AFT President, Secretary-Treasurer to retire
The American Federation of Teachers sent out the following message on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. It was sent as a statement from AFT President Ed McElroy.
I want to let you know that AFT secretary-treasurer Nat LaCour and I plan to retire at the AFT convention this coming July. Nat and I shared our plans today with the AFT executive council at our regularly scheduled meeting.
It has been my privilege to lead this great union and to work with so many of you to advance our mission. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved, which include driving member activism and political involvement deep into the union, helping shape crucial policies affecting our members and those they serve, and planning for and adapting to the changing landscape in which we operate.
The customary elections process described in the AFT bylaws and constitution will be carried out at our July convention, where delegates will elect the AFT officers and 39 vice presidents. AFT executive vice president Antonia Cortese will stand for re-election. I am confident that the AFT will continue to grow in strength and numbers, and will remain at the forefront of the fight to improve the lives of all Americans.
I want to say a few words about Nat LaCour, who, as I mentioned, also plans to retire this summer. Nat was an incredibly effective president of the United Teachers of New Orleans, and has been equally indispensable as an AFT national officer. Nat’s counsel and capabilities have benefited our union more than I can say.
A union’s strength is in its members. You are the AFT. You are our strength, our voice, our presence and our promise. The fact that you are receiving this message indicates that you have taken a stand for your union and for our movement. I want to thank you, and I want to urge you to continue to make your union strong. I know Nat joins me in wishing you-and our wonderful union-the very best.
In unity, Edward J. McElroy,AFT President.
This article was originally published in the print edition of Substance, April 2008.
