The Caddo Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel 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.” CFT/SP President Jackie Lansdale, 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.
Caddo Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel: Caddo Federation President Jackie Lansdale set off a firestorm when she announced the results of a survey revealing the sweltering temperatures inside school buses. The Federation’s aim was simple: to push the opening of school back from its early August date.
The school board’s first response was to prohibit the polling of teachers and school employees. Administrators said the state testing schedule demanded an early start for schools. But the union didn’t waver. After a strong public relations campaign, pressure became so great that the school board asked the Louisiana School Boards Association to intervene in the State Legislature. With the assistance of LFT lobbyists, a bill was passed requiring standardized tests to be administered later in the spring. As a result, the Caddo board and several other school systems pushed their school starting date further back into August.