News

Weingarten launches new campaign: ‘Real Solutions for Kids and Communities’

Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten addressing TEACH 2023

The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.

Randi Weingarten at a Massachusetts high school

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

Join Locals 1825 and1826 on April 20 at 4 p.m as we march in solidarity to voice our concerns and tell our policymakers that the state of the Territory's education IS NOT up to standards. Click here to view press release and see how you can join the cause.

Local 1825 is partnering with the V.I. Department of Education and V.I. Department of Health to educate its members, students and community on vaccination efficacy. Please join us every second Wednesday at 6 p.m. to get updates and voice your concerns regarding vaccination in our schools. Click here to join the conversation.

Meeting ID: 853 9498 3350

Password: 453440

IT'S TIME FOR SOME ACTION!

A day of Action informational demonstration is planned for April 20 at 4 p.m. We’re asking members to join President Jones and Local 1825’s Executive Board on the front line at Emancipation Garden as we march to Government House to show solidarity, as well as voice our growing concerns about our public school system. Local 1826 will do the same in St. Croix. Flyers will be provided to members via e-mail and at the rally.

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

Local 1825's "Support a Black Business Night Out" Closes BHM with Good Times and Gov. Bryan's Pledge

Local 1825's initiative to encourage union solidarity, boost community awareness and party with a purpose closed the last weekend of Black History Month with flying colors. "Support a Black Business Night Out," held at Paradise Bistro, Bar & Grill, was a huge success, and President Leontyne Jones said members "understood the assignment" when she petitioned them to "show up and show out."

"This couldn't have been such a great success without the input and assistance of our board, supporters and most importantly, the members of Local 1825," Jones said as the event concluded. "Our members are

Meeting ID: 853 9498 3350

Password: 453440

In-Person Learning Delayed Two Weeks in the Territory in Effort to Mitigate Transmission

Happy New Year to Local 1825! I hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday. While the Union supports the safe return to in-person learning, we prioritize students and staff safety as the government plans to open its doors on January 24th. The Local applauds the government's effort to slow the mitigation of the virus by postponing in-person learning for two weeks.

The need for our students to be in school is evident. However, as the Omicron variant surges in the Virgin Islands, we must continue to follow CDC protocols to mitigate transmission, including regular testing, temperature checks