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NEA Issue Explainer

Workers' Rights

Educators and all public-service employees deserve the right to negotiate over pay, benefits, and working conditions. Currently, they lack a federal law that would guarantee these protections.
NEA Members rally Red For Ed at the RA
Published: February 24, 2025
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act (PSFNA) would provide public sector workers the right to join a labor union and to bargain collectively for fair wages, workplace safety and access to healthcare and retirement security.

Educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions; good working conditions for educators promote student learning and engagement. When educators come together to negotiate a fair contract with their employers, they can set limits on class size and address health and safety issues. 

The National Education Association, and our labor union partners, continue to fight to improve the working conditions and lives of our members. 

Tameka Mays
“I always try to encourage people to get involved in the union. It’s not only about making change for yourself and your students; it’s also about being part of the education community.”
Jocelyn

Professional Pay

Competitive pay is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified educators for our students, throughout their academic journeys.
Image of Eloy Delgado

Health Benefits & Policy

NEA strongly supports access to quality, affordable, and comprehensive health care coverage for all residents of the United States.
woman collaborating online

Pensions & Retirement Security

Pensions are crucial to attracting and retaining qualified, experienced educators in the profession. And that's worth fighting for.
Teacher and paraeducator team

Job & Career Security

No matter their age, from Pre-K to higher ed, our students benefit when all educators—janitorial staff, paraeducators, and college professors alike—are treated like the professionals they are.
Teacher with elementary school students

Advocating for Change

NEA helps build collective action for competitive pay, health benefits, and retirement security so we can attract and retain the best educators for our students.

Join NCAE Today

What Are You Waiting For? No other professional organization does more for North Carolina educators. With your support, we can protect our profession today, and for the next generation of educators.
leaders

Advocacy Center

The NCAE Advocacy Center provides fast, easy, and expert assistance to NCAE members for questions about employment concerns. Submit your question online.
North Carolina Association of Educators logo

A leading voice for educational excellence

The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) is our leading voice for educational excellence, for children and their families, and for the public schools they count on. As the public school employees union and the largest association of professional educators in North Carolina, our membership extends to all 100 counties and includes teachers, non-classified school staff, administrators, students, retirees, and community allies. NCAE believes that every child has a right to a high-quality education, an excellent teacher, and a well-funded school.