Today in labor history: First U.S. public school established
On May 20, 1639, the first American public elementary school was established. This was arguably the beginning of the idea of free public education for all.
AFT exposes for-profit charter school industry
AFT is launching a campaign to expose the for-profit charter school industry as more interested in profits for its CEOs and stockholders than it is in teaching kids.
Faculty in tough negotiations at Harris-Stowe State U
"It often feels like students are an afterthought and professors are an inconvenience."
From wealth gap to voting rights, labor takes a stand
From opposing "fast-track" trade treaty bargaining authority to restoring and expanding voting rights, the AFL-CIO Executive Council committed the labor movement to specific stands on a select group of high-profile issues.
National Labor College to close
"I am saddened to report that the Board of Trustees directed me and the college's officers to develop a plan to close the college," said the institution's president.
The teacher gap: more students and fewer teachers
Over the last 5 years, government employment has dropped by 657,000 as a result of the Great Recession's effects. It's worth considering how much of that drop has hit public K-12 schools.
Today in labor history: 50th anniversary of Chicago public schools boycott
On October 22, 1963, a coalition of civil rights groups organized Freedom Day, a mass boycott and demonstration against segregated schools and inadequate resources for black students.
Unions sue agency for pulling City College of San Francisco accreditation
Teachers' unions and others here are suing an accreditation agency over its decision to revoke accreditation of the City College of San Francisco.
University workers call off strike
In a startling last-minute reversal yesterday, workers at several Oregon universities called off a strike set to begin on Monday.
Today in labor history: Eisenhower orders troops to integrate Little Rock schools
Several months earlier following orders of then Governor Orval Faubus, the state's national guard blocked the entrance of the "Little Rock Nine" to the city's Central High school.
