Seven local chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers 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 awards were presented at the 45th annual LFT convention in Kenner.
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.”
East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers, Jefferson Federation of Teachers, and the United Teachers of New Orleans: Earlier this year, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers lifted the lid on an international scandal involving the abuse of teachers from the Philippines hired to teach in Louisiana schools. Three local chapters – the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers and President Carnell Washington, the Jefferson Federation of Teachers and Presidents Joe Potts and Meladie Munch, and the United Teaches of New Orleans and President Larry Carter, took the lead in defending the rights of these teachers.
Because of these unions, the whole world learned that Filipino teachers were being held in virtual servitude and were being financially drained by the recruiter that brought them to Louisiana. Charges filed by LFT and involve multiple violations of state and federal laws. The Federation is asking that the teachers’ contracts with the California-based recruiter be voided, and that the recruiter be criminally prosecuted under state law.
Because of the union’s action, school boards around the state are changing their policies regarding outside recruiting agencies. International teachers have been promised that they will be protected from reprisal by the recruiter. There will probably be congressional hearings to determine how the pursuit of the American dream could be so perverted by greedy recruiters.
This is an example of how local unions doing the right thing can have profound effects far beyond the boundaries of their school district, their state and their nation.
Monroe Federation of Teachers and School Employees: Last year, the Monroe City School District was awarded funds from the Minimum Foundation Program that could have given all certified personnel a pay raise. However, the superintendent of schools chose to use the money differently without the school board’s permission.
After several months of prodding by Monroe Federation President Sandie Lollie, school board admitted approving the budget without realizing what they had done.
The Monroe Federation then fought to recover the money for teachers and school employees. After making many school board presentations, collecting hundreds of names on petitions, and finally conducting a district wide sick out, the Federation prevailed.
Because of Federation action, Monroe City school employees received a supplement of $1,100 for certified employees and $700 for classified employees, just in time for Spring break.
Richland Federation of Teachers and School Employees: By playing a key role in the turnaround of a Richland Parish School, the Richland Federation of Teachers and School Employees proved an important point about school reform. In the process, the Federation prevented a state takeover and saved the jobs of many good teachers.
After being in corrective action for four years, Delhi High School was targeted for takeover by the state. The principal of the school blamed teachers for the problems, and several were on the verge of dismissal. On behalf of teachers, Richland Federation President Launa Martin intervened and worked with the Superintendent of Schools to resolve the issue.
After consultations that included the Federation, the superintendent and the supervisor of secondary education, it was determined that the principal was an impediment to school improvement. The principal was removed.
This year, the entire class that had started ninth grade in corrective action passed the ACT, and all are eligible to attend college. The school is no longer in corrective action.
St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees: This year, St. Tammany Federation President Elsie Burkhalter got the attention of United States Senators about a very important issue: the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions. Between the two of them, Louisiana’s teachers and school employees lose social security benefits to which they are entitled.
It’s not just educators, but any Louisiana public employees, who are affected. That includes police officers, firefighters and other public servants.
Because of these provisions, retirees get only a fraction of their social security benefits. They are even denied survivor benefits from spouses who were fully vested in social security.
In response to the problem, the St. Tammany Federation launched a petition drive that collected thousands of signatures. Both Louisiana senators have now signed on as co-sponsors of the Social Security Fairness Act, which would abolish these offsets.
The Federation’s campaign not only holds a promise for educators, but has enhanced the union’s image in the community as an organization that fights for the good and welfare of all citizens.
Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers: When a local newspaper ran an article saying that Tangipahoa Parish had both high teacher absenteeism and low test scores, the school board tried to place the blame on teachers. That changed after Tangipahoa Federation President Doris Flanagan launched a 25-question survey addressing teacher absenteeism, student discipline and other issues.
The survey concluded that teacher absenteeism was due to professional development workshops and seminars, not illness, and helped the board understand what teachers in the system face.
As a result, the superintendent asked the Federation to be a guest presenter at the district’s system-wide discipline committee workshop, and has permanently included the Federation as a member of the Discipline Committee.