Federation chapters receive Union Values Award
(Baton Rouge – November 24, 2012) Seven 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 49th annual LFT convention at the Best Western Convention Center in Alexandria. Recipients included:
Calcasieu Federation of Teachers: Newly elected Calcasieu Federation President Teri Johnson hit the ground running. The Federation is building community partnerships by her participation in groups as diverse as the Chamber of Commerce, Central Labor Council, five-parish education and workforce development committee, Public Trust Authority and more. CFT was instrumental in procuring a $300 pay raise for school support employees when teachers received their state pay raise. The Federation provided Red Cross CPR training for its members in a number of schools. Teri is continuing the local’s tradition of engagement and action.
Calcasieu Federation members at the convention: From left are Patricia Dupree, Annette Cole, Robin Vincent, LFT President Steve Monaghan, Robbie Magness, Diane Roche, Kacie Romero & Mary Johnson.
Jefferson Federation of Teachers: The day before this school year started, the Jefferson Parish School Board voided the membership of every Jefferson Federation member. Their aggressive union-busting tactic was intended to silence the voice of teachers and school employees once and for all. Thanks to a herculean effort by JFT President Meladie Munch, her executive board, staff, building reps and union activists, the board’s stab at destroying the union failed. In just six weeks, JFT shocked the board by re-signing over 2,050 members, representing 87% of the previous teacher membership and 80% of previous school employee membership. The union is alive and well in Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson Federation members at the convention: From left are, kneeling, Michel Cristina and JoAnn Chevalier; standing, Leo Laventhal, Brenda Johnson, Joyce Blunt, Karen Riggleman, Kesler Camese-Jones, JFT President Meladie Munch, LFT President Steve Monaghan, Cathy Johnson, Susan Doell, Maria West, Larry Segura, Tina Hanley and JFT President Emeritus Joe Potts.
Monroe Federation of Teachers and School Employees: Under the leadership of President Sandie Lollie, the Monroe Federation pitched in to help pass an extension of a vital tax dedicated to facilities and equipment. Every school in the district stood to gain from passage of the millage in terms of building repairs, maintenance and upgrades. President Lollie’s message to her members and the public was plain: “A positive and productive future for our children and our community is depending on you.” Thanks in large part to the efforts of MFT/SE, the millage was approved by a large margin.
Monroe Federation members at the convention: From left are Jamie Mayes, Matt Tonge, Stacey Singleton, Janet Ward, President Lollie, LFT President Steve Monaghan, Ursula Ashley, Sandra Johnson, and Janell Thornton-Edmonds.
Rapides Federation of Teachers and School Employees: After suffering with a union-unfriendly school superintendent for years, the Rapides Federation worked to elect a more reasonable school board in 2010. Its first order of business was to search for a new superintendent. The board selected one of RFT/SE President Leona Venson’s suggestions as interim leader while a permanent replacement was sought. RFT/SE had a seat at the table during the year-long search, and was able to question applicants about organizing members, communicating with employees, due process rights in grievances and more. Their efforts were rewarded with a new superintendent who has stated his desire to work with the union as a stakeholder in public education.
Rapides Federation members at the convention: From left are Willie Fairchild, Alvin Wallace, RFT/SE President Leona Venson, Zelma McCoy, LaDonna Jefferson, LFT President Steve Monaghan, Juliette Douglas, Dorothy Tilmon, Sylvia Vanlangendonck, Margaret Jones, LFT Field Representative Carla Rollins and Olivia Nash.
Red River United: After seeing the disruption caused by the state Recovery School District seizure of schools in Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parishes, Red River United President Jackie Lansdale took action to see that the failure is not repeated in Caddo Parish. Using high-tech mobilization tools, Red River launched a petition drive urging the community to fight the RAS and reclaim the promise of public education. “We do not support the hostile state takeover of community schools,” the petition says. “We contend that the Caddo Parish School System is best equipped to raise academic standards and that the community deserves a say in the process.”
Red River United members at the convention: From left are Vid Sankar, Robin Herrin, Omari Ho-Sang, AFT National Representative Shannon Sullivan, LFT President Steve Monaghan, Shawn Gard, Summer Lollie and Debbie Bell.
St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees: When the Louisiana Legislature approved the first increase in K-12 funding in five years, they ensured that teachers would get half of the $64 million appropriation as a one-time salary increase, but failed to mention other important members of the education family. Paraporfessionals and School Related personnel were not forgotten in St. Tammany Parish, however, where Federation President Elsie Burkhalter oversees contracts for every category of school employee. The union made sure that over 2,000 school employees also got raises amounting to $662 each. They received their checks on Friday.
St. Tammany Federation members at the convention: From left are Orlando Green, Sarah Batiste, Linda Stock, Lois Fallon, Claudia Campbell, President Elsie Burkhalter, State Rep. John Bel Edwards, Archie Galloway, Brenda Palmer, Deborah Green, Patsy Coakley, Cheryl Davidson, Jerome Troullier and Calvin Smith.
Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers: On May 20, 2013, the people of Moore, Oklahoma were the victims of unspeakable horror when a 210 mile-per-hour tornado touched down in their community. It destroyed over 1,150 homes, killed25 people and injured over 350 more. Two schools were destroyed as teachers and school employees tried to protect children with their own bodies. In spite of their heroic effort, seven children perished in the storm. Reacting to the disaster, Tangipahoa Federation President Kevin Crovetto and his members rented a van and filled it with food and non-perishable essentials to bring relief to their brothers and sisters in Moore.
Tangipahoa Federation at the convention: From left are TFT President Kevin Crovetto, LFT President Steve Monaghan and LFT Field Representative Mona Icamena.