AFT Financial Disclosures Shed Light on Contributions to Partisan Politics

posted by: Colin | February 15, 2011, 07:30 PM

It is important to distinguish the fact that this money is not from the AFT political action committee, rather directly comprised of AFT member dues. Despite claims from the union that member dues stay local, the complete list speaks volumes about where member dues are going.

Among the shocking contributions, financial support was given to groups such as the shamed community group ACORN, a group that promotes the foreign policy of Secretary Clinton, and several big labor foundations and policy organizations.

While the money the AFT spends is not as high as the larger NEA, the contributions highlight the AFT's commitment to big labor. Unlike the NEA, the AFT rarely sent contributions directly to ballot initiative campaigns rather focused funding on other unions and union coalition groups.

It would be safe to say that the NEA finds it more beneficial to spend member dues on partisan political ballot initiatives that prevent reforms while the AFT prefers to focus on lifting up other unions. Together the NEA and AFT spend countless millions of member dues on a hard lined liberal agenda despite the political preferences of their members.

Fed up? At AAE we pride ourselves on operating on a lean budget to exclusively spend membership dues on liability insurance and professional benefits. We do not support partisan politics and do not take positions on issues unrelated to education. Let a teacher know that they do have a choice. Join AAE today.

Take a moment to peruse the list for yourself. Would you want your money going to these groups?

ACORN - $22,770

Alliance for Retired Americans - $6,500

American Friends of the Yitzhak Rabin Center - $11,000

American Labor Studies Center - $5,000

The American Prospect - $100,000

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance - $5,000

Blue Green Alliance Foundation - $81,995

Center for American Progress - $25,000

Center for Citizenship Education (Mongolia) - $17,025

Center for Tax and Budget Accountability - $100,000

Child Labor Coalition - $5,000

Children's Defense Fund - $7,000