555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 879-4400
www.aft.org

President – Randi Weingarten
Secretary-Treasurer – Fedrick Ingram

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was founded in 1916 and represents 1.6 million members in more than 3,000 locals. Five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of members who work in public and private schools: pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; and nurses and other healthcare professionals. In addition, the AFT represents approximately 80,000 early childhood educators and nearly 250,000 retiree members. Many AFT members work in the nation’s largest cities, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Washington, DC, Miami, Boston, Cleveland and St. Louis.

AFT administers more than 150 contracts for its members. In addition to advocating for improved pay and benefits for its members, the AFT and its locals are also concerned about the quality of services members provide. In recent years, the union has focused increased attention on professional development and other training opportunities for members, as well as labor-management partnerships that seek to improve schools and other public services.