Union Head Talks Possible Raises for Teachers

Red River United Teachers' Union President Jackie Lansdale talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about a proposal by Governor John Bel Edwards to give raises to educators statewide.

Lansdale dismisses the suggestion that the Governor proposed $114 million for the pay boost for educators is an election-time ploy, saying "Anytime is a good time for teachers in Louisiana to get the salaries they deserve.

From theadvocate.com:

Amid teacher unrest and a widening pay gap with other states, Gov. John Bel Edwards plans to recommend an election-year salary increase of at least $1,000 for public school teachers in 2019, officials said Friday.
In addition, the governor's plan would boost the pay of school cafeteria workers and other support personnel by $500 per year, all part of a $114 million package.
Teacher union leaders, long aligned with the governor, are hoping for a bigger pay hike but are working with Edwards' office.

The issue has been the subject of closed-door talks between leaders of the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the governor's office.
The LAE and the LFT, which are the state's two teacher unions, are aligned with Edwards, backed his bid for governor in 2015 and are expected to be key support groups when he runs for a second term next year.

To see how Louisiana's teachers' salaries stack up against other Southern states, JUST CLICK HERE!