Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
On Continued Mistreatment of New Orleans School Employees

WASHINGTON, D.C. — We grow increasingly concerned and frustrated with the lack of regard shown by Louisiana politicians for school employees in New Orleans.  The latest affront to education workers comes from the Louisiana House of Representatives, which yesterday defeated House Bill 32, which would have provided needed relief from skyrocketing health insurance premiums for retired teachers and other school employees.  Many of these workers saw their monthly premiums triple in the months following Hurricane Katrina. 

The rejection of this bill is the latest example of the complete disregard shown for the families of thousands of Katrina survivors who were committed New Orleans teachers and paraprofessionals.  Lawmakers have stifled public school revival efforts through their refusal to reopen more than a handful of schools in Orleans Parish.  They have compounded this failure by terminating over 8,000 school employees.  And now, state legislators have put even more strain on the already difficult lives of these displaced workers by refusing to help them with their health benefits.

There has been much talk in the past few weeks about the failures and lapses that occurred during Katrina rescue and recovery efforts.  But the continuing mean-spiritedness and lack of strong leadership is keeping schools closed and denying neighborhoods in New Orleans a chance to rebuild.  One of the key factors families consider when returning to New Orleans is whether there is a public school open in the neighborhood.  Reopen them and families will return.

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