AFT and East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers on Postponed Walkout

East Baton Rouge, La.—President Randi Weingarten and East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers President Angela Reams-Brown issued the following statement upon ExxonMobil’s removal of its industrial property tax exemption request from the Oct. 31 Industry and Commerce Board meeting:

“Teachers, bus drivers and other school support workers want the best for the kids and the schools of this community. That’s why, to protect the kids of East Baton Rouge, we had to speak out when a wealthy oil company asked our local government for a tax break at the expense of textbooks, school building repairs and teacher salaries.

“ExxonMobil has backed down—for now. And its accusation that we’re using citizens to promote our agenda is one we’ll gladly accept: Citizens want good public schools, and we’re willing to fight for them if this issue comes before the board again.”