AFT Convention Delegates Strengthen National Oversight of Locals

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Delegates to the AFT national convention today adopted several important amendments to its constitution and bylaws that will increase the union’s ability to ensure that AFT locals are fiscally and structurally accountable to their members.

"The amendments passed today by the convention delegates will provide an even greater degree of transparency so that rank-and-file union members can be fully active and knowledgeable participants in their unions," said Edward J. McElroy, AFT secretary-treasurer.

Among the amendments passed are provisions that allow the AFT to invoke an emergency administratorship of an affiliate if the local’s assets and vital records are immediately threatened; strengthen affiliate audit and financial review requirements; and tighten requirements to be an affiliate in good standing.

The amendments passed today are the continuation of a series of actions taken by the AFT to strengthen accountability and provide information to members about their locals’ financial and other operations. Last year, the AFT’s governing body, the Executive Council, initiated a series of policy changes that strengthened the union’s oversight ability, including new procedures for notifying affiliates that are showing signs of financial trouble. Those changes did not require amending the constitution, which can be changed only through a delegate vote at the biennial national convention.

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