Randi Weingarten ’80 Book Talk Slated for NYC Office

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten ’80 will discuss her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy,” on Monday, November 17 at ILR’s New York City Conference Center at 570 Lexington Avenue. 

Doors will open at 6 p.m. for light refreshments and networking, before a discussion, moderated by former NY Times reporter Steven Greenhouse, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Weingarten will sign books following the conversation. 

The event is free to the public and will be live-streamed. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance. 

“Over the years, Randi has been a committed ILRie who has returned to campus time and time again to share her experience and knowledge,” said Sally Klingel, executive director of the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution. “She’s given speeches, mentored students, and has taught courses, including one last spring when she served as the Alice B. Grant Labor Leader in Residence.

“Having her come to New York City to speak about her book and this critical moment in our democracy is really special, and I’m looking forward to a compelling conversation.”

In the book, Weingarten highlights the importance of educators and labor unions in protecting and preserving fundamental freedoms and democratic rights. One of the nation’s most outspoken labor leaders, she is raising the alarm on the nature and severity of the current political moment. Weingarten believes American democracy currently faces an existential threat from authoritarianism and illustrates how public education and organized labor are essential elements of a democratic future.

“The book focuses on teachers, but I think this conversation will also be important for all labor leaders to hear and participate in,” Klingel said. “There is a chapter in the book that focuses on teachers’ unions and their importance in amplifying the voices of teachers to advocate for the students and communities they serve.” 

Weingarten is president of the AFT, a union of 1.8 million educators, health care professionals and public service workers. She was elected to the position in 2008, after serving as the president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City for 10 years.

Greenhouse was a reporter for the New York Times for 31 years, including 19 years as its labor and workplace correspondent. He is now a prolific freelancer, writing about labor, economics, legal issues and threats to America's democracy. He is the author of “Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor.”

The event is co-sponsored by the ILR School’s Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution, the Worker Institute, Labor Leadership Initiatives and the ILR Alumni Association Labor and Social Justice Council.