A meeting was held by the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality to discuss the crises in public education and the threats to democratic rights. The meeting focused on the failures of the teachers’ unions, particularly the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), to adequately defend educators and students against unsafe pandemic conditions and broader attacks on public education. Speakers criticized the unions for prioritizing political alliances with the Democratic Party over the safety and well-being of their members, citing their support for reopening schools without adequate safety measures.
The meeting also highlighted the broader context of the attacks on public education, including budget cuts, privatization efforts, and the suppression of dissenting voices. Participants emphasized the need for educators and students to organize independently of the established unions, advocating for a rank-and-file movement that prioritizes the interests of teachers and students. They called for building a network of independent committees to fight for safe schools, defend democratic rights, and oppose all forms of social inequality. The meeting served as a call to action for educators and students to take control of their working conditions and educational environment through independent organization and collective action.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/17/rlub-m17.html