McElroy Elected New AFT President
John Kerry Speaks to Delegates and Rejects
'Empty Rhetoric' on Education
AFT convention delegates elected Edward J. McElroy as the union's new president, along with a new secretary-treasurer, executive vice president and a slate of 39 vice presidents. Elected with McElroy for the two additional top officer slots in balloting held July 16 were Nat LaCour as AFT secretary-treasurer and Antonia "Toni" Cortese, an AFT vice president from New York, as the union's new executive vice president. The convention was held in Washington, D.C. from July 14-17.
The political landscape and policy discussions on education, labor and healthcare issues took center stage at the convention. Highlights included a farewell address by outgoing AFT president Sandra Feldman, speeches by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), best-selling author Azar Nafisi, and debate on a wide range of policy resolutions.
Kerry Rejects 'Empty Rhetoric' on Education
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry detailed his vision for the nation's future--one based on hope and a belief that values without deeds are no values at all. "Politicians who talk about valuing morality and personal responsibility ought to start by keeping their own promises," Kerry told AFT convention delegates. "Values are not just talk. They're about what we live. They're about the choices we make, the values we champion."
Delegates Adopt New Financial Requirements for Affiliates
Convention delegates on July 15 approved several constitutional amendments that tighten affiliate and financial review requirements. Delegates approved a new article, "Affiliate Audit and Financial Review Requirements," in the AFT constitutional bylaws, which stipulates that affiliates with 1,000 or more members (excluding retirees) must submit annual audits prepared by an independent CPA (certified public accountant) and include a letter certifying that the audit has been presented at a regular or special meeting of the AFT affiliate's governing body and made available to members.
For affiliates with fewer than 1,000 members, the financial review may be submitted either as an audit prepared by an independent CPA or by an internal audit committee. In all cases, if an audit or financial review is not submitted to the AFT within six months of the close of the affiliate's fiscal year, the AFT may conduct the audit or financial review at the affiliate's expense.
Delegates also approved an amendment authorizing the national union's officers to invoke an emergency administratorship "in situations requiring immediate action for the purpose of securing and safeguarding an affiliate's assets and vital records from immediate threat" provided that two-thirds of the executive council approve the action within five business days.
Rep. Miller Blasts Republicans on Higher Education Act
The current Higher Education Act reauthorization process in Congress has clearly revealed who AFT's friends are. At the higher education breakfast Thursday morning, delegates welcomed a solid friend of long duration, Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), ranking member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He analyzed the legislation, which is on hold and unlikely to pass in this congressional session.
"We have two different views of higher education on this bill," said Miller. "We have the Republicans who ignore the needs of middle- and low-income Americans and ignore what the closing-off of access would mean to families and society." Democrats, on the other hand, "think we ought to be looking at this from the standpoint of families and students."
Republicans want to freeze Pell grants--which have lost their purchasing power--and increase the indebtedness of students, he charged. They also seek to kill the direct loan program and eliminate loan consolidation measures that currently help students keep their loan repayment costs at lower interest rates. "What this leads to is more students working more hours, assuming more debt and spending more years trying to finish college," he noted.
Miller noted that the degree to which lending institutions should benefit from federal student-aid programs--to the tune of billions of dollars--is a legitimate public policy issue. Organizations like the AFT, he noted, have refused to accept the Republican view, "and that's why the bill is stuck."
For a complete description of all Convention actions and activities visit the AFT web site.
CNJSCL Locals' attendees were: Robert Arey (NJCU), Christine Carmody Arey (NJCU), Lori Block (Rowan), Roseann Conway (TCNJ), John DeBrizzi (NJCU), Nicholas DiObilda (Rowan), Ralph Edelbach (TCNJ), Eduoard Eloi (Ramapo), Rose Glassberg (Rowan Retirees), Dierdre Glenn Paul (MSU), Richard Grupenhoff (Rowan), Theresa Guerriere (NJCU), Kathleen Mary Henderson (KUAFF), Antoinette Jennings (Rowan), Alma Johnson-Laster (TESC), Lillian Kartischko (KUAFF), John Krimmel (TCNJ), Harold Lucias (Rowan), Alicia Malone (TESC), Mel Moyer (Rowan-Retirees), Julie Peterson (Rowan), George Pierson (KUAFF), Faye Robinson (Rowan), Arlene Schor (KUAFF), Zelda Shuster (NJCU), Karen Siefring (Rowan), Howard Singer (NJCU), Ivan Steinberg (NJCU), Ella Strattis (Rowan), John Tooker (KUAFF), Rubina Vohra (NJCU), and SteveYoung (CNJSCL).
Online coverage of the AFT convention was prepared by the AFT editorial department and parts were used on this page. McElroy Photograph on front page and of Rep. Miller on this page are by Michael Campbell, Ray Crowell and Russ Curtis. All other photos are by Steve Young.
