Montana labor news., 1945-09-13
STATE FEDERATION
TO SUPPORT
EASTMAN CASE

The Montana Federation OF Labor at
;ts convention. held in Billings August
21-23. went on record unanimously to
support the effort being made to secure
ipstice for Violet NJ. Eastman. Miss
Eastman. a teacher of social science,
speech and radio address at Helena
high school for seven years, was dis
missed without cause last spring. She
received a letter from the clerk OF the
board Of education OF School District
No. ! of Helena which merely stated
that she would not receive a contract
10 teach in Helena for the l949-l94o
term. No reason for the action was
given. This was done in late April
Attemps to secure the reason were I'M
successful. Board members when ques-
toned were very vague. The Trades
and Labor Council OF Helena took the
matter to the local courts. However
no decision has been reached. The board
seems to be wasting time by disquality-
ing every suggested Judge.
Miss Eastman has had an outstand-
ing career in the teaching profession
in Montana. Many OF her speech stu
dents have won awards in state and
regional contests. In addition She has
been in charge OF the extensive radio
program OF the Helena schools. This
program featured children from all the
grades in programs over the local sta
ton. Prior to coming TO Helena, Miss
Eastman was a member OF the faculty
OF the Dillon high school for ten years.
Miss Eastman has had a prominent
part in the Montana labor movement.
She was the only woman teacher who
signed the charter of the Helena Teach
ers' Union when it was organized. She
has been the ecretary-treasure Of her
union since its beginning. In addition
she has represented her union as its
delegate to the Helena Trades and La
Dor Council. A year ago she was a
member of the Montana Federation OF
Labor committee which planned Mon
tana's first Labor Institute.
In the primary election OF 1914 Miss
Eastman secured the nomination Of the
Democratic party for the position OF
State Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
ton. In the general election in Novem-
Der 1914 Miss Eastman polled over Co.,
600 votes. This was just 1900 fewer
than the successful Republican candi-
date who had been in the office for two
terms. Miss Eastman had strong sup
port from labor and liberal groups and
made an excellent run for a beginner
in the political game.
1t is generally felt that Miss East
mans activities in the labor movemen.
and in liberal politics are the unstated
reasons for the action of the majority
OF the Board of Education OF Helena
in dismissing her.
In going on record to support the
Eastman case, the Montana Federation
Of Labor is following its belief in the
democratic processes. 1t believes that
in all cases of dismissal a worker j,
entitled to know the reason
RESOLUTION NO. 10
Whereas, the American public schools
are the chief agents for the teaching
of Democracy, and instructors in sucl
schools should promote democratic
practices and should be treated demo
cratically by their employers, the mem
bers of school boards, and
Whereas, the democratic treatment Of
an employee requires that he be giver
a statement of cause, and a hearing il
case Of dismissal, and
whereas, the Board of Education Of
School District No. / Of Helena, Mon
tana, violated democratic procedure il
dismissing Miss Violet M. Eastman, al
instructor for seven years in Helena
high school and secretary-treasurer Of
the Helena Teachers Union, withou.
giving her a statement of the reason
for such action, and
Whereas, such action cannot be con
strued in any other way than as labor
batting by a majority Of the Helena
School Board, and
Whereas, Miss Eastman is a teacher
OF recognized and outstanding ability
a woman OF fine character and al
ardent trade %unionist, therefore, be it
Resolved, that this convention go OF
record as condemning the undemocrati
and arbitrary action of District No.
Of Helena, Montana, in dismissing Mis-.
Eastman without a statement Of cause
and be it further
Resolved, that this convention in.
struct the Executive Board Of the Mon
tana Federation Of Labor to take al
necessary steps to secure justice in thi
matter, including the issuance of al
appeal to all unions for donations +,
help finance the court costs, and TO pro
vide for appropriate publicity.
MONTANA MIME HAS