Pittston Area Federation of Teachers, Local 1590
"There must be a collective will to make headway in solving our educational problems. Such collective will must be created, organized, vitalized, and directed by concerned, knowledgeable, dedicated people like you. Such action must take place to the end that effective schools will exist for all children."
Robert Cavanaugh
The Pittston Area Federation of Teachers was born on September 21, 1965, when the application of the Pittston Area Teachers Federation for affiliation with the American Federation of Teachers was granted and charter number 1590 was issued. The PAFT was welcomed by Charles Cogen, President of the American Federation of Teachers , Frank Sullivan, area Vice President, Herbert Leifer, Pennsylvania State Federation Treasurer, and Robert Cavanaugh, Pennsylvania State Federation President. Local 1590 also affiliated with the local Central labor Body and the State Federation of Labor and the AFL/CIO.
The Charter was formally presented on Nov. 16, 1965 at 7:30 p.m. in the ILGWU headquarters at 77 South Main Street, Pittston Pa. Robert Cavanaugh, President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers made the presentation. Local labor leaders
were guests at the installation ceremony where newly elected officers were seated. Copies of the Charter were sent to Anthony Ferrara, Secretary of the Pittston City School Board. The first charter officers of the PAFT were James Clark President, Esther McHale, Vice President Charles Zambetti, Secretary, and James English, Treasurer. The first constitution of local 1590 was distributed to the members at the first general meeting which was held at the ILGWU hall.
On July 1, 1966 the Pittston Area School District came into being. The first negotiation committee of the PAFT, consisting of James English, chairman, Charles Zambetti Edward Venzel, Esther McHale, and James Clark, met with the superintendent Martin Mattei. The PAFT sought a $600 increase for teachers on the top of the salary schedule. The demand was denied and further meetings with the Pittston Area board produced little until December when the first official communication with the PAFT agreed to a meeting to be held discuss demands.
In April 1967 the PAFT-PAC submitted a 17 page “Action Program” to the Board of Education. The PAFT advised that if the board did not meet with the teachers to negotiate, the teachers would place sanctions on the district. The PASB stalled claiming the PAFT must talk to superintendent but the PAFT stated that it was the board that had the decision making power.
By the start of the 1968 -1969 school year, the Board of Education decided to have talks with both the PAFT and the PSEA. The PAFT rejected the “package” proposals for failure of the board to present its proposals in writing and expected a written statement in return.
On January 15, 1971 Martin Mattei, Superintendent of PASD, advised Michael Hopkins, president of the PAFT that the Pittston Area Board of Education had recognized the PAFT as the collective bargaining agent and on January 20, 1971 the President of the PAFT, and Anthony Ferrara, Secretary the Board of Education, signed a Joint Certification agreement which was sent to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board for finalization.
Negotiations started on January 11, 1971. In spite of continuing meetings no contract was arrived at by the start of the 1972 1973 school year. The PAFT voted to strike the district on September 17, 1972. On September 23, 1971 an agreement was reached. Teacher representatives were Robert Cavanaugh, Bernard Murray, Michael Hopkins, Walter Tigue, Ann Hrobak, Judy Lussi, John Sassi, James Clark and Arthur Clark.