The Jefferson Federation of Teachers was one of five chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers to receive the “Union Values in Action Award” on Sunday, November 23 at the 44th annual LFT convention in Covington. The award is presented “for improving the lives of members, enhancing the influence of the union and advancing the mission of public education.” JFT President Joe Potts, left, accepted the award from LFT President Steve Monaghan.
(Covington – November 23, 2008) Five local chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today received the Union Values in Action Award for improving the lives of members, enhancing the influence of the union and advancing the mission of public education.
The award recognizes the efforts of local LFT chapters to promote the union agenda and express commitment to the values that make the Federation the largest professional organization for teachers and school employees in Louisiana.
“These Federation chapters exemplify what the LFT stands for,” said LFT President Steve Monaghan. “The Union Values in Action Award serves as an inspiration and a road map for other chapters around the state. It shows how much can be accomplished when we are true to the principles that led us into the union movement in the first place.”
The awards were presented at the 44th annual LFT convention at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Covington.
Jefferson Federation of Teachers: Because education is the one profession for which nearly every important policy is decided by elected officials, it is critical that teachers and school employees become involved in politics. The Jefferson Federation of Teachers demonstrated its political acumen this year when a school board seat came up in a special election. It was especially crucial because JFT’s collective bargaining agreement was about to be renegotiated.
Based on background research, JFT President Joe Potts and his political action team chose a candidate to support, helped the candidate develop a platform and literature, recruited members to run a phone bank and campaigned door-to-door in selected precincts. Their candidate won in the primary with more than 56% of the vote.