ROOTS OF OCFT/AFT MUCH OLDER THAN 25 YEARS

September 1997 is a historic time for the Oklahoma City Federation of Teachers, Local # 2309. Twenty-five years ago on September 1, 1972, the OCFT's "AFT Charter" was granted. Twenty names are on that charter. Twenty Oklahoma City teachers who recognized the need for a Teachers' Union to represent them before the District I-89 School Board. Twenty Teachers who demonstrated great courage in publicly identifying themselves with a movement that the district and the community viewed as a threat to the status quo.

OKLAHOMA TEACHERS' FEDERATION LOCAL # 6 

The roots of this new Local go much further back than 1972. All the way back to April 14, 1913. On letterhead high school stationery, "The High School - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma" (it was later named Central High School and today is a Southwestern Bell Telephone Company office complex), Mr. C. C. Conway wrote a letter to the Chicago "Teachers Federation of Men" inquiring about the benefits of belonging to the forming American Federation of Teachers.

After receiving a response back from the Chicago AFT supporters, the Oklahoma Teachers' Federation (already affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, the Oklahoma State Federation of Labor, and the OKC Trades Council) began to promote for the American Federation of Teachers. "We have a live organization here, and have spent a busy year talking organization to the teachers over the state. We have succeeded in stirring up a strong union sentiment." Letter from Miss Greta Hansen, Secretary-Treasurer of OTF dated February 23, 1914.

Support for a national teachers union was supported by a majority of the 30 OTF members. But, concerns over the national union dues prompted more questions. The dues question being answered (.10 cents per person monthly), the OTF applied for a charter as a founding Local of the American Federation of Teachers.

The AFT charter was dated May 11, 1916. Over a period of time the membership dwindled from a high in membership of 55 to about 26 who became discouraged and allowed the Local to disband.

The desire for professional recognition doesn't die easy. The obstacles to maintaining Local # 6 caused its death, but the National AFT grew. Number 6 was given to the Washington, D. C. Local where it continues today as an active Local. Public education continues to fight giant opponents in Washington, D. C.. Local # 6 continues to be in the forefront to defend public education and resist the destructive proposals for "school vouchers".

April 3, 1944, Daily Oklahoman article: "…the Oklahoma City yellow dog contract fight is not over (Irvin R. Keunzil, national executive secretary of AFT). In fact, we have just begun to fight the notorious yellow dog contract, which H. B. Bruner, school superintendent, and members of the Board of Education have forced teachers here to sign, (it) is a violation of the fundamental principles of democracy for which the boys are fighting and dieing on the battle fronts."

A national boycott was organized against Oklahoma City. "(Through the 600 labor papers in the United States - all members of organized labor were urged to)…avoid Oklahoma City on their travels and to use as few Oklahoma City products as possible as long as the yellow dog contract is in force."

OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL # 423 

The will to have Federation representation continued in different areas of the state. The frustrations of Oklahoma Teachers reached a high point in 1964. Four state questions for the improved support of public education were defeated. Using the numbers of two of the state questions, two new state Locals were formed in January of 1965: the Mid-Del Federation of Teachers, Local # 421 and the Tulsa Federation of Teachers, Local # 422.

Oklahoma City Teachers also sought to organize a new local. David Lollis, referred to in newspapers as David Lawless, Jackson Junior High School Biology and Physical Science Teacher, was one of the leaders to re-establish a second local in the Oklahoma City School District. Organizing meetings and membership applications were distributed for OCFT Local # 423, the third number of one of the four defeated state questions.

January 1965, Daily Oklahoman article: "(quoted Lollis) Teachers have more problems than industrial workers. I see no solution (to teachers problems) unless the AFT helps. If we join a union, we'll have a voice."

February 8, 1965, article: OCFT Local # 423 was active and outspoken despite its size (about 50 of 2,400 teachers) concerning teachers issues. Acknowledging that the Local did exist, Dr. Jack Parker, superintendent of OKC Public Schools, "… said it is not likely that the city board of education will bargain with a union representative over contracts with 50 teachers."

February 23, 1965, article: "Teachers have a right to join any professional organization, including a teachers' union, without fear of reprisals." What an amazing statement to be made by Superintendent Parker in light of the OKC District's 1944 yellow dog contract position. It would be almost 10 more years before an OCFT local would win a collective bargaining election and negotiate for Oklahoma City teachers.

But, Local # 423 had achieved a major reversal of the "yellow dog contract" philosophy in the OKC school district. This reversal had been achieved under duress and threats, if not with actual reprisals. The local had been denied meeting areas, denied payroll deductions, warnings that their pay would be docked if they did not attend the traditional October state teachers meeting, denied use of bulletin boards, etc.. It takes a person of conviction, professional integrity, and courage to stand up and work for change in the face of strong opposition. The members and officers of # 423 demonstrated all of these attributes.

Once again, the pressure and stress of fighting to gain Union rights took a heavy toll on the members and officers. Members left the district for other school districts, other jobs or for advanced university work. Over time, the membership declined and the second local faded away. Its records and charter were lost.

OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL # 2309 

The battles fought. The lessons learned during the late 1960's provided the foundation for the third AFT organizing effort in OKC. A popular bumper sticker among city teachers in the early 1970's was "AFT Always For Teachers". It expressed the hope and challenge for the future. The negotiated agreements for District I-89 teachers were weak, contained ineffective language, and provided no protections for members of the bargaining unit. Teacher frustrations continued to fester below the surface.

An AFT Organizational Committee was formed during the 1971-72 school year. Frances Parman, elementary teacher, would chair the committee to its successful chartering of Local #2309 in September of the 72-73 school year. In spite of efforts to reform the local ACT, the problems, anger, and frustrations continued.

Signed authorization cards to select the Bargaining Representative was a farce. The OKC District's procedures for counting the cards thwarted the will of the majority. The OCFT could never win a "card count". In fact, in the "card count" there were far more cards counted than there were teachers in the district. The District permitted ACT to turn in EARLIER signed cards of teachers who signed LATER dated cards for the AFT. Double counting of teacher cards was the District's procedure to insure that the AFT could not win the representation of the District's teachers.

Using the OKC procedures for "card counting" as evidence, the OCFT urged the state legislature to change the collective bargaining law to permit a "secret ballot" election rather than signed cards. Local# 2309 was successful. A new procedure was passed and became law.

Under the new law the OCFT circulated petitions among OKC teachers. More than 30% indicated they wanted an election to select their Bargaining Agent. October 15, 1974 the OCFT won the first true Collective Bargaining election in the history of the state. Since 1974, the Oklahoma City Federation has never lost in a challenge election.

The new local was told, "You've done the easy part by winning the collective bargaining right…NOW comes the really hard part of negotiating a meaningful contract and ENFORCING IT." Truer words were never spoken. The Local was to find out just how true in a few short years.

Collective bargaining broke down in August of 1979. The District's "take it or leave it" attitude at the negotiating table forced the District teachers to make a very serious decision…a teachers' strike. Elementary planning time, coaches compensation, teacher compensation, and many other proposed non-money items caused the teachers to vote to withhold their services.

The teachers paid a high price in wages, emotions, and professional zeal. The Oklahoma City District attempted to "decertify" the Federation forever. As the Board's attorney often said, "Decertification is like a diamond…FOREVER." That was not what the state law said and it took two more CB elections and a lawsuit going to the State Supreme Court for the OCFT to get back to the bargaining table and addressing teacher concerns.

There are at least two lessons to be learned from OCFT's history. One, dogged determination and personal courage can ultimately produce the opportunity to improve the status and treatment of the teachers in the classrooms. Two, the loss of everything accomplished over a very long time can be lost by later teachers who lack the collective determination and personal courage to protect those hard won earlier accomplishments.

The history of AFT Locals in Oklahoma City stretches from 1913 to 2000. Eighty-seven years of hard work and inch by inch progress. Each Local building on the accomplishments of the prior Local. That history needs to be collected and put into written form. If you have any records or information, contact President Ted Metscher and arrange for the materials to be collected. If you have any interest in working on a Local # 2309 History Committee, contact Ted also.