Labor & Employment Law

Wisconsin NEA Local Partners with State Fed in Solidarity Agreement

By Mike Hall

The 840 members of the Janesville (Wis.) Education Association (JEA) voted to affiliate with the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and the Rock County Central Labor Council.

JEA President David Parr calls the affiliation “an exciting new partnership.”

Through the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and the Rock County Central Labor Council, Janesville educators are standing in solidarity with other working people on the issues that impact our community. We intend to take an active role within both organizations.

The JEA is the fourth National Education Association (NEA) local in Wisconsin to affiliate with the AFL-CIO. The others represent educators in Beloit, Kenosha and Madison.

In 2006, the AFL-CIO and NEA reached a Labor Solidarity Partnership agreement that allows NEA locals to affiliate with the AFL-CIO on the national, state and local levels. The program is supported by the AFT, a longtime AFL-CIO affiliate.

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby says having the JEA “at the table” will help “serve the interests of all workers.”

Education professionals have something unique and valuable to contribute to the on-going struggle of working families for economic and social justice?and for an increased quality of life in our local communities and our state.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 04, 2010 (boomark / email).