Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1522302
M U L T I P L E C T A L O C A L S savored victories in the March Primary Election, electing pro-public educa- tion candidates to school boards, helping pass parcel taxes to fund essential school and district programs, and more. While both big and small, urban and suburban locals worked hard to mobilize members and voters, the throughline for all was courage: e courage to stand up and advocate for what is right, and to call out what is not. e courage to confront tough issues and jump into tough races; and to not be afraid to assert their power in the interests of students, schools and educators. Much of the work, of course, involved local mem- bers coming together to take action — to gather signatures, knock on doors, make phone calls, mail postcards and help raise visibility and funds. It also meant establishing alliances with community part- ners and elected officials, and talking to parents and others in the community about positive change that would make schools and communities stronger and more equitable. Some locals have been engaged in struggles with extremist school boards and groups for a while. Oth- ers — sometimes smaller or more remote — are in areas where dynamic unionism is less expected but has been embraced. Their successes are paving the way for chapters currently building the structures and supports they'll need for upcoming elections in June, November and beyond. A few examples: Glendale: Coalition-building makes the difference For the past few years, Glendale Teachers Association leaders and members have built effective coalitions with their community, including elected officials and local lead- ers, and numerous labor and health care partners. These strategic alliances have stood up to a wave of hate, bigotry and disinformation that saw educators receive threats of physical harm, an increase in bullying among students, and violence when Proud Boy extremists chased pride supporters out of a Glendale Unified School District board meeting. Their success was capped in the March Primary when voters elected former CTA board member Telly Tse and another GTA-endorsed candidate to the school board. The pair joined UTLA/CTA member Ingrid Gunnell, an incumbent on the board. "Our PAC committee, chaired by GTA Vice President Emily Rogers, ran a very successful campaign," explained GTA President Taline Arsenian. "We had a consistent and solid group of members showing up weekly to phone bank on Wednesdays and canvass door-to-door on Saturdays. We made several thousand phone calls and visited hun- dreds of homes. Our PAC sent out six mailers to voters in support of each candidate in the two election areas." Arsenian says GTA, with 1,215 members, also relied on external help. "Because teachers are working GTA members call for action. Victories at the Ballot Box How courageous locals won big in March and June Continued on Page 18 17 S U M M E R 2 0 24 Advocacy