AFGE

The American Federation of Teachers is a nonprofit organization that represents the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. Five divisions within the organization represent the broad spectrum of AFT's membership: teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff; and nurses and other health care professionals. In addition, the union includes more than 170,000 retiree members. Member benefit programs include financial services, travel, insurance and various discounts on services. The AFT advocates sound, commonsense public education policies, which include high academic and conduct standards for students and greater professionalism for teachers and school staff; excellence in public service through cooperative problem solving and workplace innovations; and high-quality health care provided by qualified professionals. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 and is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO. The organization has more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, nearly 45 state affiliates, and approximately 1.3 million members.

There are more than 300,000 active and retired members of the National Association of Letter Carriers, of which about 200,000-plus are active city delivery letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service. There are more than 2,500 local branches representing letter carriers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Ten Resident National officers, three National Trustees and 15 National Business Agents are elected for four-year terms. The NALC was founded in 1889 in Milwaukee, Wis. It is the union of city delivery letter carriers employed by the United States Postal Service. The NALC is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the Union Network International. The NALC operates from its national headquarters in Washington, DC, with state associations and branches throughout the nation, along with a regional network of National Business Agents.

Founded in 1865, The International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers represents craft workers in the trowel trades. The union represents craft workers, including bricklayers, stone and marble masons, plasterers, tile setters, mosaic workers and pointers/cleaners/caulkers. It is one of the oldest trade unions in the United States and Canada. Members of the union are encouraged to participate actively in the union by attending local or chapter meetings, asking questions, making suggestions, expressing their concerns and voting in elections. The International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers protects the rights of the workers. Labor and management through collectively bargained contributions jointly fund its training programs.