American Federation of Teachers spends little on teachers, lots on staff

The American Federation of Teachers’ recent federal filing showed just 36% of the national union’s spending was on representing teachers. More than two-thirds of its own employees made six-figure salaries.

You wouldn’t know the American Federation of Teachers is in the business of representing teachers when you look at the way it spends money.

Each year the union, which represents more than 1.8 million teachers nationwide, must file a report with the U.S. Department of Labor. Its most recent report reveals several trends that should concern its members:

• Just 36% of its spending in 2024 was on representing teachers – which should be its core focus.
• AFT spent more than $38 million on “political activities and lobbying.”
• More than two-thirds of AFT’s own officers and employees make six-figure salaries.
• The union spent more than $3.8 million on travel and hotels for unspecified purposes.

AFT’s own records tell quite the tale. It’s not about representing teachers, but about politics and union leadership priorities. That should concern the approximately 86,000 education employees in Illinois who are members of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and, in turn, AFT.

Just 36% of AFT’s spending was on representing members

AFT spent more than $277 million in 2024. Yet just $100.7 million was on “representational activities” – which should be the core purpose of the union. The rest was spent on politics, administration and other union leadership priorities.

To put this in perspective, the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance states at least 65% of a nonprofit’s total expenses should be on program activities.

While the Wise Giving Alliance evaluates spending by charities, it stands to reason AFT’s spending of just 36% on representation should be a cause for concern among members.

AFT spent more than $38 million on politics

AFT’s president Randi Weingarten has politicized the union, and that shows up in the way AFT spends money on politics.

The union reported spending more than $38 million on “political activities and lobbying” in 2024. The largest recipient was the New York State United Teachers “Advocacy Fund,” which endorses candidates that “align with” its “values.” It received $5.67 million.

The union also funneled millions of dollars to self-proclaimed “progressive” entities, including the following:
• $2.35 million to For Our Future Action Fund, which bills itself as “committed to serving progressive values.”
• $200,000 to the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is “chaired by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), alongside CPC Deputy Chair, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05)”
• $103,333 to Democracy Alliance, which claims to be “the country’s preeminent network of individual political philanthropists, labor unions, and foundations” that come together to “advance progressive policy reforms.”

Notably, that $38 million spent on politics doesn’t include an additional $6.38 million spent on “contributions, gifts, and grants,” which are often political in nature.

For example, the union gave $200,000 to the Center for American Progress, which is dedicated to advancing “bold, progressive ideas” and claims to have “20 years of progressive leadership.” AFT also funneled $100,000 to the Bill, Hilary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

More than two-thirds of AFT staffers make six-figure incomes

While AFT’s members may not be seeing the benefit of spending hundreds of dollars on union dues each year, its own officers and employees sure do. At least 272 of AFT’s own employees make over $100,000. More than 76 make over $200,000, with president Randi Weingarten pulling in a half million dollars.

In total, AFT spent more than $52.5 million on its own officer and employee salaries. The average teacher salary in Illinois is less than $76,000, yet their money is funding AFT’s exorbitant salaries.

AFT spent more than $3.8 million on travel and hotels for unspecified purposes

Some of AFT’s 2024 spending was itemized on its federal report for purposes such as “meeting expense” or “collective bargaining expense.” But more than $3.8 million on airlines, car rentals, catering, conference centers and hotels, restaurants and travel services were not itemized.

That means members have no idea why that money was spent.

A teachers union is supposed to represent teachers. But as AFT’s own records show, putting educators first is not a union priority.