The new organization would encourage, but not require, AFT and NEA state and local affiliates to merge. State and local unity agreements would be subject to approval by the new national organization. State affiliates would have a vital role in providing and coordinating services for local affiliates and members. The new organization would be a national affiliate of the AFL-CIO and would actively encourage full affiliation at the state and local levels as well. No decision has been made yet about the name of the new organization.
Work remains on a number of unresolved issues.
Approval of the principles would constitute a formal commitment to merge, and constitutional documents for the new organization would then be prepared. The NEA president would have the constitutional duties of president and the AFT president would have the constitutional duties of executive vice president. Unity talks between the two organizations have been ongoing for more than four years. The American Federation of Teachers represents 950,000 teachers, school support staff, higher education faculty and staff, nurses and healthcare professionals, and state and municipal employees.