Louisiana Teachers Unions

Louisiana teachers unions represent public school educators and advocate for their rights, working conditions, and public education. The two main unions are the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Educators. Both provide support through advocacy, legal services, and professional development.

Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE)

Leadership

• President: Dr. Tia T. Mills
• Vice President: D’Shay Rushing Oaks

Organization
The Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) is the state’s largest teachers’ union, representing about 18,000 public school employees. As an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), LAE advocates for quality public education, educator rights, and improved working conditions. It also offers legal support, professional development, and a voice in state education policy.

Member Dues
The Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) sets annual dues based on the average dues of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Southeast Region and is generally around $150 annually. These funds support essential member services, including legal representation, professional development programs, advocacy for public education, and various member benefits.

Meetings
The Louisiana Association of Educators holds meetings throughout the year to address organizational governance, member advocacy, and professional development. These meetings focus on setting policy priorities, planning legislative initiatives, and supporting educators across the state.

Requirements
To join LAE, individuals must be employed in Louisiana’s public education system as teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, librarians, or support staff. LAE also offers membership options for aspiring educators enrolled in teacher preparation programs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Offers legal support, professional development, and workplace advocacy.
• Affiliation with the NEA provides a voice in national education policy.
• Members gain access to a wide range of national resources and tools.

Cons

• Influence may be limited in districts with less active local chapters.
• Some educators may prefer organizations with a stronger focus on individual professional growth.
• Broader policy advocacy may not align with every member’s priorities.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT)

Leadership

• President: Larry Carter
• Executive VP: Jackie Lansdale
• Secretary-Treasurer: Teri Johnson

Organization
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT) is a statewide union representing teachers, paraprofessionals, and school employees. It advocates for collective bargaining rights, fair pay, and better working conditions, while also taking an active role in legislative efforts to support educators and strengthen public education across the state.

Member Dues
The union does not set a fixed statewide dues rate. Instead, dues are determined by the local affiliate and the member’s employment status. For example, in St. Tammany Parish, annual dues range from approximately $188 for part-time support employees to $660 for full-time certificated staff. These dues help fund legal support, professional development, advocacy, and other member benefits that support school employees across Louisiana.

Meetings
LFT holds an annual convention where elected delegates set union policy. The Executive Board, elected by the convention for three-year terms, implements these policies and manages organizational matters between conventions. These meetings focus on setting policy priorities, planning legislative initiatives, and supporting educators across the state.

Requirements
To join the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT), individuals must sign up through their specific local union chapter. Membership is open to educators and school employees across Louisiana. Members are required to stay current with their annual dues and adhere to the organization’s policies and code of conduct.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• LFT advocates for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.
• The organization provides legal assistance and support for workplace-related issues.
• Members have access to financial services, insurance programs, and national discounts.

Cons

• Annual dues may be a financial consideration for some educators.
• The organization’s impact can vary by region, depending on local chapter activity.
• Some members have raised concerns about union leadership and spending priorities.

Exercise Your Rights

Union membership is a choice. If you decide union membership is not right for you, opting out is easy.