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AFT Convention Daily: Friday, July 17, 2026

Randi Weingarten leads a panel of four scholars discussing challenges to our democracy.

Meeting the moment in unprecedented times

Working people today are facing unprecedented challenges to our fundamental rights and to our democracy. But as a panel of scholars who study civics, democratic backsliding, voting rights and authoritarianism told convention attendees on Friday morning, unions have the power we need to meet the moment.

Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers

Defending democracy is crucial in our fight for a better life

In a Friday morning session on democracy, belonging and power, delegates to the AFT’s convention turned their attention to one of the biggest questions facing us: What are we going to do to protect our democracy? Thousands of AFT members are coming together to get out the vote and help ensure November’s elections are free and fair. The stakes could not be higher.

AFT Michigan President Terrence Martin addresses delegates.

Friday afternoon kicks off with an upbeat session on organizing victories

Organizing is the lifeblood of our union—and the inspiring examples offered by AFT state and local leaders on Friday afternoon showed that our union’s heart is beating strong. From Hawaii to Michigan to North Carolina, the AFT is drawing workers who know that no matter what your profession or your road to winning representation, life is better in a union.

Debbie White, president of New Jersey’s Health Professionals and Allied Employees, speaks at a microphone during the collective bargaining session at the AFT’s national convention.

Wins demonstrate the power of collective bargaining and solidarity

Leaders from across the country celebrated historic victories during today’s general session at the AFT’s national convention. The wins ranged from reforms to New York state’s long-criticized Tier 6 pension plan to artificial intelligence job protections and fully funded healthcare benefits—all demonstrating the transformative power of organizing, solidarity and bargaining for the common good.

Randi Weingarten, Tiffany Aliche and Aissa Canchola Bañez sit on stage having a discussion in front of an audience at the AFT convention.

AFT adds new resources to its Fight for Affordability campaign

AFT President Randi Weingarten hosted a panel discussion at the AFT convention general session on July 17 that featured Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at Protect Borrowers, and financial educator Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche. The panel examined the growing affordability crisis and challenged the stigma surrounding financial hardship.

The PSRP breakfast crowd loved the "Motown Diva," Lynn Marie Smith. photo credit: AFT

Breakfasts highlight professional issues and defending democracy

At the AFT convention in Washington, D.C., delegates gathered on Friday morning for breakfasts highlighting issues from tech in healthcare to protecting our democracy. At the Public Employees Jim McGarvey breakfast, Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of Democracy Forward, explained why authoritarian regimes like Trump’s target public employees—and why the courts offer hope. The PSRP breakfast featured members’ stories of facing challenges, especially in these perilous times, and finding joy and strength in unity. At the Higher Education breakfast, education professor and University of Delaware AAUP member Dominique J. Baker spoke about what unionists can do to combat the Trump administration’s attacks on academic freedom. And at the AFT Nurses and Health Professionals breakfast, Katie J. Wells, a senior fellow at the AI Now Institute, urged frontline healthcare workers to scrutinize how artificial intelligence is being used in their workplaces.

A man speaks at a podium, while three other men sit on a panel.

Education International fights the global teacher shortage

To address the shortage of 44 million teachers around the world, leaders from Education International, a global federation of unions representing teachers and education support personnel, discussed ways that AFT members can advocate for much-needed investments in schools.

AFT leaders pose with award recipient Stacey Abrams.

AFT delegates inspired by fighters for opportunity and justice

On Friday afternoon, the AFT honored labor movement trailblazer Lee Saunders, president of AFSCME, and veteran educator Martha Strever for their decades of service and extraordinary contributions to justice, advocacy and public service. And during the Human Rights Luncheon, civil rights leaders discussed the need to fight authoritarianism and to win the 2026 midterm elections.

FEA President Andrew Spar introduces resolutions.

Resolutions focus on protecting the vote and freeing the District of Columbia

On day two of the 2026 AFT convention, delegates passed three resolutions from the Political Action/Legislation Committee. To answer the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine U.S. elections and disenfranchise voters, the AFT committed to protect the vote by advocating for increased equitable access to voter registration and the ballot and removing barriers to democratic participation. Focusing on mobilization, the AFT will also undertake an unprecedented effort to get members and their communities to vote and to combat attempts to rig or steal the upcoming elections. In a resolution to “Free D.C.,” the AFT also committed to support the autonomy of the District of Columbia via statehood and to protect D.C. students, teachers and community members from the oppressive National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement occupations.

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This daily update is produced by the AFT communications department.