AFT Local 604 consists of 77 autonomous councils with a membership of over 11,000. We are the  second largest educational employees’ union in the state of Illinois and the fourteenth largest local in the national organization, the American Federation of Teachers.

Geographically, our councils stretch from the Pembroke Council on the Indiana border to Hampton on the Mississippi River and from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove to Iroquois West in Gilman. Our councils are supported by a team of elected officers, field service directors, and support staff out of our office in Crest Hill.

Here are some examples of the types of support provided by AFT Local 604:

• Negotiations

• Grievance handling

• Job security protection

• Licensure issues

• Legislative updates

• Advice and assistance with legal matters

• Workshops on leadership skills, member organizing, student loan forgiveness, etc.

• Professional development classes

There are many areas that AFT Local 604 devotes time, energy and resources toward, such as education funding, pension equity and sustainability, member trainings, legislative lobbying, and political endorsements, to name a few.

AFT Local 604 is governed by the Local 604 Senate which consists of the elected officers of the Local, each council president and additional senators based on the size of a council’s membership. The Senate currently consists of over 100 members.

As president of Local 604, I invite each and every one of you to become active in your council and take advantage of the robust support offered to you through this office, our executive board and our capable team of field service and office support staff.

AFT Local 604 has a long tradition of strength and respect. We exist for the benefit of our members and our power comes from our members. I encourage you to be part of this organization so that together we can continue to fight to improve the lives of our members and those whom we serve.

In unity,

 

 

 

Dan Mercer, President

AFT Local 604