Education Austin is the labor union for certified and classified employees of the Austin Independent School District. Created in 1999 from the merger of the NEA-affiliated Austin Association of Teachers (AAT) and the AFT-affiliated Austin Federation of Teachers/Allied Education Workers (AFT/AEW).
Education Austin is the first merged local in Texas and is affiliated with the NEA, AFT, TSTA, Texas AFT, and the AFL-CIO. It is by far the largest organization for AISD employees.
Education Austin was elected as the consultation agent for AISD employees in 1999. Education Austin was elected again by AISD employees as their consultation agent in 2003 and 2007.
Education Austin’s full-time president is Ken Zarifis (certified employees); its full-time vice-president is Trasell Underwood (classified employees); its secretary is Gracie Hopkins (Perez Elementary) and its treasurer is Caroline Sweet (Perez Elementary).
National Education Association (NEA) is a National public education union founded in 1857 that currently has 2.7 million members and represents employees in public schools and in higher education. NEA’s President is Rebecca S. Pringle.
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) is a Texas public education union created in 1880 and affiliated with the NEA. TSTA currently has about 65,000 members. TSTA’s President is Ovidia Molina and Vice President is Linda Estrada.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a National public education union founded in 1916 that currently has over 1 million members and represents employees in public schools and higher education as well as nurses and public employees. AFT’s President is Randi Weingarten.
Texas AFT is a Texas public education union created in 1974 and affiliated with the AFT and the AFL-CIO. TFT currently has about 50,000 members. TxAFT’s President is Zeph Capo and Secretary-Treasurer is Ray McMurrey.
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the voluntary federation of America’s unions, representing more than 8 million working women and men nationwide. The AFL-CIO was formed in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The AFL-CIO’s President is Liz Shuler.
