Tag Archives: torey alston

Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco Finally Responds To Union Certification Woes With Another Attack On School Board Members

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BTU President Anna Fusco

Days after REDBROWARD revealed the Broward Teachers Union (BTU) failed to achieve automatic union certification with less than sixty percent of dues paying membership, President Anna Fusco has finally addressed the matter. On Monday, BTU promised a forthcoming coming email from Fusco would “clear up the fake news” about the decertification process. During a School Board workshop on Tuesday, David Azzarito, the District’s Chief People Person, confirmed BTU (and its Units) failed to be automatically certified.

So much for “fake news.”

On Wednesday, Fusco sent an email to teachers. In the email, Fusco attacked School Board Members Torey Alston and Brenda Fam by name.

Fusco wrote, “Torey Alston, along with anti-worker Board Member Brenda Fam, is spreading misinformation about the BTU and the upcoming PERC elections. We are not surprised that these two continue to attack educators and support staff.”

Neither Alston nor Fam plays any role in the union certification process. By Florida law, the certification and recertification processes are done by the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC).

Here is Anna Fusco’s entire email:

As many of you may have heard, fresh off of his resounding defeat, Torey Alston, along with anti-worker Board Member Brenda Fam, is spreading misinformation about the BTU and the upcoming PERC elections. We are not surprised that these two continue to attack educators and support staff.

These are the same people who:

• Voted against your salary increases and later, even tried to take : Contrue to tree tooth and nay:

Voted against referendum money, and to deny salary increases to

Now, they want you to leave the only union that fought AGAINST all of this. Hmm, I wonder why they want to get rid of the BTU….

It is true that under anti-union legislation passed in 2023, certain unions representing public works in Florida must report their membership rate on a yearly basis, and if their membership is below a super-majority of 60%, they must petition for an election with the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC).

PERC is processing the BU’s petitions and elections will soon be hold.

No determination has yet been made about whether those elections will be conducted on-site or by mail ballots.

But let’s be clear – the BTU has not been decertified.

BTU remains the certified bargaining representative of all four units – Education Professionals (EP), Education Support Professionals (ESP), and Technical Support Professionals (TSP), supervisory and non-supervisory personnel.

Because we are united, have contracts, and are represented by the BTU, management cannot unilaterally change benefits, or other terms and conditions employment.

Your contracts remain in full force and effect and all of your rights and benefits remain secure.

It’s undeniable that anti-union politicians are working hard to silence our voices, but we will not allow them to succeed. Now, more than ever, we must stand united and ensure that our union remains strong by boosting our membership. Our strength lies in our numbers, and by standing together, we protect our careers, our contracts, and the future of our profession.

Voting to keep BTU as our bargaining representative is not just a choice; it’s a necessity to safeguard everything we’ve fought for.

A “yes” vote keeps BTU strong, while a “no” vote doesn’t just weaken us—it removes the ability for ANY union to represent us.

A “no” vote means no other union, leaving us all unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation. We cannot, and will not, allow teachers to become ununionized and stripped of their collective power.

This is our moment to rally our colleagues, encourage them to join BTU, and show that we are an unbreakable force. Together, our voice is powerful, and our unity is our greatest strength!

Thank you very much.

In Solidarity,

Anna Fusco, President

Broward Teachers Union

Know someone who’s not a member?

“Whitewash?” Satirical Ad Mocks Lack Of Diversity On Broward School Board

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A satirical advertisement mocking the lack of diversity on the Broward County School Board was sent to elected officials, voters and prominent leaders in the African-American community. Multiple sources confirmed to REDBROWARD that the advertisement, sent via text message, was received by individuals throughout Broward County. An image of current school board members and candidates is labeled “The White Caucus.”

According to the text message, “Diversity is bad for business.”

The rest of the satirical message states:

“We have the biggest opportunity to whitewash the Broward School Board. Help us get these candidates elected so they can continue to ignore the needs of the minority and marginalized communities of Broward County. Vote the white caucus on Aug. 20 because diversity is bad for business.”

BROWARD DEMOCRAT RACIAL DIVIDE

The delivery of this text message came days after prominent Broward Democrat leaders urged followers to vote against Democrats on the Broward School Board.

Earlier this month, Bobby Henry, publisher of The Westside Gazette (the largest African-American newspaper in South Florida), told readers he was tired of the actions of several Democrats on the Broward School Board. On his webcast, Henry stated he had issues with Board Member Debbi Hixon as well as her fellow School Board Member Jeff Holness.

In a editorial published days later, Bobby Henry, a staunch Democrat, urged his readers to uphold “integrity and equity” by voting for Torey Alston and Tom Vasquez. Both men are Republicans.

“The recent events within our school board have highlighted concerning disparities and biases that demand urgent scrutiny and action,” Henry wrote. “[I]t has become abundantly clear that critical principles of fairness, transparency, and justice have been compromised. As a community, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the concerning actions of certain board members, particularly in matters where clear biases and dismissive attitudes have marred the decision-making process.”

Henry wrote the African-American community was concerned certain Board Members “may be unduly influenced by agendas that prioritize certain communities over others.”

“Every marginalized community deserves equitable treatment, respect, and consideration in the decision-making processes of our educational institutions,” Henry wrote.

Henry stated, “The implications of allowing individuals like Hixon to continue exerting influence on our school board are far-reaching and detrimental to the welfare of our students, educators, and communities. It is imperative that we vote for candidates who prioritize fairness, ethics, and inclusivity in their governance.”

Henry urged his readers to support Alston and Vasquez because they demonstrated a “commitment to upholding ethical standards and advocating for the well-being of all stakeholders in our educational system.”

It is unclear who sent the satirical text message. The number appears to be unlisted or “spoofed.” Also, the text message lists an organization that is clearly not behind the message.

(REDBROWARD chose not to name the organization. We also obscured the images of Board Members and candidates.)

School Board Member Debbi Hixon is running against Tom Vasquez. 

School Board Member Torey Alston is running against Rebecca Thompson, the former president of the Broward Young Democrats. 

School Board Member Jeff Holness is running against Reverend Windsor Ferguson. 

School Board Member Daniel Foganholi is running against Maura Bulman and Chris Cantor. 

School Board Member Sarah Leonardi is running against Jason Loring.

Early voting in Broward continues through today. Election Day is Tuesday August 20, 2024.