The first AFT local in Indiana was the already existing Gary Teachers Union which chartered with AFT in 1916. The IFT staff provides service and assistance at the direction of local presidents. Back to the top IFT Governance Like the AFT, IFT is governed by its members through an annual convention of democratically elected delegates. Federal law governs this process. The policies determined by the members at the convention are implemented by an elected executive board and carried out by an employed staff.
Local unions are autonomous and democratically make all their own decisions.
The organizations with which we are affiliated exist to serve locals. IFT locals were among the first in the state to explore new relationships with school boards. We advocate an equal partnership for teachers in the decision making process which will produce the schools of the future through teacher empowerment. Locals with especially viable programs in educational issues, professional development, and other collaborative efforts include Anderson, Gary, and Hammond. See also ULI for summer 2000 linked to the IFT website.