Will an organized opposition to the so-called 'Progressive Caucus' finally emerge at this month's AFT convention?
The American Federation of Teachers has adapted somewhat since its 2010 convention in Seattle, when the featured keynote speaker was billionaire union busting Bill Gates (above during the convention). At that time, the AFT locals in Pittsburgh, Tampa and Denver were also receiving millions of dollars from Gates -- with the blessings of AFT's national leadership -- to promote merit pay schemes and teacher ratings based on test scores. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt. As the critique of the policies of the leadership of the 1.6 million member American Federation of Teachers (AFT) continues to grow across the USA, a question arises on the eve of the union's national convention (which is scheduled to begin on July 18): Will a coherent and serious national opposition finally emerge to the so-called "Progressive Caucus" which has dominated the union for four decades?
