August 6, 2026 — The 2026 AFT Convention was held July 16-19, in Washington, D.C. It was the union’s largest in 15 years, with 3,500 delegates. PEF President Wayne Spence, who is also an AFT Vice President, led PEF’s delegation, which included all three vice presidents as automatic delegates (Randi DiAntonio, Bruce Giddings, and Darlene Williams), as well as 18 elected delegates from PEF and seven guests who represented the union.
President Spence had a packed schedule during the multi-day gathering, hosting the AFT Civil & Human Rights Committee luncheon as chair and delivering opening and closing remarks, as well as attending meetings of the AFT Executive Committee, Executive Council, and Convention Committee. In the evening, receptions were held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and in support of COPE, the political action committee that raises money to support lobbying for organized labor’s priorities at the federal level.
“The AFT Convention takes place every two years and is always an exciting time, but it is very busy,” said President Spence. “Over the years, PEF leaders and members have stepped up to help with various aspects of AFT’s work, and it’s gratifying to see PEF recognized as a leading public sector union in the AFT.”
PEF authored four resolutions for Convention delegates to consider. Three were debated and passed, and one did not reach the floor.
PEF VP Randi DiAntonio introduced a resolution titled Fight for Affordability and Improved Quality of Life, which concludes “AFT will use every tool at our disposal—political action, legislative advocacy, media campaigns and grassroots organizing—to ensure AFT members can build financial security and share fully in the prosperity of the nation they serve.”
She also spoke on behalf of a resolution called Advancing Union-Backed Housing Models for AFT Public Sector Members, which PEF supported through its work in the AFT Public Employees Division. The resolution calls on AFT to recognize housing affordability and access to homeownership as a “core labor, economic justice and workforce sustainability issue for public sector members.”
PEF VP Darlene Williams addressed delegates on behalf of the third resolution, AFT Members Refuse to Accept Violence as Part of the Job. Based on PEF’s years-long advocacy against workplace violence, the resolution commits AFT to a variety of mitigation efforts – including the creation of a workplace violence reporting tool and working with federal legislators to deliver a Government Accountability Office study on the impact of workplace violence across all the divisions AFT represents –public services, healthcare and education.
Delegates also had the opportunity this year to participate in a Day of Service, which involved a trip to the historic Shiloh Baptist Church. They distributed 5,000 books and 500 backpacks to students, as well as essential food and hygiene items for people facing affordability challenges or experiencing homelessness. The effort supported eight public schools and numerous after-school programs, ensuring local families have the resources they need.
“In the same space where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his words of empowerment with the community, we experienced the true meaning of Union leadership and power: which for me is to be of service to others,” said delegate Vivian Falto, who also chairs the PEF Hispanic Committee. “The Day of Service really showed what organized labor can do when it works together.”
Delegates were equally busy during the General Sessions of the Convention, which saw AFT celebrate the years-long fight to save SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, and the multi-union coalition that fought for and won significant reforms to Tiers 5 and 6 of the New York State pension plan. President Spence addressed the delegates about both major wins, which never would have happened without PEF’s leadership and contributions to coalitions of clergy, community leaders and organized labor.
PEF Vice President Darlene Williams was also honored during the Women’s Rights Breakfast on the final day of the Convention with a Living Legacy Award for her 40 years of commitment to organized labor.
The next AFT Convention will be held in Portland, Oregon, in July 2028. PEF members in AFT-represented titles may petition to be a delegate. Instructions regarding the process will be communicated to eligible members and posted on the PEF elections page at a later date.
Editor’s Note: The AFT features comprehensive coverage of the Convention on its website.
