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Statement on GOP's Higher Ed Reauthorization

For release: Dec. 1, 2017

Washington, D.C. - AFT President Randi Weingarten and United University Professions President Frederick Kowal issued a statement today condemning House Republicans’ plan to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. According to the statement, “This is not how we, as a nation, should reauthorize crucial civil rights legislation. We will fight it tooth and nail, and we will work with responsible members of Congress to design a real bill that puts students first, not unaccountable for-profit corporations.”

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House GOP Passes Tax Bill Devastating to Working Families

For release: November 16, 2017

Tukwila, WA -- The Republican-controlled House has once again demonstrated its firm determination to worsen the economic stability of our members and their families. All four of our GOP congressmembers — U.S. Representatives Reichert, Herrera Beutler, Newhouse, and McMorris Rodgers — voted along party lines to pass the House tax reform bill.

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Testimony on Rollback of Title IX Sexual Assault Protection to U.S. Dept. of Education

For release: October 12, 2017
 
Tukwila, WA - For decades women and allies have fought to end sexual assault. In spite of the courageous testimony from many survivors, legislative advocacy to protect the rights of survivors, increased enforcement of laws against sexual assault and efforts to raise awareness and educate the public, we continue to live in a country in which it is estimated that 20% of women and 6% of men will be sexually assaulted while at college.
 
 
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Statement on White Supremacist Violence in Charlottesville, VA

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For release: August 13, 2017

Tukwila, WA - The torches, Nazi salutes and flags, weapons, and racist words expressed by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, this weekend are yet more incidents signaling that institutionalized and individual racism is alive and well in our country. The terrorist act of a young man resulting in the death of Heather Heyer and the injuries of 18 others demands that we finally, fully acknowledge the extreme threat posed by white supremacy. from Karen Strickland, President of AFT Washington, AFL-CIO

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Statement by Karen Strickland on the Anniversary of Executive Order 9066

For release: January 16, 2017

Tukwila, WA - “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." This quote, initially stated long ago either by Edmund Burke or George Santayana,  seems especially relevant today, as the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 approaches. Executive Order 9066 was President F. D. Roosevelt’s order to incarcerate roughly 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII . . .

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Statement by Randi Weingarten on the Nomination of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education

November 23, 2016

Weingarten on Nomination of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education

WASHINGTON—In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos to lead the Department of Education, AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement: “The president-elect, in his selection of Betsy DeVos, has chosen the most ideological, anti-public education nominee put forward since President Carter created a Cabinet-level Department of Education. [see full statement]

Statement About Resignation of Green River College President

For release: June 16, 2016

Tukwila, WA - Today’s announcement provides some relief and opens up possibilities for the students, faculty and staff of Green River College and the broader community. Our hope is that faculty, along with the entire college community, can now move forward - building trust, problem solving collaboratively to address the college’s financial reality, and continuing to provide the outstanding educational opportunities the community has come to rely on.
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Three-day Strike at Green River College Ends With Big Impact

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For release: June 16, 2016

Tukwila, WA - Stand up! Fight back! That's just what the faculty at Green River College did despite the hostility, retaliation, and threats from the college president and the board of trustees. The three-day strike ended May 25, and it had a huge impact.

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Day 3, Last Day of Faculty Strike

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For release: May 25, 2016

Tukwila, WA - Stand up, fight back! And that's just what the faculty at Green River College did despite the hostility, retaliation, and threats from the college president and the board of trustees. Wednesday is day three of their strike against unfair labor practices, and the strike has had a huge impact on the college. It's like a ghost town at the main campus.


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Green River College Faculty Strike on Monday

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For release: May 20th, 2016

Tukwila, WA - Green River United Faculty Coalition Local 2195 has called a 3-day strike which begins on Monday, May 23, and ends on Wednesday, May 25. The strike will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM at all four college campuses: the main campus in Auburn, downtown Auburn annex, Kent campus at the Kent Commons, and the Enumclaw campus. A press conference will be held at 10 AM on Monday at the east entrance of the main campus, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA.

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