News

Unions applaud the Legislature for approving retiree COLA

Leaders of the LFT and the LAE applaud the Louisiana Legislature for granting a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to current retirees of the Louisiana public school system.

In a private meeting with leaders from LFT and LAE, Governor Edwards explained the dilemma he faces in asking the Senate Education Committee to reject public education’s proposed $3.7 billion Minimum Foundation Program formula

The recent decision by Gov. John Bel Edwards to drop an appeal of former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit challenging Common Core standards was the right move.

The Higher Education Transition Team Committee released its report last week on the strategies for saving higher education from the years of devastating cuts. Read the article here: http://gov.louisiana.gov/news/transition-committee-on-higher-education-releases-final-report

Vice President of Baton Rouge area Valerie Holliday served on the committee by the Governor's invitation. It is very encouraging that our new governor has invited us to the table to share our thoughts and experience.

I want to wish each and every one of you a warm and peaceful holiday season and a new year. 2016 promises to be indeed a new year, as Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes office after eight long and difficult years for higher education. The UFCT and the LFT will be there to support and serve our new governor--and to voice your interests and concerns in the coming year.

All my best,

Robert Lawyer,
President, United Federation of Local Teachers, 1130

(Lake Charles – November 22, 2015) Retired Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch and Red River United member Cleve Arkansas today received Pioneer Awards from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The award is presented annually to individuals who, over the years, made major contributions to the growth and influence of the LFT.

Dear Colleagues:

I thought you might enjoy this video of JBE at the LFT Convention. And it was no surprise that his first public appearance was at our convention, since it was mostly due to organized labor that got him elected.

Though we had a very good day on Saturday, the work to be done to reverse nearly eight years of damage to higher education has just started.

You may, of course, share this with your members.

And thanks for whatever work you did to help elect of new governor.

Sincerely, Bob

Vice President of UFCT Local 1130 Baton Rouge region Valerie Holliday has been appointed by Governor-elect John Bel Edwards and his team to the Transition Committee for Higher Education. Valerie serves as associate professor of philosophy at Baton Rouge Community College.

"This is a most welcome time of great hope for Louisiana and its higher education system. Governor-elect Edwards cares deeply about higher education; it is my honor to serve him and his team," Valerie said.

More information about the transition team may be found here: http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2015/12/03/edwards

(New Orleans – November 21, 2015) “The right man at the right time for Louisiana.” That is how Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan introduced Representative John Bel Edwards when the Federation announced its endorsement last March.

Voters obviously agreed, and Rep. Edwards will become Governor Edwards on January 11, 2016.

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In 1990, several school employees filed suit against the Terrebonne Parish School Board. The employees won; among other things the Davis v. Henry case established that public employees have "the same right to engage in collective bargaining as held by their counterparts in the private sector."

This has been Your Legal Moment with UFCT!

Sources:

1. Davis v. Henry, Supreme Court of Louisiana, 555 So. 2d 457 (1990)

2. Public Sector Labor Law: An Update, John Lund and Cheryl L. Maranto,1996.

Unions applaud the Legislature for approving retiree COLA

Schools, TOPS, health care facing budget axe

Edwards is right to drop Common Core appeal

Transition Team on Higher Ed Reports to Governor and State

Happy Holidays from the UFCT President

Veteran activists receive Federation Pioneer Award

From the Desk of the UFCT President

UFCT Member to Serve on JBE's Transition Team for Higher Ed

LFT congratulates Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards

Your Legal Moment: Davis v. Henry, 1990, Louisiana