AFT President Weingarten Comments on 2012 Election

WASHINGTON —Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on the 2012 election.

“In races across the country, from electing a pro-working-family majority in the Senate and pro-worker governors to passing the Dream Act in Maryland, the American people went to the polls and voted decisively for shared responsibility and a fair shot at success. The American people sent a powerful message that we expect leaders to make our economy work for working families, rebuild the middle class, fight for good jobs and oppose efforts to strip Americans of their rights.

“The American people said yes, undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children and played by the rules should have access to a college education and a clear path to the American dream, women should have autonomy over their reproductive rights, and people should no longer face discrimination because of who they love. In California and Ohio, voters took a stand to say that investing in public schools is a critical priority, and California voters also rejected a measure to silence the voices of working people. Because of union members’ efforts over the past two years in places like Ohio and Wisconsin to fight against attacks on working people, voters sided with the candidates who understand that good jobs—jobs that enable a middle-class life, many of which are unionized—are key to rebuilding our economy.

“Across the country, AFT members and other union members played a pivotal role in re-electing President Obama and Vice President Biden, expanding the pro-working-family majority in the Senate, sending new House members to Congress and expanding opportunity across the country.”