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Affiliate leaders describe losses, support of union
There is no conversation about the hurricanes of 2005 that doesn’t evoke emotion. During the convention, four union leaders from the Gulf Coast region shared their stories, which are also the stories of their members. They spoke to delegates of the faith that carried them through the darkest hours, their belief in public education, the union that enfolded them and—in contrast—the federal government that abandoned them. Here are some excerpts:
Elsie Burkhalter, president, St. Tammany Federation of Teachers: “I come to you today as the homeless president of a thriving union. Katrina came into my community, Slidell, La., and destroyed our homes, our churches, our schools, took all of our material possessions, but it did not destroy our faith and our belief in humanity and our belief in the AFT family.”
Joe Potts, president of the Jefferson Parish Federation of Teachers: “The biggest kudos that I can give anybody here, and the most positive feedback I got from teachers, are for those locals that sent school supplies to us. It changed people’s attitudes. To see the kids’ faces light up; they had a new book bag, they got a new pencil. Their library is being rebuilt through books that were donated by AFT locals from throughout the country.”
Doris Powe, staff representative, Mississippi AFT Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel: “The AFT Disaster Relief Fund has helped so many of our members begin to put their lives back together. You sent individual packages to us. You organized your locals and sent boxes and boxes of materials for us to get to hurricane victims. This, I believe, is a true demonstration of what a union is all about.”
Brenda Mitchell, president, United Teachers of New Orleans: “Our members fled to 48 states. Many are still there. On Oct. 7, the school board decided to charter schools, which, in effect, denied members the right to return. Those who did return to New Orleans took a cut in pay if they had 12 years of experience or more. While teachers were taking a cut in pay, Burger King was offering employees double the salary they were making before they left, plus a sign-on bonus. [These actions] said to professionals: ‘Don’t come back home.’ This was the message the city and the city fathers appeared to be giving to the community.”
Elsie Burkhalter, president, St. Tammany Federation of Teachers: “I come to you today as the homeless president of a thriving union. Katrina came into my community, Slidell, La., and destroyed our homes, our churches, our schools, took all of our material possessions, but it did not destroy our faith and our belief in humanity and our belief in the AFT family.”
Joe Potts, president of the Jefferson Parish Federation of Teachers: “The biggest kudos that I can give anybody here, and the most positive feedback I got from teachers, are for those locals that sent school supplies to us. It changed people’s attitudes. To see the kids’ faces light up; they had a new book bag, they got a new pencil. Their library is being rebuilt through books that were donated by AFT locals from throughout the country.”
Doris Powe, staff representative, Mississippi AFT Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel: “The AFT Disaster Relief Fund has helped so many of our members begin to put their lives back together. You sent individual packages to us. You organized your locals and sent boxes and boxes of materials for us to get to hurricane victims. This, I believe, is a true demonstration of what a union is all about.”
Brenda Mitchell, president, United Teachers of New Orleans: “Our members fled to 48 states. Many are still there. On Oct. 7, the school board decided to charter schools, which, in effect, denied members the right to return. Those who did return to New Orleans took a cut in pay if they had 12 years of experience or more. While teachers were taking a cut in pay, Burger King was offering employees double the salary they were making before they left, plus a sign-on bonus. [These actions] said to professionals: ‘Don’t come back home.’ This was the message the city and the city fathers appeared to be giving to the community.”
Nearly a year after the Gulf Coast region was pummeled by the hurricanes, AFT secretary-treasurer and New Orleans native Nat LaCour pointed out that thousands still are homeless and continue to lack access to healthcare and jobs. With that reality, the arrival of AFT checks for $500—drawn from the AFT Disaster Relief Fund, now topping $1.6 million—“can mean so much when you’re trying to rebuild your life.”
To make a tax-deductible contribution, go to www.aft.org/katrina.
