Summer 2016 Vol 18 No 2 Delegates at 2016 MEA-MFT rep. assembly mea-mft.org MEA-MFT A publication for members of MEA-MFT

‘WE are the MEA-MFT‘s NEA director. MEA-MFT’s local afiliates elect power of delegates to attend RA each year to represent their fellow local members this union!’ and conduct the business of our “Fired up, ready to go.” union. It’s democracy in action. Here “Feeling inspired and honored.” are some highlights of RA 2016: “What an experience!” Mission: Delegates voted That’s how some delegates to replace MEA-MFT’s lengthy described the 2016 MEA-MFT mission statement with a single representative assembly (RA), held sentence: “MEA-MFT is a union of April 1-2 in Helena. professionals advocating for our This year’s RA was one of the members, the communities we biggest ever, with around 340 serve, and the people of Montana.” delegates gathering from all across Business: Delegates debated and Montana. It also had the biggest passed dues and a budget for MEA- Ashley Johnson of Butte explains how to group of irst-time delegates in MFT. They also voted to explore use the representative assembly Twitter recent history. merging with the Montana Public hashtag (#MTra16) on Facebook. “We’re developing a deep bench Employees Association. of heavy-hitters,” noted board Board restructure: After a spirited at the NEA RA. member Amanda Curtis of Butte, debate and roll call vote, delegates Once the new board and district voted to restructure MEA-MFT’s restructure passed, delegates districts and board of directors. caucused in their new districts to (Details on pages 2 and 11.) nominate and elect a new slate of Elections: Delegates re-elected district chairs and vice chairs. District Eric Feaver as president and Melanie chairs, along with state oficers and Charlson as vice president. Amanda the director-at-large, make up MEA- Curtis continues as NEA director. MFT’s board of directors. With Rich Aarstad stepping down Celebrations & calls to action: as secretary-treasurer, delegates RA delegates honored the 2016 elected Kevin Bock to replace him. Members of the Year (page 3) They also re-elected Matt Bell and celebrated the demise of as director-at-large and elected the notorious Friedrichs lawsuit Ashley Johnson as state delegate that would have crippled public Meet our Members of the Year to the NEA representative assembly employee unions nationwide. and Hall of Fame inductees! in July. Student delegates elected Read more about RA throughout pp. 3 & 6 McKenzie Bradley to represent them this issue. bers and local afiliates. But leaner, meaner, and more focused, our new board will conidently learn how to keep MEA-MFT at the forefront of the Montana labor movement and a bright, shining star among state afili- ates in NEA and AFT.

MPEA merger? But blowing up the board was BY ERIC FEAVER not the only big event at our April MEA-MFT PRESIDENT representative assembly. By unanimous vote, delegates this context, we have reduced staff, adopted New Business Item #2: Rebuilding for staff costs, and ofice overhead. We At the direction of the president, have cut back the number of del- over the next year, MEA-MFT shall now and down egates we send to conventions of explore piecemeal or full merger op- the road our two national afiliates. We have portunities with the Montana Public stopped killing thousands of trees Employees Association (MPEA). The Blowing up the board and embraced electronic means president shall report outcomes to Early in April, 340 MEA-MFT mem- of communication and information the 2017 MEA-MFT RA. ber/leaders from bargaining units all sharing. We are doing what it takes This is the irst time ever an MEA- over Montana gathered together in to devote our members’ dues dol- MFT governing body has directly de- Helena for our annual representative lars to quality programs and services, clared support for launching merger assembly and blew up the board of from professional development to discussions with MPEA. directors. organizing to collective bargaining MEA-MFT and MPEA have It was a dramatic moment in our to leadership training to legislative worked together for years bargain- evolving union history, the most lobbying to days in court defend- ing the state employee pay plan, dramatic moment since the former ing member rights and core values. defending public employee deined Montana Education Association and We must prove again and again that beneit retirement, opposing so- Montana Federation of Teachers MEA-MFT is worth every dues penny called “right-to-work,” and growing merged 16 years ago and became our members pay. the AFL-CIO. All good. MEA-MFT. So, now we have a board of 22: For years we have adhered to When we merged, we married 17 districts, one director at large, and one memorandum of understand- two different boards of directors. four oficers, down from a board of ing after another pledging inter- That worked. Appropriate for the 34 with more directors sure to come est in each other’s well-being and moment. But as our merged union if our representative assembly had suggesting if not promising that an grew, the board grew, and, perhaps not blown the old board up. MEA-MFT/MPEA merger would be a unexpectedly, as it grew larger it be- Along with our oficers our entire good thing, if and when, for our two came less interactive. More directors new board is elected at and account- unions, the AFL-CIO, and the Mon- did not mean more individual voice, able to our representative assembly. tana labor movement. more engagement, more ownership This is huge. With one unavoidable We shall now see if that time is all in our union, what we do and why. exception, large local afiliates, be “if” or just a matter of “when.” Further, as our board grew larger, they in one community or statewide, If “when” is to come, yet another so did its costs. will no longer decide all by them- dramatic moment in the evolving Over the last several years, MEA- selves who will serve on our board of history of our GREAT union. MFT has done what good govern- directors. And whereas blowing up our old ments do — worked to live within our Yes, for sure, leaders on our new board of directors had to be done means. We know our members are board of directors will face intended regardless, our new board is far bet- not overcompensated for what they and unintended challenges explor- ter constituted to contemplate the do. And like taxes, dues matter. In ing ways to best represent our mem- possibility of an MPEA merger.

2 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org “Super Sue” Stewart, ESP of the Year, center, with MSDB friends.

Eric Feaver presents representatives of the Montana Federation of Historical Society Workers with their Public Employee Members of the Year plaque. For the irst time, the honor went to an entire local. school’s Visually Impaired Perform- Celebrating ers and the statewide Games for the Visually Impaired. our Members Stewart is one of just ive people in Montana certiied as a braille tran- of the Year scriptionist, translating documents Every year, MEA-MFT honors sev- into braille. As MSDB’s media clerk, eral members who are champions at she helps educators across Montana their jobs and in their local unions. get materials for students with visual Phil Condon, Faculty Member of the We celebrated the 2016 Members impairments. Year, speaks at the celebration. of the Year April 1, honoring the fol- “Ask her to take care of something lowing awardees: and you never have to think about Day after day, week after week, Sue Stewart, Education Support it again,” said MSDB retired teacher they gave up their lunch hour to Professional of the Year: “Super Pam Boesplug, introducing Stewart stand in the halls of the legislature, Sue” is what they call her at the Mon- at the celebration. “Ask her to do talking to legislators and holding tana School for the Deaf and Blind something really dificult that she has signs in support of the pay plan, (MSDB). For 25 years, paraeducator never done before and she replies, House Bill 13. They did it for all state and media clerk Sue Stewart has ‘No problem.’” (Continued on p. 12) devoted her life to helping students Montana Federation of Historical with visual impairments live inde- Society Workers, Public Employee pendent, happy lives. Members of the Year: They’re a A typical day could ind Stewart small local, about 30 members, MEA-MFT TODAY MEA-MFT Today published quarterly by MEA-MFT. helping a ive-year-old learn begin- but they’re mighty. And if life is all Third Class Nonproit Postage Paid at Billings, MT ning braille, teaching kids to swim, about showing up, then MEA-MFT 59101. Permit No. 88 showing students how to navigate members at the Montana Historical MEA-MFT Eric Feaver, President with a white cane, and job-coaching Society (MHS) are living large. 1232 E. 6th Ave. Erik Burke, Exec. Dir. a high school student. Case in point: During the last two Helena, MT 59601 Sanna Porte, Editor 800.398.0826 That’s just for starters. After hours, legislative sessions, MHS members www.mea-mft.org Stewart coaches goalball, spon- took the lead in ighting for the state sors Cane Club, and co-directs the employee pay plan.

3 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org Faces and voices at rep. assembly ‘16 MEA-MFT’s annual representative assembly (RA) is part family reunion, part business, and all member- driven. Here are just a few of the comments from delegates and others at RA 2016: Alice Robertson, student delegate from the University of Montana: “We feel very welcomed and valued, and I think we have a strong future at MEA-MFT.” (This year’s RA had one of largest student delegations ever.) Melissa Romano, MEA-MFT member and candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction: “I am a Montanan, a mother, a proud union member, and a teacher. In fact, Erin Nevers of Clinton rings delegates into session. Marita Combs photo I am still teaching full time through the end of the year while I continue biggest Educators’ Conferences is a no-brainer.“ campaigning.” ever. We have gained strength Tara Hirsch: “When President Erik Burke, MEA-MFT executive through our diversity. We have some Feaver calls on you, say YES!” director: “This is one of the biggest incredible heroes in this room.” Alice Robertson: “I just swore my RAs ever, following one of our Rich Aarstad, outgoing secretary- soul away to Membership Man un- treasurer of MEA-MFT: “Stepping up der threat of alien abduction!” is a good thing.” Lisa Pickens: “Fired up and ready to go.” #Mtra16 Anne Keith: “WE are the power of In a lurry of social media activity, this Union!” dozens of RA delegates posted and Ashley Winchell: “What an experi- tweeted at #Mtra16 during RA. Here ence!” are some samples: Megan Simons: “I’m heading Erin M. Farrell: “Feeling inspired home from Helena where I was and honored to take part in this proud to serve as a delegate for the important work!” MEA-MFT representative assembly. Luci McCausland: “Proud to be As a classiied employee and newly representing Bozeman at the annual appointed treasurer for my local, I MEA-MFT rep. assembly.” was impressed to see the camara- Sara Hull: “Saying YES and doing derie and solidarity that was demon- the work that matters with my strated and projected by all.” @MEA_MFT brothers and sisters!” Rita Wells: “The future of Mon- Michael Touchette: “2 candidates tana, its schools, and its jobs de- Helena Education Association delegates for Superintendent of Public Instruc- pends on MEA-MFT. Support it — applaud Governor Steve Bullock. tion. 1 endorsed by MEA-MFT. This start by having a voice locally.”

4 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org RA delegates give a standing ovation to Melissa Romano, candidate for Melissa Romano, candidate for Superintendent of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Marita Combs photo Public Instruction, addresses delegates.

Butte Teachers Union delegates. State employee delegates, with Federation of Probation and Parole members front & center.

MEA-MFT student delegates. Federation of Montana State Prison Employees delegates.

5 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org MEA-MFT HALL OF FAME! Sick leave, retirement beneits, a voice on the job — we take them for granted sometimes. But rights like these didn’t come free, and they sure weren’t bestowed on us by management. They were hard won by MEA-MFT’s trailblazers and pioneers. MEA-MFT celebrated three of these pioneers March 31, induct- ing them into the MEA-MFT Hall of Fame. Patty Myers of Great Falls said her union activism began when the Patty Myers and Joe Brookshier celebrate at the Hall of Fame event March 31. Great Falls school district tried to close the neighborhood school in tion became MEA-MFT, “the largest Black Eagle. public employee group in Montana, “I didn’t know a second-year, non- working for Montana’s people and tenured teacher wasn’t supposed to the middle class,” she said. get involved in school affairs,” she Joe Brookshier of Billings has recalled. So she spoke up at a town been an MEA-MFT member for 55 meeting and was “hooked.” years, starting as a junior in college. Myers went on to union leader- He has been a leader in the union all ship roles at the local, state, and of those years. national levels. Along the way, she “Joe has a passion for the union was named Montana Teacher of the and for the profession,” said Garth Year and chaired the Montana Board Cox, introducing Brookshier at the of Public Education. celebration. After serving eight years Nancy Keenan speaks to the Hall of She helped lead the charge when on the MEA-MFT board as an active Fame celebration crowd via video. the Montana Education Associa- member, he was the driving force that got MEA-MFT Retired going and movement,” Keenan said. “My dad strong. “Joe always has membership was a boilermaker at the smelter, “My union & yours, forms with him,” Cox said. and my mom was a union clerk. I MEA-MFT, has taken “It’s humbling to ind yourself got my irst union card when I was the third best teacher in the family,” 16, working at the state hospital. I the lead in fighting Brookshier quipped, referring to his worked my way through college wife and daughter, both teachers. shoveling ore at the smelter. When for working families, Anaconda native Nancy Keenan I returned to Anaconda to teach, I served three terms as Montana became a member of the old Ana- children, the middle Superintendent of Public Instruction, conda Teachers Union, AFL-CIO.” class, and everything where she earned fame as a pow- Keenan continued, “I am proud erful advocate for better funding, that my union and yours, MEA- that makes Montana higher standards, and technology in MFT, has taken the lead in ighting Montana’s schools. for working families, children, the our home.” “Two core values have informed middle class, and everything that NANCY KEENAN my life: education and the union makes Montana our home.”

6 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org graduate employees lead at least contract, completed in 2014, was 500 courses at MSU. a crucial irst step in giving them a Research assistants work along- voice in their working conditions and side MSU’s top professors on beginning to address compensation Quantum projects that bring in around 100 inequities. million research dollars each year to The local has made steady prog- leaps for GEO the university. They also write grants, ress since then. “GEO has increased mentor undergraduate research, membership, organized department members volunteer with research fairs, and act stewards and a steward council, put They’re on a roll, the graduate em- as emissaries for MSU research by together a communications plan, or- ployees at Montana State University. presenting at conferences around ganized socials, and inspired mem- Six years ago, they voted to form a the U.S. and the world. bers to get involved,” said MEA-MFT local union and afiliate with MEA- Yet for many years, MSU consid- Field Consultant Tammy Pilcher. MFT. Their union, the Graduate Em- ered graduate employees to be just GEO recently bargained its ployees Organization (GEO), started students, not employees. second contract, including a $130 off with 40 members. Compensation was often low and “stipend augmentation” over the Today, thanks to a team of GEO widely disparate between different next three years. leaders and with help from MEA- departments. Some graduate em- It’s a small but important step in MFT, membership has grown to ployees were paid less than the mini- the right direction. Right now, with more than 600. mum wage. Many had no beneits their modest paychecks and the high GEO consists of teaching as- and no grievance procedures if they cost of housing in Bozeman, gradu- sistants and research assistants. had problems with their employers. ate employees can easily spend half Teaching assistants work as tutors, Plus, graduate employees often their stipend on rent, with little left graders, lab instructors, and teachers felt their contributions were going over for fees, health care, and food, of record. Nellie Ciesielski, a teach- unnoticed by the university. Ciesielski said. ing assistant in the math department These factors drove graduate There’s a lot of work ahead. GEO and GEO president, estimates that employees to form GEO. Their irst members are on the case.

GEO delegates participate in the higher ed caucus at the 2016 MEA-MFT rep. assembly. From left: GEO members Anna Zelaya, Hannah Schweitzer, Nellie Ciesielski, Mike Coryell, Jim Junker, Eric Dunham; along with Francisco Saldivar, instructor at MSU Billings City College. Marita Combs photo

7 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org MEA-MFT members speak out for Melissa Romano Writing letters to the editor. tive way to get the word out about Calling fellow members. Sending good candidates. a check. Hosting or attending a “That’s why we have the ambi- fundraiser. Talking to friends, family tious goal of calling every MEA-MFT & fellow members. Voting. member, all 18,000 of them, by the These are a few of the ways MEA- end of summer to ask their support MFT members are stepping up to for Melissa Romano,” she said. “Me- support fellow MEA-MFT member lissa is a great candidate, but she’s and award-winning Helena teacher never run for ofice before, so a lot Melissa Romano for Superintendent of Montanans don’t know her. Our Melissa Romano of Public Instruction. members are trusted messengers in “Elections affect my life, my family, their communities. When MEA-MFT for Superintendent and the lives of the children I teach. members speak, people listen.” of Public Instruction That’s why I’m supporting Melissa Inspired to help? Contact Terry PAward-winning teacher. Romano,” said MEA-MFT member Minow at 406.442.4250 or tminow@ Rachel Schillreff of Billings. mea-mft.org. POne of us: MEA-MFT member. “I was excited that we called fel- Phone ringing? Take the call! PDevoted to our students, quality low members about Melissa from If your caller ID shows MEA-MFT education, public schools. the loor of MEA-MFT RA this spring, is calling, please take the call. The and I’m looking forward to doing person on the other end of the you know Melissa Romano is run- more calls this summer. I’ve found line is most likely a fellow member, ning, if you support her, and if you our members want to hear from a volunteer calling in support of have time to help her get elected. If their union about which candidates Melissa Romano for Superintendent she is coming to your town, they’ll stand up for our values.” of Public Instruction. tell you about that, too. MEA-MFT Political Director Terry MEA-MFT volunteers are friendly, Make their day, say YES, and thank Minow said phone calls are an effec- quick, and to the point. They ask if them for calling!

Calling for Melissa: MEA-MFT delegates called nearly 2,000 fellow members from the loor of rep. assembly in April, encouraging them to vote for Melissa Romano. That’s just the beginning. You can help!

8 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org Why Steve Bullock deserves your support and your vote MEA-MFT strongly recommends Governor Steve Bullock for re-elec- tion. Under his leadership over the last four years, Montana has seen: • Unprecedented state invest- ments in public education. • Saving and funding the TRS and PERS pension plans. • Two consecutive state employ- ee pay plan increases. MEA-MFT rep. assembly delegates show their support for Gov. Steve Bullock. • Signiicant pay increases for front line correctional and probation consin. For sure, we will not enjoy a and parole oficers. governor dedicated to quality public • Medicaid Expansion to provide education, state employees, and or- health care for working low-income ganized labor like Steve Bullock is.” Montanans. The choice is very clear: A vote • Major efforts to provide state for Steve Bullock is a vote for a funding for early childhood educa- leader who is on our side, a gover- tion and an infrastructure bill good nor who will work for quality public for all Montana. He has not given up education and quality public ser- on either of these agenda items. vices for all Montanans. • Absolutely necessary vetoes of two public school privatization bills Candidate and a number of tax-cutting propos- als that would devastate funding for endorsements public services and education. The following candidates for state- In addition, Bullock is the only wide ofice have been interviewed, governor in America to side with the Gov. Bullock addresses rep. assembly. and their records and public state- public unions of America by writing ments have been carefully reviewed. an amicus on our behalf in Friedrichs Gianforte sued to block public ac- MEA-MFT proudly presents the v. CTA, the right-wing-funded court cess to public land. He supports endorsed statewide candidates: case that sought to cripple public schemes to turn federal land over to Governor: Steve Bullock employee unions. the state that will lead to selling off Superintendent of Public Instruc- In contrast to Bullock’s record of public land Montanans rely on for tion: Melissa Romano achievement, his opponent, Greg ishing, hunting, and recreating. U.S. Congress: Denise Juneau Gianforte, does not support issues Gianforte funds the Montana Fam- Attorney General: Tim Fox important to MEA-MFT members. ily Foundation, the group leading State Auditor: Jesse Laslovich Gianforte famously said that the push for privatization of Mon- Secretary of State: Monica Lindeen retirement is not “biblical,” pointing tana’s public schools. Supreme Court Chief Justice: Mike out that Moses was still working at MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver McGrath the age of 600 and implying that said, “We believe if Greg Gianforte Supreme Court Justice: Dirk Montanans don’t need to retire. is elected, we will soon look like Wis- Sandefur and Jim Shea

9 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org to “scholarship” organizations that wing organizations moved in. Two SB 410: give money to private schools and to groups with ties to the billionaire public school innovations. And the Koch brothers of Kansas-based Koch what next? battle has moved to a new front. Industries have been working to Public schools are the people’s SB 410 says the state must adhere overturn the DOR’s ruling. schools. They are governed by “we to the Montana constitution. Mon- The Virginia-based Institute for the people.” They give all children tana’s constitution speciically pro- Justice is representing three Mon- a chance to succeed. They form the hibits the state from making direct or tana women who sued DOR in foundation of our democracy. Priva- indirect appropriations (payments) Flathead County district court. All tizing schools would seriously erode of public funds to support sectar- three send their children to Stillwater our democracy. ian (religious) schools. It’s all about Christian School in Kalispell. That’s why MEA-MFT has always protecting the separation of church The California-based Paciic opposed efforts to divert public and state. Legal Foundation is representing a taxpayer funds to private, sectar- So when the Montana Depart- Missoula family who sued DOR in ian schools. We had won this battle ment of Revenue (DOR), the agency federal district court. The family’s son every legislative session for decades, charged with implementing SB 410, attends Valley Christian School in against all odds. drew up the rules for SB 410, it cor- Missoula. But the 2015 Montana legislature rectly ruled that the bill cannot apply This spring, a Flathead County dis- passed Senate Bill 410, a bill giving to religious schools. trict court judge found in favor of the tax credits to those who contribute That’s when out-of-state right- Continued on p. 11

10 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org New MEA-MFT board structure SB 410 The 2016 MEA-MFT representative assembly voted to adopt the From p. 10 following new structure for the MEA-MFT board of directors. Board members religious school parents. (Espinoza v. were elected at representative assembly by local delegates. Montana Dept. of Revenue) “We believe the judge’s decision Nine geographic preK-12 districts including all certiied teachers and Head Start employees: is in error, incomplete, and imme- DIST.# COUNTIES CHAIR diately appealable,” said MEA-MFT 1 Flathead, Lincoln, Lake, Sanders Gene Marcille, Columbia Falls President Eric Feaver. “The State of Montana will appeal. 2 Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite Janice Muller, Hamilton The state knows the Department of 3 Lewis and Clark, Powell, Deer Lodge, Jeff Cowee, Helena Revenue’s rules are in concert with Silver Bow, Jefferson, Beaverhead SB 410 and the Montana constitu- 4 Broadwater, Madison, Meagher, Kathy Rutherford, Bozeman tion. But better yet, the Montana Gallatin, Park, Wheatland, Sw. Grass Quality Education Coalition (MQEC) 5 Cascade, Pondera, Judith Basin, Shelli Lavinder-Schwalk, Gt. Falls has agreed to defend our constitu- Teton, Glacier, Toole tion.” 6 Liberty, Hill, Chouteau, Fergus, Wendy Plumage-Maratita, Harlem MQEC, a broad-based coalition of Petroleum, Blaine, Phillips groups that support public schools, 7 Valley, McCone, Daniels, Sheridan, Laurie Enebo, Glasgow including MEA-MFT, the Montana Prairie, Roosevelt, Richland, Dawson, School Boards Association, School Wibaux Administrators of Montana, and 8 Carter, Fallon, Custer, Powder River, Jesse Barnhart, Broadus others, is the group that successfully Rosebud, Treasure, Big Horn, Garield litigated for adequate school fund- ing in 2003. 9 Yellowstone, Stillwater, Musselshell, Rita Wells, Billings Golden Valley, Carbon “MQEC has engaged legal coun- sel and iled for intervenor status in Eight statewide districts: Espinoza,” Feaver said. “Montana’s DIST.# MEMBER GROUP CHAIR entire education community is ready 10 PreK-higher education classiieds Scott Proctor, Billings to defend public schools and the 11 Coalition of University Faculty Glen Southergill, Butte state constitution.” At issue is whether a tax credit is 12 Dept. of Revenue Valerie Clague, Helena an appropriation (payment) of mon- 13 Public Health & Human Services Julianna Crowley, Missoula ey. “We believe under our constitu- (MT Fed. of Health Care Employees, MT Developmental Center, MT tion, the answer is yes,” Feaver said. Veterans Home, Warm Springs, Fed. of Licensed Addiction Counselors, Butte Fed. of LPNs, DPHHS) “It’s public money that otherwise would have gone into Montana’s 14 Dept. of Corrections Tom Fulton, Miles City general fund. If you take that money (Probation & Parole, State Prison, Riverside, Pine Hills, Women’s Prison) out of the general fund, you take it 15 Miscellaneous state employees Rich Aarstad, East Helena away from public schools and other (MT Historical Society; MT School for the Deaf & Blind; Youth Challenge; public services.” Fish, Wildlife & Parks) The amount of money in ques- 16 City/county employees Josh Racki, Great Falls tion may seem minor now: Under 17 MEA-MFT Retired Ron Kimmet, Bozeman SB 410, the total tax credit program is capped at $3 million for the irst One director-at-large: Matt Bell, Missoula year, and an individual donation to

“scholarship” organizations is limited Four state oficers: President Eric Feaver, Helena to $150. Vice President Melanie Charlson, Missoula But the group that backed SB 410, Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Bock, Helena the Montana Family Foundation, has NEA Director Amanda Curtis, Butte Continued on p. 12

11 | MEA-MFT Today | Summer 2016 | mea-mft.org Nonproit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 88 1232 East Sixth Avenue Billings, MT Helena, MT 59601

MEA-MFT Members of the Year (From p. 3) employees. “Without their efforts, state employees wouldn’t have seen a pay raise last session,” said MEA- MFT Field Consultant Larry Nielsen. “They showed how to organize, be effective, and have fun with it.” Christy Eckerle, president of the MHS local, accepted the award at the celebration. “We are all so different in age, in experience, in political views,” she said, “Republican, Democrat, and yes, there are even some creationists among us. I thank you for allowing our differences to make us strong. I thank God, who is the architect of justice and compassion, the ideals that we stand for in our union.” Montana Federation of Historical Society Workers, Phil Condon, and Sue Stewart are Phil Condon, Faculty Member honored as MEA-MFT’s 2016 Members of the Year. of the Year: Phil Condon teaches environmental and nature writing at the University of Montana, where he ing president of UFA, introducing SB 410 directs the Environmental Studies Condon at the Members of the Year From p. 11 department. He is also a former brick celebration. already said it will try to increase the worker and member of the Brick- Condon has served as acting donation limit to $300 or more in layers and Allied Craftsmen union. president, leading his local through the 2017 legislative session. Before that, he worked in a packing a dificult time of transition, and Feaver pointed to Arizona, which house in Omaha as a member of the chief negotiator and vice president created the irst such tax credit 18 meat packers union. for UFA. One of his main interests is years ago. “Arizona’s tax credit start- “It was dangerous work,” Condon collaboration between blue collar ed with an estimated impact of $4.5 said. “I learned the union steward workers and conservationists. million each year,” he said. “Now it was the one you talked to if some- “The right wing tries to divide tops $200 million annually. thing seemed unsafe.” us,” he said. “But we really can have “The same could happen in Mon- In his current local union, the Uni- good jobs, good pay, and a good, tana. If we can’t kill this beast, it’ll just versity Faculty Association, Condon clean, healthy environment.” grow. SB 410 is a clear danger to has “served non-stop on the UFA Congratulations to all our MEA- funding not just for public schools board,” said Dave Shively, outgo- MFT Members of the Year! but all state services.”