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Introducing the Indiana Federation of Teachers
BackgroundThe Indiana Federation of Teachers (IFT) was chartered on February 16, 1938 as the Indiana Council of Teachers Unions. The first AFT local in Indiana was the already existing Gary Teachers Union which chartered with AFT in 1916. AFT/IFT, AFL-CIO represents K-12 teachers, special and vocational education teachers, and school related employees. Professors at IU, Purdue and Ball State are also members of the AFT/IFT. Other LINKS of interest: American Federation of Teachers
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The IFT staff provides service and assistance at the direction of local presidents. Located primarily in Indianapolis staff is involved in various services that include by are not limited to the following
Together with your local leaders, IFT staff can: Staff will work to meet the needs of your local including training your leaders for maximum effectiveness and independence.
Additionally, IFT represents your interests in government agencies such as the:
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Like the AFT, IFT is governed by its members through an annual convention of democratically elected delegates. Federal law governs this process. The policies determined by the members at the convention are implemented by an elected executive board and carried out by an employed staff. Local unions are autonomous and democratically make all their own decisions. mandates are never set by the state or national organizations. The organizations with which we are affiliated exist to serve locals. AFT/IFT members establish the union’s policies and priorities at each level of the union--local, state, and national. A tradition of local union autonomy within the AFT-IFT means that many important decisions, such as negotiations proposals, are made by the members they directly affect--not by distant bureaucracies. Key elements in local strength are:
Effective and continuing training opportunities,
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Education reform continues to be an IFT priority in addition to our traditional commitment to collective bargaining. IFT locals were among the first in the state to explore new relationships with school boards. We advocate an equal partnership for teachers in the decision making process which will produce the schools of the future through teacher empowerment. Locals with especially viable programs in educational issues, professional development, and other collaborative efforts include Anderson, Gary, and Hammond. Visit the Educational Issues and Union Leadership Institute (ULI) pages at AFT.
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Educational policy in Indiana is largely affected by the Indiana General Assembly and numerous state boards and agencies, like the Indiana state Board of Education, which have decision making power over teachers and schools. Influencing what happens in the halls of the State House and conference rooms of the Indiana Government Center is a big part of the IFT’s agenda. Our lobbyists work to make educational improvements a reality by making your voice and views heard. Our presence at the Indiana State House affects important issued like charter schools, vouchers, teacher due process rights and school funding. IFT members are kept informed and involved via The Capitol Insider, legislative hotlines, legislative meetings, reports, position papers, and on the web. Likewise, the IFT monitors the actions of state governing boards and agencies, making sure that teacher concerns are heard and considered. The IFT's committee on Political Education (IFT-COPE) serves as the political arm of our organization. IFT-COPE activities span the election spectrum, affecting races for local school board, the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. Our affiliation with the Indiana AFL-CIO strengthens and enhances our political clout. IFT's lobbying and political activity help you to make the connection between politics, legislation and your contract. (Other LINKS of interest: U.S. House of Representatives; U.S. Senate) IFT, AFT, and AFL-CIO dues are set at the respective conventions by delegates who are elected from their locals. Local dues are determined by each local unit. Total dues depend upon the aggregate of these obligations. Roughly, the total annual dues approximate 1.5% of a beginning teacher’s salary. For 2008-2010, the recommended minimum dues per teacher in Indiana is about $400.
IFT's dues structure reinforces local autonomy through a strong local treasury with a significant amount of annual dues dollars being kept at the local level. Locals determine goals, set priorities, and develop the union agenda of their choosing which is supported by their local treasury.
Besides local and state services described elsewhere on this site, visit AFT Benefits Plus to get the most from your membership. Back to the top Back Home |