By Doug Cunningham

The AFL-CIO and the National Education Association are coming together at the state and local levels in an historic labor solidarity partnership that will multiply the power of the two giant labor organizations to advance the interests of working families. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

[John Sweeney]: " The agreement will fortify us in our continuing struggle to put people before profits and working families before corporate greed. We'll build on this moment to bring our movement even closer together so that we can powerfully confront the employers, policy makers and politicians who are attempting to weaken the voice of working families."

NEA President Reg Weaver says the partnership will create a more powerful advocacy for both education and for working family interests like good wages, health benefits and pensions.

[Reg Weaver]: "I think what we have here is an opportunity to strengthen education, to strengthen the community and to strengthen our collective ability to get a job done."