The National Staff Organization (NSO) and the Louisiana State Staff Organization (LASSO) announced today that all sanctions against the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) have been withdrawn, following the resolution of recent labor relations issues between LAE management and LASSO.
The sanctions, which included a boycott of NEA shared staffing requests, were originally imposed in response to what NSO and LASSO described as violations of due process, transparency, and contractual obligations, including a reduction-in-force (RIF) and the termination of a veteran bargaining unit member.
Following discussions and actions taken by LAE leadership, NSO and LASSO confirmed that the concerns have been satisfactorily addressed.
“We’re encouraged by the progress made and the return to productive labor relations in Louisiana,” said NSO President Brad Darjean. “Now is the time for NSO members and NEA and state affiliate staff to show up and stand in solidarity by participating in shared staffing efforts to support Louisiana members.”
LASSO President Samuel Baynes expressed gratitude to NSO members for their support throughout the sanctions. “We are grateful for the unwavering support of NSO and our union siblings across the country,” Baynes said. “With just three field staff in Louisiana, we welcome all the help we can get to support our members and build power in the state.”
NSO Region 6 Director Matt Ryg emphasized the importance of collective action and a functioning labor relations process. “This is how the process works: when we stand together, we win,” Ryg said. “Labor relations matter, and our members showed up. Now, it’s time to keep showing up — in Louisiana and everywhere the work of our union calls us.”
“Sanctions are never our first move, but they’re always on the table when employers abandon the fundamentals of labor relations,” said Justin Zartman, NSO vice president for defense. “This resolution reaffirms that NSO will fiercely defend our members’ rights and that we expect every employer in this movement to live up to union standards.”
The National Staff Organization represents union staff from around the country, uniting professionals who support and strengthen the labor movement in every sector where unions thrive.
Grounded in a shared commitment to leadership, advocacy, and justice, NSO empowers its members to build strong contracts, protect union values, and champion the rights of workers nationwide. Learn more at www.nationalstaff.org and follow NSO on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.