AFT in the (White) House

 I visited the White House this week.

Actually, I was invited to the White House, and attended with Ivonne Hamm, another nurse and soon to retire First VP of UHP, AFT Local 3837 in Connecticut. 

We were invited to be representatives of the AFT, a union of 1.7 million members in public service, education, and healthcare. But we were really invited because the AFT is an activist union. 

As one of our T shirts says, “We care, we fight, we show up, we vote.” 

From LA to Boston, from Texas to Chicago, we are engaged not only in the workplace, but in our communities and in politics, and even with our sisters and brothers in other countries through international affiliations like Public Service International and others.

AFT members care for patients, students, and the public through our daily work and are involved in our communities because we are a part of our communities. 

When my own Senator, Chris Murphy, asked “What are you guys doing here?” I’m sure I made a joke about them letting anyone in, but the truth is, we were there because of the work of AFT members.

The White House was INCREDIBLE!

Everywhere there were staff in full military dress uniforms. In a couple of hallways they were sitting planing music as we strolled in. The main room was filled with white chairs in neat rows, like it was prepared for a wedding. We took a seat in row three, just feet from the Vice President and two Presidents.

When the music began playing and President Biden, VP Harris, and President Obama walked in to thunderous and sustained applause. Each spoke, with President Obama praising VP Harris and President Biden and making jokes about the reported “changes” in the White House since he left like the secret service being required to wear aviator glasses and a cat roaming the hallways. President Biden and VP Harris praised President Obama for his work to pass the ACA, and President Biden joked back to remind President Obama about “live mics.” The three of them truly seem to have a relationship of friendship and respect.

President Biden signed an executive order to close an unintended loophole that makes it difficult for some spouses to obtain affordable healthcare coverage under the ACA, if one spouse has coverage through work. He also spoke of extending Medicaid to all states and giving Medicare the right to negotiate with drug companies for lower costs. All of this is logical and fair, and should have no opposition, but over the years special interest groups like the drug and insurance industries have blocked them. 

Over the years, the AFT has advocated and worked for these changes, and THAT advocacy is why we were invited to the White House.