Labor union suing SMILE

BY JEFF MOORE THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, March 30, 2008 6:08 AM CDT

A labor union filed a lawsuit against the St. Martin Iberia Lafayette Community Action Agency for refusing to reinstate a teacher after an arbitrator found she was fired improperly.

Tina Becnel, a former Early Childhood Development teacher at SMILE’s New Iberia Head Start Center, was fired in September 2006 after she was accused of hitting a 4-year-old student.

An arbitrator later ordered Becnel be reinstated, finding no credible evidence the incident occurred.

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According to the lawsuit, SMILE reinstated Becnel on Dec. 7, 2007, but terminated her again just four days later when the Louisiana Department of Social Services threatened to revoke the facility’s license based on the original abuse allegation.

Service Employees International Union Local 21LA, which represents SMILE employees and other public workers in Louisiana, filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court on Becnel’s behalf.

The lawsuit states SMILE’s failure to reinstate Becnel violates the federal Labor Management Relations Act.

It requests Becnel be reinstated and receive lost wages and benefits since the date of her initial firing.

“The arbitrator ruled that the teacher should be made whole,” said Local 21LA President Rick Pettitt.

“(SMILE) has refused to abide by that, which has left us no choice but to file a lawsuit in federal court.”

Alvin Wiltz, SMILE’s executive director, did not return calls Friday seeking comment.

Copyright © 2009 The Daily Iberian

Comments

    MISSWJL wrote on Apr 4, 2008 2:24 PM:

    " perhaps those who are making judgment on Tina Becnel do not know her. Tina would never hit her own children much less any other child. Anyone who knows anything at all about Tina should know abuse of any kind does not find her personality or character. Those of you making your sarcastic allegations against Tina Becnel should learn the facts and then make your JUDGMENT. But then again, it's not your JUDGMENT that matter's - IT'S THE COURT'S!! Evidence and the lack of same speaks for itself. We support you "T". GO GIRL "

    Mary ann wrote on Apr 4, 2008 1:15 PM:

    " Were any of you really there I no I wasn't so who are we to judge Tina Becnel for what she did are didn't do..
    How do any of you know the truth.
    "

    Hush wrote on Apr 4, 2008 8:24 AM:

    " The family should sue them all for causing anxiety, Mary Ann. The Child is the real victim. Without proof do you really think LA. Dept Of SS would threaten to pull Head Start License. Try to think! "

    mary ann wrote on Apr 3, 2008 11:49 AM:

    " Maybe you should let the family decide that.. becasue if they arent the ones sueing her then mabe she realy didnt do it!!!! "

    No shame Allowed wrote on Apr 2, 2008 1:03 PM:

    " Hey Bertha, who is going to compensate the child/family. Maybe they should sue Tina Becnel and the Union. Where is the childs support. It's not about Tina Becnel, but the child was abused. "

    Bertha wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:14 PM:

    " Shame,Shame,Shame on whomever disclosed the confidentiality of the child being a special needs child at head start. Come on be professional.Let the arbitrators and the courts handle it. "

    Stop The Madness wrote on Mar 31, 2008 3:24 PM:

    " Hey Tina Becnel, ask your sister-in-law State Rep. Simone Champange (Jeanerette) to explain that there is zero tolerance when it come to child abuse. No child should have to suffer from child abuse or verbal abuse. Did the child with special needs understand you better by being hit. Of course not!
    LA Dept. Of SS Hooray!!!! "

    No Pay wrote on Mar 31, 2008 12:28 PM:

    " I thought there is zero tolerance for child abuse. LA DSS must be within their rights to threaten the license of the Head Start Center. Why should someone who abuse not only a 4 year old but a child with special needs. Shame on you Tina Becnel. Now you want to get paid like you are the victim. "

    brad wrote on Mar 30, 2008 2:49 PM:

    " When someone is proven innocent they should not be treated as if they were guilty, the arbitration award should be honored. "

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