A proposed partnership between the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers that's less than a full merger and more like a budding relationship is likely to be considered by delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly in Los Angeles July 1-7.
Following the failure of a merger proposal between the two unions a couple of years ago, members of both unions have been holding discussions for the last four months to develop an alternative plan. Both sides agree that it would have been impossible to craft a formal unification agreement in time for members to vote on the document this summer. Instead, they are recommending that work toward unification be continued and that a formal NEA-AFT Partnership be formed.
The NEA-AFT Partnership would allow each organization to conduct business separately, but would foster a new relationship focused on common interests.
Under the proposal, a joint council comprised of 15 members from each organization would direct the partnership. The council would include the executive committees of both groups, with the remaining members appointed by their respective organizations. The partnership would provide a framework for cooperation between the two organizations on issues of importance in education.
Check out the NEA RA Web site [www.ra2001.org]. It was developed by CTA, the host affiliate.
"This is an attempt to take baby steps toward a formal agreement to form a partnership," says VirginiaAnn G. Shadwick, the higher education representative on CTA's Board of Directors. "In reality, those of us in higher education have been working cooperatively for years," co-sponsoring seminars and working on joint studies on the needs of part-time instructors.
Shadwick says the proposed partnership will probably be the most controversial item to come before the NEA RA. Previous merger talks between the two unions failed when NEA delegates turned down the idea in 1998. Supporters say the partnership could benefit both organizations.
"People are seeing demons that don't exist," says Shadwick.
According to Eric Heins, one of California's representatives on the NEA Board of Directors, "The partnership formalizes what is already happening. It allows both parties to build a relationship."
"It's important," adds Heins, "because in this current political climate of increasing attacks on public education, we need to pool our resources."
Under the proposal, both organizations will maintain their autonomy and will have to bring back any new items to their own boards.
Heins acknowledges that NEA and AFT have had their differences, "but when it comes down to what we fight for, it's very similar. It's time to start working together."
But not everyone supports the partnership.
"The problem I'm hearing from my constituents," says CTA Board Member Larry Carlin, "is how do you make a partnership when one organization is so much bigger than the other? NEA has 2.3 million members while AFT only has 1 million. Why don't they just join us?"
Some members, he adds, "see the partnership as a first step toward merger, and they are absolutely opposed to that. They want nothing to do with the AFL-CIO."
CTA Board Member Mike Green says his constituents also fear that a partnership with AFT could lead to a merger. "The vote in the RA two years ago was really clear on this. More than anything else, the people said 'No' to merger."
"There's a philosophical difference between the two organizations," he explains. "For example, we're more interested in curriculum, and it doesn't appear to us that the Feds are at all interested in curricular areas.
"Our leadership is also very different. We don't feel it is appropriate to have leaders for life."
"Sure, we can talk to each other," he adds. "But as far as being involved with the Feds, we just don't think it's in our best interest."
Dale Martin
