Many of her remarks centered on the school board election in Jefferson Parish, where the Jefferson Federation of Teachers has been under assault by a business-backed majority on the school board for the past four years.
"That's why I came down today, to lift up what we've been doing," Weingarten said. "We've got to fight, like Jefferson Parish is fighting. For smaller class sizes, which takes bucks. For engaging curriculum, where kids feel joy. For professional development that we need, for all that's thrown at us. It is a fight worth waging, and we will wage it."
The board had closed some schools, increased some class sizes, and lost several lawsuits filed by the Federation over violations of state law. Board members claimed that their policies improved student achievement, but closer examination revealed that the statistics had been manipulated.
The real improvements, the Federation argued, had been underway before the business-backed takeover of the board.
The board stripped the union of its collective bargaining rights, revoked a union-sponsored member benefits contract and put roadblocks in the Federation’s ability to collect member dues.
Weingarten stoutly defended the AFT’s decision to dedicate resources to the Jefferson election on behalf of union members in the parish.
"This is Jefferson Parish's fight; it's not the AFT's fight,” she said. “But I'd be damned if we don't find ways to let our parents and community wage the fight they need to wage."
Weingarten's remarks were given at the Awards Luncheon during the LFT's 50th Annual Convention in New Orleans on November 24.