The Scranton Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916, as one of the first eight locals of the American Federation of Teachers. The modern SFT dates to 1952, when ten brave teachers requested a new charter. The youngest, Robert K. Cavanaugh, became the SFT's longest serving president. Under the leadership of SFT President Cavanaugh, the rights of all teachers were protected, negotiations were conducted in honesty and good faith, contract language was protected, and teachers enjoyed excellent salaries and benefits. The current leadership of the SFT is committed to carrying on the SFT's rich legacy of preserving the rights of its membership and advancing the profession of education.