New Education Union Wins Big in First Ever Election at AISD

by Joshua Freeze
Vol. 2 #9, November 1999
The Working Stiff Journal

Education Austin (EA) won a tremendous victory in representation elections for both professional and classified staff in the Austin Independent School District (AISD).  In the teachers’ unit, EA won by a margin of 70% and, among classified staff, by an overwhelming 90%.

This election gives EA a powerful position in “meet-and-confer” sessions with the district.  In Texas, state law prohibits government entities, from collective bargaining with unions.  However, the consultation process in AISD now gives EA the position to work out policies with the administration in the schools relating to wages, hours, working conditions, union rights, and job security.  Although EA doesn’t have a union contract, these policies are enforceable so long as they are officially in effect.

EA was born of a merger between three organizations, the local sections of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the Allied Education Workers (AEW).  The membership of AFT and the NEA is predominantly composed of teachers and AEW of classified staff, including custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, clerical staff and teaching assistants.  The new organization has nearly 4,000 members, making it the largest union in Austin.

Brenda Urps, co-president of EA says, “This is exciting because the overwhelming victory shows employees have a lot of trust and confidence in our ability to represent them.”

Louis Malfaro, co-president of EA, is excited about the possibilities this victory opens up but also cognizant of the duties that come with it.  “This is a step forward for all of us in establishing a strong process that resembles union negotiations, but it is a huge responsibility.”  Malfaro says EA is generating surveys, both on paper and on-line, to find out what the employees want.  He emphasizes that EA’s  responsibility is to all employees, not only members, as it aims to accurately represent the whole workforce.

When asked about the possibility of using this new strength to gain true collective bargaining rights, Malfaro explained that there are two schools of thought on that issue.  “One school believes you reach a point where you are strong enough to strike despite the laws against it and force the laws to change.  The other believes you use your strength to make the change politically through your electoral strength.  Both beliefs are present in Education Austin.”

The other organizations challenging EA were the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, and the Southwest Public Workers Union.  ATPE received 26% of the teachers’ votes and 7% of classified staff’s.  TCTA received 4% of the teachers’ votes and SPWU won only 3% of the staff votes.

Overall, 54% of teachers and 34% of staff participated in the election.

Joshua Freeze is a member of the IWW and recording secretary of ATU Local 1549.