This book describes the structure, operations, and influences of teacher unions, especially the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). There is a belief that an NEA/AFT merger will take place in the 1990s, and that the emergence of strong teacher unions is an important development in education, the labor movement, the economy, and American politics. The book consists of nine chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the two unions and a discussion of perspectives on teacher unions. Chapter 2 describes the organizational structure of the NEA, the AFT, and state and local associations. Chapter 3 reviews the revenues and expenditures of the NEA and the AFT. Chapter 4 is a discussion of teacher unions organization for political action. Chapter 5 presents three case studies of teacher union political operations. Chapter 6 outlines NEA and AFT member benefit programs. Chapters 7 through 9 discuss the NEA/AFT merger including historical perspectives, issues to be addressed such as professionalism, secret ballot, and minority participation, and the implications of the merger from other labor perspectives. Chapter 10 looks at the future of teacher unions. Appendices include: New Business Item 1993-A and 1993-B from the NEA 1993 Annual Convention; the NEA Charter; the NEA and AFT Constitutions; NEA 1992 Interview Team Worksheet; and a summary of the Labor-Management Repertory and Disclosure Act. (Contains 78 references.) (ND)