1857 – Birth of NEA 43 educators from 8 states and D.C. gathered in Philadelphia to form the National Teachers Association (NTA)

FOUNDING PRINCIPLES Improve conditions under which teachers work Serve as a united voice to promote the cause of public education

1903 Teachers demonstrate at NEA convention about teachers’ poor economic conditions, and need for tenure and pensions

1905 NEA releases first national report on economic conditions for teachers

1870’s – 1930’s NEA was the only organized forum for higher education leaders to meet and discuss their concerns NEA supported the land grant colleges and universities under Morill Act of 1862 NEA created a Department of Higher Education in 1872

HIGHER ED INITIATIVES AND VICTORIES Adoption of preliminary resolution on the “Freedom of the Teacher” “Academic Freedom” resolution replaced the 1928 resolution Condemned loyalty oaths Affirmed Fundamental Freedoms 1968, 1971 and Opposed censorship of instructional materials, teaching techniques and opinions

1954 NEA helped create the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, advocating for uniform national standards for the training of America’s public school teachers

1964 NEA lobbied for passage of the Civil Rights Act, protecting against on-the- job harassment and discrimination, and allowing victims of employment discrimination to collect damages

NEA AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Early 1960’s, NEA began to respond to growing unrest over salaries and conditions of employment Appointed a task force of NEA members to study the problem Task force recommended that NEA become an agent for members who wished to bargain collectively

NEA’S TRANSFORMATION Became one of the largest and most powerful unions in the United States Developed one of the most effective legislative and political programs in the country Expanded professional development and instructional improvement programs

HIGHER ED AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING From 1960’s to 1980’s there was a dramatic rush in organizing 2-yr and 4-yr colleges and universities

1980 Education Support Professionals (ESP) granted full membership rights within NEA

Where is NEA heading now ? NEA is our national voice on issues of public schools, working conditions for public school employees, professional standards and higher education issues. NEA Leaders and members set the goals and direction. What should NEA be addressing next?

WEAC formed even before NEA! 1853 – Wisconsin Teachers Association (later to become WEAC) 1857 – National Education Association

Over time, our membership increased WEAC began with just eight educators. Reached a membership high of over 96,000 in Today WEAC still has over 32,000 members.

WEAC’s Mission

WEAC’s mission statement: “Our Union will advocate the ideals of a diverse, democratic society and quality public education. Our Union will promote and advance professional practice, personal growth, as well as the economic welfare and rights of our members.”

Direct and strengthen our union around a defined set of values connected to social justice and grassroots organizing Advance the professions, empowering all educational entities to strive for collaboration and high professional standards Achieve quality wages, benefits, working conditions and collective bargaining rights for all members Engage members across the educational spectrum in building strong local associations Create community support and engage in advocacy for quality public education for all through political action and public relations Members We, as WEAC members, will:

The Early Years of WEAC Prior to 1959, Wisconsin law allowed teachers only to ‘meet and confer’ with their school board.

In Wisconsin’s legislature passed which allowed collective bargaining. The first collective bargaining bill for public sector employees in the nation.

Problems with ( ) Boards didn’t bargain in good faith and teachers had no power to compel them to. Many local associations were governed by administrators… who thus controlled the bargaining These problems produced frustration and strikes!

The Bargaining law didn’t work very well for Teachers Between 1972 and 1977 bargaining for public school teachers had become so hopeless that there were 36 illegal strikes by WEAC- affiliated locals.

1978: ESP become part of WEAC 1978: WEAC officially recognized and embraced ESP membership

Political action resulted in a law which made binding arbitration the mandatory method for resolving bargaining disputes for school employees Between 1978 and 1993 there were no teacher strikes in Wisconsin.

Fast Forward to Act 10 strips Wisconsin public employees of the legal right had since 1959 to negotiate comprehensive contracts. Act 10 takes away “binding arbitration” as the legal method for resolving contracts.

So, what do we do now? No question we lost a lot, but.... WEAC and NEA existed long before we had those legal rights. We are back to using other methods to advocate for our beliefs.

NOT the End!!