Six 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.
This convention marked the eighth year that Union Values Awards have been given to LFT local chapters. 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.
East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers: When a Federation member in the Baker school district was arrested and handcuffed at school for simply attempting to enforce the school’s discipline policy, East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers President Carnell Washington was quick to defend her. After all charges were dropped, the Federation backed new legislation prohibiting the arrest of teachers for minor offenses. With the discipline issue still lingering, EBRFT took actions that resulted in a three-part news broadcast entitled “Classrooms of Fear.” No longer able to ignore the issue of classroom disruption, the East Baton Rouge School Board asked to collaborate with the union on professional development around discipline. The union is now organizing an advisory committee that will meet monthly with administrators to resolve issues.
Jefferson Federation of Teachers: A little over a year ago, Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch launched an audacious plan to change the direction taken by a school board whose majority was controlled by business interests. Working with union-friendly board members, parents and community leaders, JFT identified nine candidates committed to providing educational opportunities for all students, respect for parents and a voice for educators. After a grueling primary campaign, JFT is on the verge of making the change they aimed at a year ago. The balance hangs on the outcome of two December 6 runoff elections. Thanks to the hard work by Meladie and her supporters, the top primary finishers in both races were the union-backed candidates.
Rapides Federation of Teachers and School Employees: In three separate activities, Rapides Federation President Leona Venson demonstrated the union’s commitment to protecting the rights of employees and fighting for better pay and working conditions. Defending due process, RFT/SE changed local policy to allow a pre-termination hearing for all employees, including tenured and non-tenured teachers as well as support employees. The Federation also successfully defended the right of all school employees to a 30-minute lunch break. President Venson and her members furthermore convinced the board to use part of a general fund balance to give all employees a $1,200 pay supplement just in time for the holidays-a trifecta of union values!
St. Martin Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel: A tragic accident in the small St. Martin Parish town of Breaux Bridge brought the entire community, including the St. Martin Federation and President April Benoit, together in support of grieving families. Three girls, one from Breaux Bridge High and two from Breaux Bridge Jr. High, were walking to school when they were hit by a speeding pickup truck. The tragedy left two students dead and another seriously injured. The St. Martin Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel leapt into action. The Executive Board quickly voted to send generous donations to both families affected, and the Federation’s cafeteria members made sure that the grieving families had hot meals to assist them in their time of need. “Many of our members taught these students, and all of them know the grieving families,” President Benoit said. “Our hearts go out to the entire community as we come to grips with this most tragic loss.”
St. Tammany Federation of Teachers: In the face of what seems to be an increasingly hostile environment for public education and the teacher union movement, the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers, under the leadership of President Elsie Burkhalter, stands out. The St. Tammany Federation has maintained a solid partnership with the school board, once again working to elect a majority that is sympathetic to the Federation cause, and maintaining one of the few wall-to-wall collective bargaining agreements in the country, representing every non-administrative teacher and school employee in the parish. The range of services offered by the union, from grievance representation to Health and Welfare Fund benefits to the AFT Plus program, looks like what a model of the union movement should be.
Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers: This year, a small town in Tangipahoa Parish briefly became the center of the world for fans of softball, when the Dixie Softball World Series for girls ages 11 to 15 was held on the playing fields of Ponchatoula. With 22 teams from 11 states staying and playing in the Strawberry Capital of the World, there was a big need for volunteers to help coordinate the four-day event. The Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers and President Kevin Crovetto stepped up to the plate, providing water for the players and assisting with various aspects of the event. Showing their community spirit, TFT volunteers worked concessions, coordinated parking, assisted with grounds keeping and even picked up the garbage. TFT is a union that is woven into the fabric of Tangipahoa Parish.
