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House GOP Passes Tax Bill Devastating to Working Families | Statement by Karen Strickland, President

November 16, 2017

Statement by AFT Washington President on
Tax Reform Bill Passed Today by U.S. House 

 

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

Testimony of Karen Strickland, AFT Washington President, on Title IX Regulations at a U.S. Department of Education Hearing, Oct. 2017
 
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 by Karen Strickland on the Anniversary of Executive Order 9066

January 16, 2017

“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

 

June 16, 2016
For immediate release
 
Contact:  Karen Strickland, President, 206-326-0685
 
STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF GREEN RIVER COLLEGE PRESIDENT
by Karen Strickland, President of AFT Washington
 
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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Day 3, Last Day of Faculty Strike

To thank everyone who stood with them in spirit and in person on the picket lines, the Green River College faculty union is inviting everyone to a community rally at 3:30 PM today at the main campus east entrance, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn 98092-3622. Members from other unions, legislators, students, faculty, and AFT Washington staff will be there to support the faculty. There will be music, dancing, and community! Come join them!

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Green River College Faculty Strike on Monday

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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Students, Community & Labor Stand Together to Stop Cuts

May 12, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

Rally to take place at 3 PM to call attention to closing academic programs, reducing student services, and giving faculty “pink slips”

Renton – Community activists, labor, and students will gather this Saturday, May 14, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Renton Technical College, Bldg. C. The purpose is to highlight the need to reinvest in our students, our faculty, and our communities and to recognize the role of higher education in redressing institutional racism and racial inequities that impact teaching and learning experiences for employees and students of color. Community and technical colleges provide greater access to higher education for lower income, first-generation, and students of color. Nearly half (42%) of students who attend two-year colleges are students of color, according to data from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ 2014 Fall Enrollment Report.

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Education Union Endorses State Sen. Jayapal for Congress

NEWS RELEASE | March 28, 2016

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Washington is pleased to endorse State Senator Pramila Jayapal for the 7th Congressional District race.

“Senator Jayapal is an unwavering and effective leader who advocates for public education, for workers’ rights, including the right to organize, and for human rights,” said Karen Strickland, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in Washington State.

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