The National Education Association Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA) is the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly 3 million members. Every year, delegates come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, and listen to speeches from NEA leaders and other prominent educators and activists.
This year’s RA took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where 87 CEA members joined nearly 7,000 educators from around the nation. The RA convened on July 4 and delegates engaged in debate on several new business items, approved a new policy statement on AI, heard from candidates running for national office, and were presented with the strategic budget.
On July 5, one of NEA’s staff unions went on strike and picketed outside the Philadelphia Convention Center where the NEA RA was being held. CEA delegates to the NEA RA are committed to the work of the association and found union-friendly ways to continue that work.
“CEA’s commitment to supporting workers’ rights and respecting the picket line is essential in upholding the core values of our union,” says CEA President Kate Dias. “While we remain steadfast in our support for workers’ rights, and not crossing picket lines, we also acknowledge the importance of continuing the critical work of our union.”
CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talks with Oklahoma Education Association delegates about the need to repeal WEP/GPO.
Connecticut delegates carried out the work of the association by actively participating in caucus meetings at their hotel and debating and voting on vital measures and new business items. The state caucus positions on the new business items will guide our NEA Directors when they are asked to vote on those items in the future. Voting for candidates and the budget will be done through the mail.
“I am extremely proud of the work done by our CEA delegates. We took this time to deliberate national issues and then focus on our efforts to organize around special education, safe and compassionate schools, and supporting public education. Our members ensured that our responsibilities and commitments were met, without compromising our principles or the union values we hold dear,” says Dias.
In addition to working within their own caucus, CEA members continued their strong advocacy on the repeal of the WEP/GPO penalties in discussions with other NEA members. CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey visited the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting and several state caucuses to educate NEA members and ask for their support. The time delegates took in Philadelphia to engage in a national conversation on WEP/GPO repeal will enhance CEA’s WEP/GPO initiatives to create a nationwide campaign to repeal these laws that hurt teachers.
You can do your part to help repeal WEP/GPO by clicking here to send a message to your federal representatives.
“We understand the importance of collective bargaining and hope the parties return to the table to settle and heal,” Dias says. “Bargaining is hard work and can be messy; we all know that. We are stronger together, and together we will make a meaningful impact for our union and for the rights of all workers.”
