Local 1600 is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest union organization. We are also affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, a national union of educators with nearly 1,000,000 members. Through the AFT, our members are connected to a wide range of benefits. AFT members share in special insurance plans, low-cost credit cards, discount vacations, discount rates at hotels, computers at discounted prices, legal services and a special home mortgage program. We receive from the AFT a wide range of union services such as educational research, legal help and legislative help in Washington D.C. to pass bills that strengthen educators and education nationally.

We are affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the strongest teacher federation in Illinois. Through the IFT, we receive help in Springfield for legislation that directly affects community college employees in Illinois such as tenure rights, civil service protection rights, health care benefits, and job protection. The IFT also extends legal help and research to our Local.

New members receive a wide range of benefits from Local 1600 such as credit union membership, discount buying services, low-rate Union MasterCard eligibility, and special free insurance benefits.

Research studies prove that unionized employees are paid higher salaries and have better health insurance plans than non-unionized employees. Your job security is enhanced by Union membership sine you will have a powerful organization fighting to protect your job. The Union, through its experience in negotiating contracts, knows how to improve your on-the-job working conditions. Through the contract grievance process, Union members can protect their professional status and rights.

We hope that you will become a member of the Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600.