Teachers at Lusher Charter School voted against joining a union.
The final vote was 54 in favor of the union and 77 against. A smaller group of paraprofessionals also voted separately, with eight for, five against and three challenged votes.
The National Labor Relations Board organized yesterday's secret ballot election, after Lusher's board decided not to voluntarily recognize the union.
Lusher English teacher and union organizer Larisa Gray tried to find a silver lining in the defeat. “I think we set a really good example for our students,” she said. “I think they got to see their teachers really engaged in something that was really important to them. They got to see a democratic process that was very grassroots. And I think most students don't ever get to see that in action.”
She's not sure whether United Teachers of Lusher will challenge the election results. Gray spoke outside the school's gates, just after the final count. Lusher wouldn't allow the public inside, even though the labor board says media can observe ballot counts.
Lusher CEO Kathy Riedlinger released a written statement saying the school “looks forward to again focusing all of our united attention” on students and “maintaining an excellent working environment for our teachers and staff.”
Lusher would have been the third New Orleans charter school with a union, joining Ben Franklin High School and Morris Jeff Community School. A fourth charter, International High School, may vote on a union later this month.
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