The House Committee on Education and Workforce has initiated an investigation into allegations that the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) may have used union dues to support the writing and promotion of a book authored by its president, Randi Weingarten.
The inquiry follows reports indicating that substantial union resources, including payments to consultants, legal services, and other related expenses, were allocated to the project.
In a letter addressed to Weingarten, committee leaders Tim Walberg and Rick Allen stated that the reports raise significant questions about transparency, accountability, and fiduciary responsibility within the union. The lawmakers are seeking to determine if union funds, personnel, contractors, and other resources were utilized for the book's development and promotion while Weingarten potentially retained a portion of the royalties and proceeds.
According to an analysis of the union's federal labor disclosures, a team that assisted Weingarten with the book received over $1.4 million from the AFT. This included payments to an attorney whose firm earned nearly $1 million for union work while reportedly working on the book pro bono, and a ghostwriter who received over $400,000 from the union.
Weingarten has previously stated that proceeds from the book, titled “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy,” would be shared with the AFT, the AFT Disaster Relief Fund, and the AFT Educational Foundation. Union records also show that $125,000 in royalty payments were made to an entity named “Teachers Want What Kids Need, LLC,” which has been described as an opaque corporate entity incorporated in Delaware.
While Weingarten has maintained that the book project was a partnership with the AFT and that she has done nothing wrong, the committee is seeking further review to ascertain the extent of union resource allocation for a project that may have resulted in personal financial benefit.
The committee has requested that Weingarten provide by July 21 all AFT expenditures related to the book's drafting, publishing, promotion, and tour activities. They also seek all agreements between the AFT and outside parties, as well as documentation of work performed by AFT employees on the book.
Lawmakers emphasized their responsibility to ensure that unions operate transparently and that members receive a clear accounting of how their dues are utilized. The committee expects Weingarten's full cooperation with the investigation.
Weingarten previously characterized the reports as based on a "fishing expedition" by a right-wing group but acknowledged that book proceeds were shared equally between her and the union. She stated in May that she was in full partnership with the union on the project and that all proceeds were shared equally. Weingarten, who is paid $469,442 annually by the AFT, also noted that educators need advocates for public schools and critical thinking.
The committee further requested documents detailing all revenues, advances, royalties, licensing payments, and speaking fees generated by the book, along with the distribution of all proceeds. They also seek information concerning the formation, ownership, governance, and purpose of Teachers Want What Kids Need, LLC.
Additionally, the request includes documents related to all travel, lodging, security, communications, and promotional expenses paid by the AFT in connection with book events, as well as communications between AFT leadership and publishers, agents, consultants, or vendors regarding funding, promotion, or proceeds allocation. The committee also requested copies of AFT policies governing the use of union resources for projects that could yield personal income for union officers.