In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times  column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

Check out the nine different types of scholarships we offer each year to union members and their legal dependents/children here.

The applications to the WSTU scholarships have a deadline of late January-mid February, 2024.

• Julienne Phillips Scholarship application
• Jo Ann Horowitz Scholarship application
• Mary Wheeler Scholarship application
• Mary Ann Karlovsky Scholarship application

Mary Wheeler was a highly respected Proviso High School teacher for over 40 years. She also served as president of WSTU 571 for many years. She founded the Proviso Council of Teachers during the 1938-1939 school year and helped in the formation of several councils in the western suburbs. Mary Wheeler represents, to the young people of this area, a very courageous, pioneering spirit in her profession.

Six (6), $3,300, one-time scholarships will be awarded in 2024. Eligible applicants are high school seniors
graduating in 2024 whose parents or guardians are members in good standing of Local 571. They must plan to continue their education full time in the Fall of 2024.

Rules and Requirements:
• All portions of this application must be typed.
• Please submit:
o The completed signed Mary Wheeler Scholarship application form.
o Two letters of recommendation, one of which must relate to academic achievement. Letters must
be on a school letterhead and signed.
o An OFFICIAL high school transcript showing grades through the seventh semester in a sealed
envelope.
o A copy of second semester schedule, if not appearing on the transcript.
• The completed signed application and all the required documents must be mailed or hand-delivered (call
630-468-4083 to schedule day/time if hand delivering) to the West Suburban Teachers Union. Please see the
address printed above and on the last page.
• All materials must be postmarked by February 15, 2024.

Get your application today and apply by February 15, 2024.