05/14/2024
Yesterday, educators at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans won their union election 52-12.
“We are beyond thrilled to win our union at Lycée Français!” said Raina Benoit, a Louisiana native and LFNO Art teacher. “As educators, it's critical for us to be included in the decision-making that affects student learning outcomes. The current administration’s corporate model for education has not been working for our students, who are more than just numbers and data. It has also not been working for our faculty, who are treated as completely disposable. With our union, we will be able to use our collective voice to fight to improve our school–without the fear of being fired. Without teachers, there is no Lycée!"
On January 18th, 2024, leaders requested that the school’s leadership voluntarily recognize their union chapter. The school chose not to voluntarily recognize their Union, despite the fact that they also presented the school’s administration with the Union chapter’s Mission Statement, which was signed on to by a supermajority of their coworkers.
“Once again, teachers have come together to raise their voices in unison. Their voices resonate with teachers around the world and back through time, as they connect their struggle to the struggles of the people in their many countries of origin and also to the UTNO educators who came before them,” said Dave Cash, UTNO President. “This is a great day, not just for the teachers at Lycée Français, but for working people across New Orleans and far beyond. We welcome them as our newest siblings in struggle, as we continue the fight to make our schools better places to teach, learn, and grow."
The latest in a recent string of wins for New Orleans charter school employees, hopes to be a part of creating more sustainable, respectful workplaces for educators.