More than 350 AFT higher education members from across the country met in Seattle March 5-7 for a conference heralded as "the greatest gathering of higher education unionists ever." The conference marked a number of firsts. Most significantly, it was held to coincide with the national conference of the National Education Association higher education division and provided opportunities for joint plenary sessions and policy brainstorming.

"Breaking New Ground" was the AFT conference theme, and it was all about marshalling organizing techniques to regain the high ground after years of steady attacks on who we are, what we do and how we do it. As AFT vice president and United University Professions/State University of New York president William Scheuerman noted in opening remarks, what we’re dealing with is a political ideology that diminishes or ends the commitment of public funds for public services in general and public higher education in particular. Our response must be increased effectiveness in organizing, political action and bargaining. Many of the sessions dealt with political action, "our top priority this year," said Scheuerman.

AFT leaders shared winning strategies during sessions on collective bargaining, expanding opportunities for professional staff, part-time/adjunct and contingent faculty, and strategic planning at the local level. The high points of the conference included two joint plenary sessions with NEA—one featuring a discussion between Nat LaCour and NEA president Reg Weaver, and the other highlighting the Irwin Polishook lecture, delivered this year by Fred van Leeuwen, general secretary of Education International. The conference also featured authors and articles appearing in American Academic, the AFT's new higher education journal. Presenters discussed the influence of the market model on areas of higher education such as research, the humanities, and the academic workforce. [Lindsay Albert]

[March 22, 2004]