Linda Bridges

Linda BridgesLinda Bridges, a lifelong labor leader and president of the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, died suddenly on January 13 of natural causes at her home in Austin, Texas. She was 65. Bridges became president of Texas AFT in 2005, after a long period of service as the president of Corpus Christi AFT. Texas AFT's membership grew from some 48,000 members to more than 65,000 during her tenure. 'Linda was a true legend, a giant of the Texas labor movement,' said John Patrick, Texas AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer. A tireless advocate for public education, Bridges spent much of her time crisscrossing the state assisting local unions and meeting with teachers to hear their concerns. For those who worked with her, one of her most memorable moments came in the form of an impromptu answer to a reporter's question at a Capitol press conference. In the wake of severe cuts to public education funding and thousands of teacher layoffs, she was asked why Texas AFT continued to show up at the Legislature and rally its members to fight for a seemingly hopeless cause. She replied: 'Because our kids are worth it.' Bridges started her career in education as an elementary special education teacher in the Corpus Christi Independent School District. She was a charter member of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers and served as president of the local union for 24 years. 'Linda and I were running buddies in Corpus Christi in an era when an American Federation of Teachers local was little more than a concept,' said Becky Moeller, Texas AFL-CIO President. 'Linda helped build the AFT local from scratch and, after her election to the statewide presidency of AFT, built the state AFT into the Texas AFL-CIO's largest affiliate. Linda was an indispensable member of the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board and a trustee of the state federation. In all matters, Linda set a sterling example of how a leader should answer to 'the better angels of our nature.' The schoolchildren of Texas have benefited immeasurably from Linda's fabulous career.' Since collective bargaining for teachers is not authorized by Texas law, Bridges in 1979 helped pioneer 'elected consultation,' a process whereby teachers and school employees elect the organization that formally negotiates with a district on employee wages, benefits and working conditions. The system she helped forge in Corpus Christi spread to several other districts in the state and has been heralded as a successful model for collaboration between school employees and district administration. 'Our union has lost a great leader, and I've lost a true friend,' said Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers president. 'She woke up every morning with one goal on her mind: To make sure educators had a voice'a crucial element in helping all kids succeed.' Bridges served in numerous community and labor leadership posts through her career, including: Vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, Texas AFT's national affiliate, Vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO, in which Texas AFT represents the largest block of union membership, a member of the Plaintiff's Advisory Committee that negotiated an end to busing in Corpus Christi ISD in exchange for increased funding and educational opportunities for students in the district's lowest-performing schools, President of the Coastal Bend Labor Council and director of the United Way of the Coastal Bend and Regent of Del Mar College in Corpus Christi.Linda is survived by the 5.1 million Texas school children on whose behalf she worked tirelessly. She is also survived by her union sister of many years Kay Lee, four-legged children Dixie, Shell and Sara.Memorial Service for Bridges will be held on Friday, January 16 at 1:00 pm at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 S. 1st Street, Austin, TX 78745.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund, 1204 San Antonio St. #300, Austin, TX 78701 or online at TexasAFT.org.A memorial event will be held in Corpus Christi, Texas in the near future.