National Teachers' Unions Outline Plan for Single Body

Following are excerpts from the proposed blueprint for a merged teachers' union issued last week by leaders of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers:

The New Organization will be rooted in the commitment to improving the well-being of members and the communities they serve that characterizes both the AFT and NEA. The New Organization will be committed to helping affiliates in all jurisdictions maintain their current organizations and organize new members.

Education employees will be the core constituency, but the New Organization will also recognize that both the AFT and NEA state affiliates currently include as members professional and technical employees in state and local government and health care. These members joined us because they were attracted by the service, professionalism, and democracy the AFT and NEA traditions represent. The New Organization will consider every member a valued asset, and every working member will enjoy full membership rights and full services at every...