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About the AFT

Learn more about the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers and is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO.

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AFT Mission Statement

The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do.

History of the DFT

1916- Faced with salary cuts and "yellow dog" contract, Chicago teachers take first steps to form national teachers union. Delegates from locals in Gary, Ind., New York, N.Y., Oklahoma City, OK., Scranton, PA. and Washington, D.C. meet and found American Federation of Teachers. Month later, union is chartered by American Federation of Labor (AFL).
1920’s- Early attempt to organize union of Detroit teachers fails when city’s daily newspapers launch media attack on teacher "unionism" and principals threaten instant dismissal of teachers who dare to join up.
1931 - On February 24, a feisty band of Detroit teachers, ignoring threats of reprisals from school administration, is awarded charter as Detroit Federation of Teachers Local 231.
 
 
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History of the AFT

Learn the history of the AFT, including the union's founding in Chicago in 1916, its affiliation with the AFL-CIO, its battles for workers and human rights and its continued work to uphold the proud traditions on which the union was created.

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