St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees was one of seven LFT chapters to receive the Union Values in Action Award at the 45th annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ convention.

The award was for improving the lives of members, enhancing the influence of the union and advancing the mission of public education.

The award recognizes the efforts of local LFT chapters to promote the union agenda and express commitment to the values that make the federation the largest professional organization for teachers and school employees in Louisiana. “These federation chapters exemplify what the LFT stands for,” said LFT President Steve Monaghan. “The Union Values in Action Award serves as an inspiration and a road map for other chapters around the state. It shows how much can be accomplished when we are true to the principles that led us into the union movement in the first place.”

The awards were presented at the 45th annual LFT convention at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Kenner.

This year, St. Tammany Federation President Elsie Burkhalter got the attention of United States senators about a very important issue: the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions. Between the two of them, Louisiana’s teachers and school employees lose social security benefits to which they are entitled. It’s not just educators, but any Louisiana public employees, who are affected. That includes police officers, firefighters and other public servants.

Because of these provisions, retirees get only a fraction of their social security benefits. They are even denied survivor benefits from spouses who were fully vested in social security.

In response to the problem, the St. Tammany Federation launched a petition drive that collected thousands of signatures. Both Louisiana senators have now signed on as co-sponsors of the Social Security Fairness Act, which would abolish these offsets.

The federation’s campaign not only holds a promise for educators, but has enhanced the union’s image in the community as an organization that fights for the good and welfare of all citizens.