Vermont Business Magazine AFT Vermont delegates unanimously chose to endorse Sue Minter for governor at the union's statewide convention on Sunday, September 25. Union members discussed the endorsement at the meeting and decided that Sue Minter was the best choice for the state's top position. "We are encouraged by Sue Minter's focus on the importance of higher education, and we look forward to working with her and her administration to reclaim the promise of public higher education for Vermont students. Vermont is currently at the bottom in the nation with regard to funding public higher education, and we are hopeful that a Minter administration will prioritize making college more affordable for Vermont students," explained Linda Olson, AFT Vermont Vice President for Higher Education.
AFT Vermont has been advocating for increased funding for public higher education for the past several years, noting that state supported higher education provides opportunities for children of working families to earn a degree and live a middle class life. State colleges and universities also provide workers opportunities to further their careers with affordable continuing education and certifications.
Minter has highlighted the importance of making college more affordable for Vermonters as a key component of her campaign, noting that holders of a two-year associate's degree make on average $12,000 more per year than those with only a high school degree, and this number increases to $32,000 when one has a bachelor's degree. Right now, two thirds of the jobs in Vermont require some form of higher education, and yet 40 percent of Vermont students do not go on to receive any kind of post-secondary education.
"Nationally, Vermont gets top marks for getting students through high school, but we're nearly at the bottom for students who continue to pursue higher ed. My plan provides two years of free tuition at Vermont's Technical College and Community College -- reducing burdens on middle-class Vermont families, providing businesses with a much-needed workforce, and ensuring our students are ready for livable-wage jobs," Minter said. "I am honored to receive the endorsement of AFT Vermont and look forward to working with them to make higher education more affordable for Vermont students."
AFT Vermont will work to encourage its 3500 members to get out and vote for Sue Minter in the November election.
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Source: BARRE, VT - AFT Vermont 10.12.2016. The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do. In Vermont, American Federation of Teachers represents professionals in health care and higher education. http://vt.aft.org/ |