DCPS signs off on VP’s discipline A dispute between leaders of the D.C. teachers union has escalated into a lawsuit, with the vice president saying her phone has been disconnected and she sees no resolution in sight.
Candi Peterson says her contract was violated when union President Nathan Saunders stripped her of her pay and supervisory duties without allowing her to defend herself and without following outlined union procedures. In the suit, she asks for her duties and $151,000 salary to be restored.
The Washington Examiner first reported that Peterson, an elected official, was suspended from her No. 2 post at the Washington Teachers’ Union following an argument with Saunders over the tone he took with her at a July staff meeting.
Peterson told The Examiner on Tuesday that she took legal action when Saunders’ attitude toward her failed to improve, even as she tried to lay low through her six-month suspension.
“He’s sort of like a 2-year-old: He’s digging his heels in, and it’s his union, and he gets to spend the money, and gets to do whatever he wants, and nobody can tell him what to do,” she said. “I don’t even believe the lawyers can convince him.”
Saunders said Peterson has “returned to the classroom.”
D.C. Public Schools grants teachers a “leave of absence” when elected to union positions; they remain DCPS employees who can return to their teaching jobs.
Documents obtained by The Examiner show that Jason Kamras, chief of human capital for DCPS, signed an agreement Sept. 14 with Saunders to end Peterson’s leave.
“This decision is in the best interest of WTU and its membership and was made to minimize distraction from WTU’s mission and purpose,” Saunders said. “She was not terminated and remains a member and office of the union.”
Kamras declined to comment further.
To remove an officer, the union’s bylaws require a recall election or a specific process to bring forth charges; Peterson said neither occurred.
Instead, she was disciplined for speaking with reporters and ordered to take courses in leadership and the role of the media.
“WTU will issue a letter to The Washington Examiner stating as follows: ‘The internal personnel matter between WTU and [General Vice President] Peterson has been resolved, and Ms. Peterson continues to be a valuable member of the WTU and perform her duties in the best interests of the members,’ ” reads the resolution disciplining her.
The Examiner received no such letter.
“He shut off my telephone, he’s closed my access to the union office, the parking garage, keys,” Peterson said. “He didn’t even allow me time to find another phone. That’s clear to me that there is nothing legally binding me at this point.”
