December 12, 2025 — To the editor:

This is in response to the letter from Randi Weingarten in the last Communicator titled: Why do Fascists Fear Unions?

If Ms. Weingarten was up on her history, she would know that no government has proclaimed itself to be fascist since World War II, which ended 80 years ago. She would also know that the fascist governments in Italy and later Germany were socialist in nature, they disbanded legislatures, were anti-smoking, pro-environmental, pro-gun-control, anti-Gypsy, anti-free speech, and antisemitic.

One of the first things the German fascists did was disband the unions, and force everyone into one big government-supported union. The fascists did not fear the unions, they disbanded them.

She goes on to state that today’s “[u]nions are also unique in that they are democratic organizations … All of the leaders are elected, including, in the case of national unions like mine, the members electing leaders of their national unions.” But unions today are not unique in their democratic underpinnings, and no one would call a process “democratic” where the same people get re-elected over and over again like they do in today’s unions.

Apparently, “Do Unions Fear Fascists” is also a name of a new book from Weingarten. PEF bought 700 of them and distributed them for free at the recent PEF Convention. In the book, Weingarten redefines fascism to be: “an approach to politics … mobilizing people around fear and rage.” Funny, as this seems to describe Weingarten’s own approach to politics.

Nonetheless, the article goes on to not-so-subtly suggest that President Trump is a fascist. Nearly 50% of PEF members now vote Republican. Does Ms. Weingarten believe that these PEF members are fascists as well? What benefit does PEF get from promoting such a divisive and anti-Republican-PEF-member sentiment? Who profits from PEF’s purchasing of this book?

Kevin E. Jones

Albany

 

Editor’s Note: PEF purchased 700 copies of “Why Fascists Fear Teachers” by AFT President Randi Weingarten for delegates who wished to receive one at the 2025 PEF Convention, held October 19–22, 2025, in Lake Placid. President Weingarten addressed the delegation via Zoom on October 21. The total cost of the books was $13,032.34, and the purchase was paid from the Executive Budget.