Education

Union Basics

October 30, 2002 1 min read
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The National Education Association, the largest union in the United States, and the American Federation of Teachers have many resources at their disposal to try to shape education policy.

NEA AFT
Founded 1857 1916
Headquarters Washington Washington
Annual budget* $267 million $110 million
Political action committee spending in 2001-02, as of Sept. 30*
$3.9 million $4.2 million
Federal lobbying expenditures, 2001*
$1.1 million $938,868
Number of members 2.7 million 1.2 million
Number of teacher members 1.9 million 600,000
Number of state affiliates 51 37
Number of local affiliates 14,000 4,000
Number of paid national staff members 565 290
Professions represented Teachers and others working within pre-K-12, collegiate, and other education systems
Teachers and others working within pre-K-12 and collegiate systems, nurses and other health-care workers, and public employees

* Data for national organizations only.

SOURCES: National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Federal Election Commission, and Secretary of the U.S. Senate

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