This summer, the Oregon Nurses Association experienced a number of successful new union organizing drives across the state, including efforts by nurses at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City and technical professionals at CHI St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. In August, ONA also worked with the AFT to help bring doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants at PeaceHealth in Eugene under the union tent.

After months of anticipation, the Biden administration has announced it intends to cancel $10,000 of federal student debt for individuals who earn less than $125,000 a year ($250,000 for a couple filing taxes jointly) and up to $20,000 for low-income borrowers who received Pell grants. It will also extend the student loan payment pause implemented at the beginning of the pandemic to Dec. 31. Thousands of AFT members, and millions of Americans, will be affected.

Near the close of the AFT’s 2022 election, the union’s three national officers were honored to be re-elected and to serve along with the 43 vice presidents elected to comprise the union’s executive council. They are committed to raising AFT members’ voices, and they know that together we will accomplish what is impossible to do alone.

Rising star Val Demings is running against anti-choice, pro-gun incumbent Marco Rubio for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, championing AFT priorities: ending gun violence, a woman’s right to choose, and the right to vote. AFT President Randi Weingarten asked cheering delegates: “Are we going to help her win?” The answer—and control of the U.S. Senate—will be riding on getting out the vote in Florida in November.

Santiago Mayer became old enough to vote just six months ago, but he is already a national leader in the get-out-the-vote movement. On Sunday, this co-founder of Voters of Tomorrow—a nonprofit group designed to engage young people in the voting process—stood before thousands of cheering AFT members to describe just how powerful his generation can be. “With our rights on the line, Gen Z is about to deliver a blow from which the far right will never be able to recover.”

Whether it’s fighting for working families in the halls of Congress or setting straight a former president of the United States, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has long been a champion for what is right, and remains a true friend of the AFT and the communities we serve. That’s why the AFT presented Pelosi with the AFT Women’s Rights Award during our union’s 2022 convention in Boston.

The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, a minister and civil rights leader, shared his grandfather’s astounding determination to vote, which he has captured in a compelling—and free—short film, Otis’ Dream. He moved AFT delegates to tears on Saturday, then had them cheering as he rallied everyone to the cause of fighting today’s rampant voter suppression. Watch his family’s story with your students, family and friends to help get out the vote.

The AFT’s engagement in community building and dedication to child welfare extends beyond our borders. AFT President Randi Weingarten visited Poland this year at the invitation of Polish Teachers’ Trade Union President Sławomir Broniarz to meet with teachers, students and Ukrainian refugees. Weingarten also met Olha Chabaniuk, vice president of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine. Chabaniuk spoke to AFT members in Boston on July 16 about the devastation of the war and her hope for preserving democracy.

The Saturday morning session focused on working together to make sure all children have opportunities to learn and thrive in environments that are safe, healthy and supportive—not political battlefields. Delegates heard from National PTA Executive Director Nathan Monell on how to build bridges between families and teachers, and from AFT President Randi Weingarten and community activists on the AFT’s new Powerful Partnerships Institute to support affiliates’ parent and community engagement programs.

In a Special Order of Business, delegates unanimously adopted a new report from the AFT Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? What America Must Do to Attract and Retain the Educators and School Staff Our Students Need examines the root causes of snowballing shortages and spells out practical solutions that will improve teaching, working and learning conditions.