AFT and Professional Educators of North Carolina sign historic affiliation agreement

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Professional Educators of North Carolina (PENC) have signed an affiliation agreement, bringing together educators from across the state under a new banner. The agreement was formalized in Charlotte, North Carolina, by AFT President Randi Weingarten and PENC President Joanna Loftis.

PENC, which was founded in 1979 as an alternative professional association, has worked to represent educators in North Carolina despite the state's restrictive laws regarding unions. With this agreement, PENC’s 1,700 members will now be part of the American Federation of Professional Educators of North Carolina.

Both organizations have stated that their priorities include recruiting, training, and retaining quality educators. They are also committed to supporting students and ensuring that educators have a voice in their workplaces.

“These North Carolina teachers have been organizing for years to strengthen public education for their students and to secure the conditions, voice and salaries they needed for themselves, and I am so proud to welcome them to the 1.8 million-strong AFT family,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Thanks to Joanna’s inspiring leadership and the wisdom of PENC’s executive board, we are uniting because we know that we can achieve far more together than we ever can alone. As educators continue to confront significant headwinds both federally and in North Carolina, we need to rely on each other’s expertise and humanity to create safe and welcoming public schools where kids can have access to the engaging and relevant curriculum they need to pave a pathway to career, college and life.”

“With the strength of the AFT behind us, we are embracing a larger movement that champions fairness, democracy, opportunity and high-quality public education for all,” said PENC President Joanna Loftis. “Together, we will work with every stakeholder who shares our belief that public education is the foundation of a strong and thriving North Carolina. We are proud to establish this AFT affiliate in our state and look forward to building a stronger voice for educators across North Carolina.”

The affiliation is expected to help both organizations advocate more effectively for public education and for the rights of educators throughout North Carolina.