Local 1175: Alaska Federation of Teachers Records

Collection

Identifier: LR001651

Staff Only

Important subject covered in this collection: Alaska Public Schools strike 1978 AEA Decertification drive/AFT 1988 AEA Election/Legal Issues 1988 Membership Drive 1990

Dates

1956 - 1992

Creator

American Federation of Teachers. Local 1175 (Alaska) (Organization)

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

Extent

7 Linear Feet (14 MB)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Alaska Federation of Teachers Local 1175, originally named the Alaska State Employees Association, formed in 1959 before state employees were allowed to bargain collectively. In 1972 Alaska passed a public employee relation act giving the ASEA the power to bargain for its members. In 1988 the association joined the AFT. The records contain information on the 1978 strike; the decertification and joining of the AFT campaign, membership information, executive board minutes, and legal issues pertaining to public employees in Alaska.

History

The first collective bargaining agency for Alaska public employees was the Alaska State Employees Association, ASEA, founded in 1959. Although the group was able to recruit large numbers of state employees, they soon found themselves handicapped by the fact that the state of Alaska was not obligated to engage in collective bargaining. In 1969 the group held its first statewide general assembly with the goal of improving the quality of education for students and working conditions for its members. Finally, in 1972, the State Legislature enacted the Public Employees Relations Act (or P.E.R.A.) which recognized the right of public employees to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining, defined unfair labor practices, and set strike policies. It also established the Labor Relations Agency which facilitates the collective bargaining activities for the state of Alaska. It was also in 1972 that ASEA changed its name to the Alaska Public Employees Association, APEA. In 1988 the agency joined the American Federation of Teachers gaining nationwide union support.