The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has initiated a campaign urging consumers to avoid shopping at Target for back-to-school needs, a move spearheaded by AFT President Randi Weingarten. The "Shop Smart, Support Working Families" campaign, which includes a dedicated website and advertising, argues that Target has refused to condemn enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The union's website features a tool to locate retailers that "support union values" and employ unionized workers. A test of this tool in San Antonio, Texas, yielded Macy's outlets as the only options within a 10-mile radius, filtering for stores with a significant unionized workforce.
This campaign comes during a period of increased household spending for school supplies, a financial strain acknowledged by Weingarten herself. Critics point to a perceived contradiction, with Weingarten, a high earner, advocating for consumers to patronize potentially pricier unionized stores while rank-and-file educators face budget constraints.
Further complicating the AFT's position, the union's pension funds hold a substantial stake of 6.79 million shares in Target stock. Directing consumers away from the retailer could potentially decrease the stock's value, impacting the retirement security of union members. This raises questions about fiduciary duty, as pension trustees are generally expected to prioritize the financial interests of beneficiaries.
The AFT's actions are also drawing scrutiny regarding the use of union resources for political advocacy. This follows a recent examination of Weingarten's use of union dues for the promotion of her book, which drew comparisons between conservatives and fascists. Calls have been made for the Department of Justice to investigate whether the AFT is leveraging its pension funds and union power to pressure companies over political disagreements unrelated to union business or investment returns.
Critics argue that such political endeavors by union leadership detract from the core mission of supporting educators and improving educational outcomes. The article notes that over 16,000 educators have left traditional teachers' unions in the past year to join the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an organization focused on classroom issues rather than political activism.
The back-to-school season, intended for preparing students, has become another venue for the AFT's political activities, according to critics. The union's directive to avoid Target, especially while holding significant stock in the company, is described as counterproductive and out of step with the practical financial concerns of teachers and parents.