Significant WTU Events

TIMELINE OF SIGNIFICANT WTU EVENTS

Every organization has those dates which are significant to its development, dates that speak to the progress and spirit of the organization. The Washington Teachers’ Union is no exception to this rule. It is then, with the idea of keeping alive those significant dates that this foreword is written. These are some of the dates every WTU member should know and understand their significance to the organization.

1916
The Charter of the Washington, DC local of the American Federation of Teachers issues

1953
The American Federation of Teachers instructs all of its locals, which were divided along racial lines, that they merge. Washington, DC locals merged under one charter and took the name of the Washington Teachers’ Union Local #6, AFT. Marion Magruder, President Dr. Paul Cooke, General Vice President.

1962
Presidential Executive Order No. 10988 signed by President John F. Kennedy gave impetus to Collective Bargaining for Public Employees. Although the Executive Order was not adopted by the Board of Education, the Union pursued the goal and forced the Board to hold an election for determining a bargaining agent between the American Federation of Teachers (Washington Teachers’ Union) and the National Education Association (DC Association of Classroom Teachers).

1964
Dr. Paul Cooke named Dean at DC Teachers College. William Simons elected President.

April 26, 1967
Representation election was won by the Washington Teachers’ Union, AFT.

December 1967
The first collective bargaining contract for teachers in the history of DC Public Schools was attained.

March 7, 1968
Three thousand (3,000) lobby on Capitol Hill for wage increase.

August 1968
The Washington Teachers’ Union hosts the American Federation of Teachers Annual convention in Washington, DC for the first time.

August 1969
First Annual Airlie House Training Workshop

September 1972
The first teacher strike in the history of Washington, DC

September 1977
Representation election for National Child Day Care Association Functional Chapter of the Washington Teachers’ Union was held and approved.

1977
Under Bill Simons Administration, one of first federally funded Teacher Centers was established in Washington, DC. The Teacher Center operated for thirteen years until it became institutionalized by the Washington Teachers’ Union as the Professional Development Center.

June 1978
First contract ratified for National Child Day Care Association

July 1985
Harold Fisher was installed President of the Washington Teachers’ Union

May 1987
Bill Simons was re-elected President of the Washington Teachers’ Union

May 1991
Dr. Jimmie Jackson elected as President of the Washington Teachers’ Union

1994
Barbara Bullock elected President of the Washington Teachers’ Union

January 2003
Washington Teachers’ Union placed under AFT Administratorship. AFT Appoints AFT Vice President George C. Springer as Administrator.

November 2004
Members of the Washington Teachers’ Union overwhelmingly approve an amended WTU Constitution.

January 2005
The first WTU Election held under the newly amended constitution; George Parker elected President of the Washington Teachers’ Union.

February 2005
George Parker is installed as President and Nathan A. Saunders installed as General Vice President of the Washington Teachers’ Union. This action brings the AFT approved Administratorship to an end.

December 2010
Nathan A. Saunders is installed as President and Candi Peterson is installed as General Vice President of the Washington Teachers’ Union. This action brings the AFT approved Administratorship to an end.