Randi Weingarten, American Federal of Teachers President, to
George Parker, WTU President
July 29, 2008

George Parker, President
Washington Teachers Union, Local 6
490 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Suite 7200
Washington, DC 20024

Dear President Parker:

In my first week as AFT president, I have been besieged with letters and emails from members of the Washington Teachers Union who are deeply concerned about their contract negotiation process. These members have express grave concerns about various proposals related to contract negations for DCPS members that have been reported in the media recently. Further, they are troubled by the lack of information flowing from local leaders to the membership and the absence of opportunities to get answers from their union without management present. Their concerns push the question about union democracy, openness and overall fairness in the process. According to the staff here in the national office, this level of outpouring from members seeking direct assistance from the national union is extraordinary. This is an enormous concern to me personally.

As a local leader, I believe wholeheartedly in our union’s tradition of local autonomy. I recognize and respect that the task of negotiating a contract belongs to the chief negotiators — namely the local president and the negotiating team. I also accept that, as president of our national union, I have a fiduciary responsibility to all of our members. The people writing these letters are both WTU and AFT members. Rightfully, they expect their elected leaders to defend the right of members to be fully informed about the negotiations process and to assure the opportunity for complete and fair engagement in the democratic operations of the union.

As you and George Bordenave discussed, as a first step we plan to engage an independent pollster to gather data on members’ attitudes about the information they have received. Additionally, we will prepare materials to help them digest the complex information with which you and Chancellor Rhee presented them during last week’s meetings.

I look forward to meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss ways in which we can work together in this crucial time to bring about the best resolution for our members and for the students they serve.

In Unity,

Randi Weingarten
President

RW:cc opeiu#2 aft-cio