Statement from Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers, and Merlene Martin, President, Oregon School Employees Association, on
OSEA Affiliation with AFT

On Feb. 5, after celebrating 70 years as a successful, independent state union, the 20,000-member Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) overwhelmingly voted to affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the largest affiliation of an independent union in AFT history.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This vote is the culmination of a decade of mutual respect and cooperation between the AFT and OSEA. It formalizes what has always been a close relationship between our unions, and allows us to take our partnership to a new level.  

The affiliation between OSEA and the AFT will magnify the strengths of each organization. OSEA is a powerful, effective organization whose 20,000 members will make the AFT an even stronger union. Likewise, OSEA will benefit from the expertise, resources and political influence of its new national union. This partnership will enhance the ability of our two unions and the Oregon AFL-CIO to fight for our members’ rights in the workplace, and to improve the quality of services to their students and their communities.

Working families, schools and communities will face many challenges and opportunities in the future. The AFT and OSEA look forward to meeting these challenges and taking advantage of these opportunities together, building upon an already productive working relationship.

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