a string of other polls conducted during the pandemic have shown. There's a gap between the political propaganda and real schools.  And Mitch McConnell suffers a medical incident in the middle of a press conference. The party line is that “he's fine” but no information about what actually happened has been released.  Central Bucks school board votes to give their superintendent, Dr. Abram Lucabauh, an $86,000 raise and a new 5 year contract after he joined with the board's new right-wing board to enact book bans, anti-LGBTQ politics, and more. He will now be one of highest paid public school administrators in PA. Pennridge School District board members are enraged over “secret” curriculum meetings between Vermillion Education's Jordan Adams and select members of the board. Christening Batycki, a member of the curriculum committee, found out “by happenstance” that Jordan Blomgren and Megan Banis-Clemens were meeting secretly with Adams to discuss the direction of the curriculum.  Barbie breaks box office records as the right-wing loses it's collective mind (again).  Sinéad O'Connor dies at age 56. Morrissey writes a passionate tribute to her and condemns the music industry for their treatment of her.

Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more Michael A. Cohen is a regular contributor for The Boston Globe on national politics and foreign affairs. He is also the author of “American Maelstrom: The 1968 Election and the Politics of Division.” Michael has written for dozens of news outlets, including as a columnist for the Guardian and Foreign Policy and he is the US Political Correspondent for the London Observer. He previously worked as a speechwriter at the US State Department and has been a lecturer at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Please check out and hopefully subscribe to Michael's Substack newsletter Truth and Consequences!  Stand Up subscribers get a discount on Michael's new newsletter!   Carole Gauronskas is vice president of the Florida Education Association (FEA), the state's largest association of professional employees. Carole is the first education staff professional to be elected as an officer of the FEA, and previously worked as an exceptional student education (ESE) paraprofessional at Ketterlinus Elementary School in St. Augustine, Fla. In her work and within the larger community, Carole has always been driven to serve. Carole came to Ketterlinus Elementary School in 2000 as a parent, serving initially as a volunteer. She wore many hats at the school: volunteer coordinator, newsletter editor, Title I liaison, computer lab instructor and, for nine years, ESE paraprofessional. In 2008, Carole was the School Related Employee of the Year at Ketterlinus. She served as an advocate for the members of the St. Johns Educational Support Professional Association (SJESPA) for several years, first as a school representative and beginning in May 2015 as local union president. Carole has held leadership positions on numerous councils and teams within her school district and union, and has given many hours as a church and community volunteer. In 2018, she received FEA's Educational Support Professional of the Year award. In October 2018, she was elected secretary-treasurer of the organization. Carole was named vice president in September 2020, when then-Vice President Andrew Spar rose to the presidency following the departure of the previous president, Fedrick Ingram, to become secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Carole and her husband, David, have one son. Adam is a graduate of St. Johns County public schools and attends St. Johns River State College.   Check out all things Jon Carroll Follow and Support Pete Coe Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment. Here are the stories that she gives her take on: 1. ABC NEWS:"Conservative justices question Biden's student loan plan in crucial SCOTUS case " 2. AXIOS: "Why poverty rates are likely to rise this year" 3. AXIOS: "House Dems introduce bill to tighten rail safety measures" 4. ASSOCIATED PRESS: "Biden to nominate Julie Su as next US labor secretary" 5. AXIOS: "Majority of countries guarantee paid paternity leave — but not the U.S." During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Natalia Abrams, President and Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), and a monthly guest host of the Leslie Marshall Show.The SDCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The two discuss today's "People's Rally for Student Debt Cancellation" that the SDCC co-organized with over 20 different organizations in attendance at the rally, including the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), the NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Hundreds of protesters, many college students from across the country, rallied outside the Supreme Court this morning, carrying signs and posters urging the justices to back President Biden's effort to cancel some $400 billion in student loan debt. Democratic lawmakers like Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Robert Menendez and Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Judy Chu addressed supporters of the plan from the steps of the Supreme Court. The SDCC's website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg. Natalia's Twitter handle is @NataliaAbrams.

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment. Here are the stories that she gives her take on: 1. ABC NEWS:"Conservative justices question Biden's student loan plan in crucial SCOTUS case " 2. AXIOS: "Why poverty rates are likely to rise this year" 3. AXIOS: "House Dems introduce bill to tighten rail safety measures" 4. ASSOCIATED PRESS: "Biden to nominate Julie Su as next US labor secretary" 5. AXIOS: "Majority of countries guarantee paid paternity leave — but not the U.S." During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Natalia Abrams, President and Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), and a monthly guest host of the Leslie Marshall Show.The SDCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The two discuss today's "People's Rally for Student Debt Cancellation" that the SDCC co-organized with over 20 different organizations in attendance at the rally, including the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), the NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Hundreds of protesters, many college students from across the country, rallied outside the Supreme Court this morning, carrying signs and posters urging the justices to back President Biden's effort to cancel some $400 billion in student loan debt. Democratic lawmakers like Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Robert Menendez and Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Judy Chu addressed supporters of the plan from the steps of the Supreme Court. The SDCC's website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg. Natalia's Twitter handle is @NataliaAbrams.

* Guest: mary tocco, International speaker, author, independent researcher, natural health coach and the Vice President of The Foundation for Pediatric Health - MaryTocco.com * Mary is considered an expert on the dangers of vaccines. * A majority of Americans believe 2023 will be a challenging year, pointing to economic difficulty, political divide, crime and international discord as lead issues facing the country, according to a recent poll. * WHAT ARE THEY HIDING? Jan 6 Committee Sealed All Important VIDEOS and Documents for 50 Years – So They Can Continue to Lie About J-6 Protests and Fed Involvement. * Governor Ron DeSantis uses Bible of the Revolution — on loan from Glenn Beck — in swearing-in ceremony. * $1.7T Federal Spending Bill Larded With Waste; 27 Republicans Voted for It. * FDA finalizes rule change allowing certified pharmacies to dispense mifepristone, an abortion pill. * CVS and Walgreens Plan to Carry Abortion Pill, Become 'Centers of Death,'. * The DOJ will allow the US Postal Service (USPS) to continue shipping abortion pills, even within jurisdictions that restrict abortions, according to a Dec. 23 opinion from the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel. * The DOJ determined that USPS's mailing of abortion-inducing drugs mifepristone and misoprostol doesn't violate the Comstock Act, a set of laws from 1873 which restrict the mailing of materials perceived to be immoral or indecent. * One dozen states ban most abortions, and 18 states ban the dispensation of abortion pills by mail, according to the Guttmacher Institute; USPS will still be able to ship chemical abortion pills to these states under the DOJ's new guidance Since the drugs are legal at the federal level. * Throughout 2022, teachers unions turned their attention to initiatives such as gender identity educational materials and reading lists promoting political protest. The nation's largest teachers unions, National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), as well as their local chapters, have focused on integrating gender identity and Critical Race Theory (CRT) lessons into the classroom. * In 2022, teachers unions promoted LGBTQ ally badges, created ads labeling parents as extremists and published summer reading lists promoting books about kneeling for the national anthem. "Teachers' unions are one of the country's largest special interest groups pushing progressive politics," * The NEA and AFT combined spent over $100 million on political activities last year.

* Guest: Patrick Semmens - National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation - Find Out If You Live In A Right To Work State - 27 States Protect Worker Freedom - RightToWork.org * The union bosses' political machine spent more in the 2022 election cycle then ever before in a midterm election to further their radical forced-union agenda. * Make no mistake: Big Labor and their political leviathan are still as powerful -- and as dangerous -- as ever - the union bosses still have the Biden Administration and the federal bureaucracy to do their bidding. * It's clear that for the next two years, with "Union guy" Joe in the White House, forced-unionism partisans will work even harder to deliver new compulsory unionism powers through back-room, bureaucratic maneuvers. * Looking ahead to 2024, you know better than most that the Big Labor political machine should never be underestimated. * Your National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has been given a major opportunity in our effort to score crucial victories over Big Labor's forced-dues empire in 2023. * Kentucky Worker Hits Steelworkers Union with Complaint for Violation of Right to Work Law. * California Lifeguards Ask Supreme Court to Blow Whistle on Dues-Trap Scheme. * Chicago-Area CVS Employee Rehired After Filing Legal Action Challenging Union-Instigated Firing. * Victory for grandmothers: Court rules state can't prohibit their food sales - As long as product is shelf-stable, so it doesn't need refrigeration - Bob Unruh, WND.com * A court in Wisconsin ruled that the state cannot ban people from making and selling homemade, shelf-stable foods directly to consumers. * West Point To Remove Confederate Monuments. * Westminster College, located in SLC, Utah, will offer a course titled "Dead White Women" during the spring 2023 semester which will analyze society's "(unhealthy) obsession with the death of white women," according to the course catalog. * Throughout 2022, teachers unions turned their attention to initiatives such as gender identity educational materials and reading lists promoting political protest. The nation's largest teachers unions, National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), as well as their local chapters, have focused on integrating gender identity and Critical Race Theory (CRT) lessons into the classroom. * In 2022, teachers unions promoted LGBTQ ally badges, created ads labeling parents as extremists and published summer reading lists promoting books about kneeling for the national anthem. "Teachers' unions are one of the country's largest special interest groups pushing progressive politics," * The NEA and AFT combined spent over $100 million on political activities last year.

Last year the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) collected approximately $575 million in dues from their members. How did they spend these funds?

Welcome to The Voice Podcast, the official podcast of United University Professions, the nation's largest higher education union.  In our debut podcast, UUP President Fred Kowal talks with past UUP President Nuala Drescher. Drescher, who served from 1981 through 1987, is the union's first woman president.  A Distinguished Service Professor Emerita at the State University of New York College at Buffalo, Drescher oversaw the overwhelming ratification of two three-year contracts with the state. Those contracts also created what is now the  UUP-SUNY Joint Labor Management Committees. One of those programs, the Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Diversity and Inclusion Leave Program, is named for her. UUP represents the faculty and professional staff at state-operated SUNY campuses and public teaching hospitals across New York state. UUP is Local 2190 of the statewide union, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and national union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

McDowell County, West Virginia, in the heart of what used to be coal country, is one of the most impoverished counties in the US — a place that embodies the challenges facing many American areas in transition. But something new is happening there; it's called Reconnecting McDowell, a multi-partner effort, led by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Can education be the driver of local economic and social development in one of the poorest places in the US? What if the best anti-poverty program is investing in teachers and children? In this episode, for May 1, a traditional labor holiday around the world, we take a look at Reconnecting McDowell and speak to some of the beneficiaries. Drawing on some of the labor movement's earliest traditions, could this partnership between local drive and national commitment provide a model for the future?“I feel like we are coming back to serve and coming back to plant seeds in an area where we have let our seeds and the grass wither and go dry. It's time to quit looking for the grass that's greener on the other side and actually plant seeds.” - Nadia Johnson, Communities in School Coordinator, Mount View High School, Welch, WV “We have to start with the little mom and pop shop that hires two or three people. And then you have another little mom and pop shop that hires two or three people. And we keep going with that momentum.” - Harold McBride, Mayor of Welch, McDowell County, WV“What we've learned here is that the first action is not to point fingers. The first action is not to blame. The first action is to come together and figure out what we need to do, who needs to do it, and whose voice has to be heard.” - Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIOGuestsNadia Johnson, Communities in School Coordinator, Mount View High School, Welch, WVHarold McBride, Mayor of Welch, McDowell County, WVRandi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Full episode notes including related articles and LFShow episodes to watch and/or listen to are posted at https://Patreon.com/theLFShow. Patreon Members receive access to the FULL UNCUT CONVERSATION for this podcast on the Thursday, following the podcast episode release on Monday.  We are listener & viewer sponsored.  The show airs on 300+ Public Television  households across the U.S., on over 40 community radio stations and as a podcast.  Become a member at https://Patreon.com/theLFShow

Subscribe Now for High-Quality Nonpartisan Information: Please SUBSCRIBE to our nonpartisan Connors Newsletter! Get all of our Connors Forum for a Healthy Democracy publications and Utterly Moderate podcasts instantly! On This Utterly Moderate Episode: On this episode of Utterly Moderate we are joined by James Warren, executive editor at NewsGuard, a nonpartisan company that rates news organizations. Warren previously worked as managing editor at the Chicago Tribune, chief media writer at the Poynter Institute, and Washington bureau chief for the New York Daily News. Warren joins the show to discuss a huge deal his company just reached with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to make their news rating software available to millions of students around the country! Episode Music: “Please Listen Carefully” by Jahzzar (creative commons) “Draw the Sky” by Paul Keane (licensed through TakeTones) “Happy Trails (To You)” by the Riders in the Sky (used with artist's permission)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper was the first featured guest on today's edition of the AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about a new poll showing strong support for public education, how redrawn congressional maps are not favorable for public education advocates to run for seats on the State Board of Education and the upcoming OFT biennial convention.   Also featured on the podcast today was Boilermakers Local 154 Business Agent Shawn Steffee. He discussed how Boilermakers are navigating the “green and renewable” trend in energy conservation, carbon capture to make fossil fuels more efficient and the Boilermakers apprenticeship program.

Hour 1 * Journalist Peter Schweizer has a new Book, “Red-handed: How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win. The Biden family received around $31M from individuals linked to the highest levels of Chinese intelligence. * The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the US' second largest teachers union, is rolling out a nationwide partnership with a “news literacy tool” called NewsGuard “to protect and champion legitimate journalism and fact-based reporting”. * Ron Paul: ‘Forget the Russians: It's the Federal Reserve' – Whether it's the mainstream media, the CIA, the FBI, or now the Federal Reserve, more and more Americans are waking up to the fact that there is a Deep State in America and its interests have nothing to do with American liberty. The fed needs to get out of the business of monetary policy. * Stock Market Crash: Triple-whammy' explains why stocks are down sharply – inflation, stagflation, – Fed to increase interest rates, Threat of War. * US steps up effort to counter Russia's Ukraine threats. * Russia-Ukraine: US orders 8,500 troops on heightened alert. Hour 2 * Another Conspiracy Confirmed: How the Plunge Protection Team Rigs the Markets – Corbett Report – 08/31/2019. * The IRS will soon require taxpayers to submit a scan of their face in order to access certain features and tax records. The change will force users to sign into the IRS website through an account with third-party firm ID.me, and provide a government identification document with their photo alongside a selfie to verify their identity, according to the IRS website. * IRS Hacked: Thieves Steal Personal Information of 104,000 – Was Your Data Stolen? * A Scandal is Brewing at the IRS – Katie Pavlich, TownHall.com – Confidential tax information belonging to hundreds of Americans, who happen to be some of the richest in the country, has been released and published. * It is illegal for the IRS to expose confidential tax information to the public. * How much does the average American make? These Ivy League students think it's six figures – USA Today – The average worker makes $51,480. * WHEELS. The Little Roadster That Leaves a Smile – Jim Motavalli – Enjoy Mazda Miatas. The little cars combine affordability with clever engineering, dependability and driving fun. * Sticker shock: Average used car price is $29,000. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support

* Journalist Peter Schweizer has a new Book, "Red-handed: How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win. The Biden family received around $31M from individuals linked to the highest levels of Chinese intelligence. * The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the US' second largest teachers union, is rolling out a nationwide partnership with a "news literacy tool" called NewsGuard "to protect and champion legitimate journalism and fact-based reporting". * Ron Paul: 'Forget the Russians: It's the Federal Reserve' - Whether it's the mainstream media, the CIA, the FBI, or now the Federal Reserve, more and more Americans are waking up to the fact that there is a Deep State in America and its interests have nothing to do with American liberty. The fed needs to get out of the business of monetary policy. * Stock Market Crash: Triple-whammy' explains why stocks are down sharply - inflation, stagflation, - Fed to increase interest rates, Threat of War. * US steps up effort to counter Russia's Ukraine threats. * Russia-Ukraine: US orders 8,500 troops on heightened alert.

While the cat's away, the mice will play. For the sake of this metaphor, the cat represents school parents and their children — waylaid by a global pandemic — with little to do save for purchasing better webcams and hope the tiny picture inside the screen knows what it's talking about. That leaves our mice — fascinating little buggers. For example, did you know the most prominent temperament associated with mice is dominance? …and so we have our teachers unions, flexing on the nation's education system, whilst parents juggle a job, remote learning, and the never-ending search for that Google Classroom login info. All that's to say, we've been distracted. And teachers unions like the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have been making some controversial changes — expanding their influence and power over policy — while most of us can't even muster the strength to get out to a PTA meeting.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper was the first guest on today's episode of the AWF Union Podcast. She discussed difficulties faced by teachers attempting to unionize at Menlo Park in northeast Ohio. She also discussed legislation introduced by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) to help students with Social Emotional Learning. Good Jobs First Executive Director Greg LeRoy was also featured on today's show. He spoke about CARES Act spending and how those expenditures were poorly documented by most states. LeRoy also discussed the fact taxpayers are funding Amazon warehouse expansions.

National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers presidents Becky Pringle and Randi Weingarten join us to talk about the tangible benefits of union membership like public service loan forgiveness and the dynamic power that comes when there is alignment between the national, state, and local unions and rank-and-file members. Episode 12 Show Notes: Guests Show resources Transcript GuestsBecky Pringle is president of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States. Learn more about Becky: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/leaders/presidentRandi Weingarten is president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFL-CIO, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. Learn more about Randi:https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/randi-weingarten Resources Public service loan forgiveness resources  from AFT: Public service loan forgiveness resources from NEALabor union approval at highest point since 1965 (Gallup) TranscriptAndrew Spar, President of FEA: Hi, this is FEA President Andrew Spar. To stay on top of all the latest news and issues impacting our public schools be sure to follow FEA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on this podcast, visit FEAweb.org/podcast. Sharon Nesvig, Announcer: You're listening to Educating from the Heart. Thank you for joining our lively conversations with teachers, support professionals, parents and students, as they share issues that matter most in our public schools. Here are your hosts, Tina Dunbar and Luke Flynt. Tina Dunbar, Host: Welcome to another episode of Educating from the Heart. I'm Tina with Luke. You know, we've been hearing a lot of educators share concerns over personnel shortages in their schools, and the impact it's having on the work they do. Now some are even expressing worries over not having enough school supplies to make it to the end of the school year due to rising prices, disruptions in the supply chain and worker shortages in every area of our economy. You know, Luke, people are voluntarily walking away from their jobs or standing up for safety and fighting for better worker rights. We're experiencing an explosion of labor activism in Florida and throughout the nation. Luke Flynt, Host: You know, Tina, I see it too, from the workers at John Deere to Kellogg's, those employed in healthcare to Hollywood. This fall has seen one of the largest increases of organized labor activity in a century. Tina, did you know that during the fall of 2021, up to 100,000 working people have either been on strike or voted to authorize a strike. Tina: Wow. That's a lot. I knew about the strikes, but so many standing up.  Luke:  This wave of taking back power and asserting worker rights has been wonderful to watch. I'm reminded of one of my favorite songs. Now, I'm not going to sing. Everybody would stop listening if I did. But “Solidarity Forever” has been sung for more than a century.  Tina: Hey, I've got it here. I'm going to play it.   Utah Phillips singing “Solidarity Forever”: When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run/There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun/ Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one/But the union makes us strong Tina: Oh, I love that song.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper addressed the “Backpack Bill,” Ohio House Bill 290, which could gut public education and provide a universal voucher to all students in Ohio regardless of income or the performance of their local public schools. She also spoke about student loan forgiveness and the alarming rate of student loan debt. UCOMM Blog Editor-in-Chief Kris LaGrange was also featured on today's episode of the AWF Union Podcast. He gave advice on what to do and what not to do when standing in solidarity with striking workers. LaGrange also encouraged unions to take advantage of having President Biden in office.

The school year has begun for most people in the United States, but the big question still remains: are the children and faculty safe? Randi Weingarten is President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and she joins us from her Back to School tour to discuss the importance of getting kids back in community at school, but doing so safely. And in states like Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis refuses to administer the $7 billion dollars the state was granted in the American Rescue Plan to schools, that safety is what hangs in the balance. And if you're a parent, who happens to disagree with what your local officials are doing to prevent children from being able to wear masks, Randi has a special request for you as your kids head back to the classroom. *This recording took place just after Hurricane Ida made its way through the Northeast. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), talks about how schools and teachers are preparing for school to open as the delta variant has thrown another COVID-related wrench in plans.

Every Tuesday evening through May 4th, The Greene Space and the non-profit advocacy organization Worth Rises are holding virtual panel discussions about the business side of the prison industry, asking: who profits when people get put away? We're previewing those discussions with a weekly segment here on The Brian Lehrer Show. Mass incarceration is not only a racial justice and civil rights issue—it is also an investment issue. Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises’s executive director, and Elizabeth Parisian, assistant director of research and strategic initiatives at American Federation of Teachers (AFT), talk about how our money—from pension funds to retirement accounts—is tied up in the prison industry, and whether there’s anything we can do to take control and change course. EVENT, 7pm: Sign up for Tuesday's live virtual panel discussion HERE.

On March 21, 2021, the Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended a virtual press rally sponsored by the Poor People's Campaign to demand dignity and respect and the right to unionize for the 6000 Bessmer, Alabama Amazon warehouse employees. In this segment, you will hear from national labor leaders speaking about their support for the Bessmer Amazon workers' struggle. (Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Elizabeth Powell, Secretary-Treasurer, American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Mary Kay Henry, International President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Lee Saunder, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Part 3.

Reopening schools is just one of the challenges that lie ahead for teachers, students, and parents. Randi Weingarten is President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and she explains that it’s not solely about getting caught up with academics; kids need healing from the traumas of the pandemic and should get back on track with human interaction and most importantly, having fun. Randi also shares her recommendations on summer sessions vs. private tutoring. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com

Welcome to the Harmony of Interest series, where we will explore ideas that positively shape our world. Harvey J. Kaye, is a Professor Emeritus of Democracy and Justice Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and he is an award-winning author, and has published sixteen books on history, politics, and revolutionary ideas. We discuss his background in organized labor with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), FDR, and Harvey’s Book The Fight for The Four Freedoms: What Made FDR and THE Greatest Generation Truly Great. You can follow Dr. Kaye on Twitter at https://twitter.com/harveyjkaye and you can support his work at https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/FDR-on-Democracy/Harvey-J-Kaye/9781510752160. Empathy Media Lab is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Support media, authors, and journalists that fight for the working class.  https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ #HarmonyOfInterest #PoliticalEconomyMatters #LaborRadioPod #1U #UnionStrong

In the third part of our New Normal series, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding the reopening of K-12 schools.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), talks about how teachers are feeling as schools in our area prepare to re-open, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Teachers, parents, and kids all have the DESIRE to go back to school, but only one thing matters: is it SAFE? Randi Weingarten is the President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and her team has been working on a slew of back-to-school scenarios since April, and they have identified the three key things that need to happen BEFORE we can consider putting students, teachers, and administrators at risk. She outlines these important items and also gives us an update on what the Trump administration, and more specifically Betsy DeVos, has NOT done to prepare schools, budgets, or the people who rely on both.Executive Producer: Adell ColemanProducer: Brittany TempleDistributor: DCP EntertainmentFor additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Karla, Antonio and Mindy recognize Teacher Appreciation Day, the discussion focuses on when school could safely reopen. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) introduced a science-based plan of 5 public health and safety pillars as keys to reopening safely. The Florida Education Association is calling for educator and medical professional representation on a task force about when to reopen schools. On today's show, School Board member Dr. Steve Gallon joins the discussion about the efforts teachers are making to keep education going through distance learning while the school buildings are closed.

Labor unions got us: The 40-hour work week. The Weekend. Pensions. Employer Health Coverage. Vacations. But the sustained GOP jihad on Unions has hurt. Bill talks to former NYT Labor reporter Steven Greenhouse about his new book, Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor. Plus Bill's take on the Nevada Caucus and how the party needs to think, not about stopping Bernie, but figuring out how to win with him. Today's Bill Press Pod is sponsored by all the fine labor unions that support the Bill Press Pod: LIUNA, (LIUNA.org) The Ironworkers, ( Ironworkers.org) Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, (smart-union.org) The Steelworkers, (USW.org)The United Food and Commercial Workers, (UFCW.org)The Teamsters, (Teamster.org) and The American Federation of Teachers ( AFT.org ). We thank them for their support.

This is the full 2-16-2019 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On tonight's Labor Express, we continue to remember the life and legacy of James Thindwa. First, James colleague from struggles at both Jobs with Justice and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and friend of 16 years, Carlos Fernandez offers his reflections on his years of working with James. In the second half of the program, another archive interview with James. This one from November of 2008 focusing on James' analysis of the meaning for organized labor of Obama's first presidential election victory. James' warnings about the limitations of electoral politics are especially relevant in this election year. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page... laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the radical union that reaches into tens of thousands of classrooms, is pushing saturation indoctrination on race, “racism,” “racial identity,” “bias,” “prejudice,” “discrimination,” “hate,” “white supremacy,” and, of course, “equity,” “tolerance” and “diversity.” Read the article here!

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten and author Rachel DeLoache Williams join The Joan Hamburg Show. 

School is in session. What tools do students need to succeed? American Federation of Teachers (AFT)  president Randi Weingarten joins Joan Hamburg. 

Rachel Leyland and Kendra Abel are public school teachers in Oklahoma City who participated in the walkout in April of 2018. We discuss how the walkout shed light on the problems caused by chronic underfunding of public education, the power of standing together to demand change, and the importance of supporting pro-education candidates for office. Support for Public Education Bolsters Democracy Chronic underfunding and continued cuts to public education have grave consequences. In Oklahoma, teachers and parents are supplementing educational programs out of their own pockets in order to level the playing field with education in other states. Teachers are underpaid and are forced to take second jobs, or even leave the state for better pay. Our Humanity A good education transforms lives. Our humanity is at stake when we forsake the future of our children. We need to teach them to have critical thinking skills, a vision for a better tomorrow, the tools to participate in our democracy, and an innate understanding that their voice is important. What we do today will affect us for generations to come. The Power of Civic Action The teacher walkout in Oklahoma raised awareness on the issues facing public education, ranging from large class sizes to hostile state representatives. The public now understands how meager the education budget is and what that means, as well as how their elected representatives have voted on education. Oklahomans are now engaged in an open conversation about how to improve public education. Find out more: Rachel Leyland and Kendra Abel are both teachers in the Oklahoma City Public School system. They participated in the teachers’ walkout that took place in Oklahoma in April of 2018. They continue to be involved with this issue through the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the OKCPS Board of Education.

Dr Karen Garst speaks to the UBC Freethinkers about the archaeological evidence for worship of the female goddess in the Paleolithic era through its continued existence when male deities became incorporated into the pantheon of gods. Karen Garst has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the UW - Madison, a Masters in French Literature from the same, and a BA in French from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She has served as a field representative for the Oregon Federation of Teachers (AFT), executive director of the Oregon Community College Association, and executive director of the Oregon State Bar. She is married and lives in Salem, Oregon. In 2014, the U. S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Burwell v Hobby Lobby. She was incensed. “Since when did a ‘corporation' get to use its religious beliefs to dictate what health care a woman could receive?,” she stated. She decided to write a book on atheism and the harm religion has done to women. A friend introduced her to Dr Peter Boghossian at PSU (A Manual for Creating Atheists) and the rest is history. The book is an anthology of personal essays from women of all ages who have left religion. It has been published by Pitchstone Publishing. She has a website, a Facebook page, a YouTube Channel, and a Twitter account (@karen_garst). View the slides at http://www.slideshare.net/bchumanist/karen-garst-from-goddess-to-god Recorded at the Friday, September 9, 2016 meeting of the UBC Freethinkers in Vancouver. Learn more at http://www.bchumanist.ca Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. Subscribe & leave a review on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play. Intro music: We are all connected instrumental - Symphony of Science www.symphonyofscience.com Links: http://www.faithlessfeminist.com https://www.facebook.com/faithlessfeminist/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1nTsyWLXJWhXBaED8cOekg

More than 1.6 million teachers are members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the second largest teachers' union in the country. But how does this organization feel about technology's role in the classroom? EdSurge got the insider's perspective and sat down with AFT vice president Mary Cathryn Ricker to chat edtech, charters and more on the EdSurge podcast in this special "EdSurge On Air Extra."

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), shares her thoughts on how to improve the teaching profession and why we need more excellent teachers in this country.

We hear it all the time: teachers feel disrespected by principals; principals feel disrespected by superintendents; superintendents feel dissed by local school boards; school boards feel discounted by the feds; early child- hood educators feel dismissed by the rest of the education community; and parents feel marginalized by all levels of professional educators. - Why do so many educators feel disrespected? What can be done about it? We start with principals and teachers. Gail Connelly is Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Kathleen Hoffman is Teacher & Spokesperson for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Stephen Sawchuk is an assistant editor for Education Week. He is the senior writer of Joining Forces, a recent special report on the topic of labor-management collaboration.