"The Louisiana Federation of Teachers received a charter from the American Federation of Teachers in 1965. Prior to that, an AFT local chapter existed in New Orleans as early as 1932. LFT policy is set by an annual convention of elected delegates. An Executive Board that serves three-year terms and is elected by the convention implements policies and acts between conventions. Collective bargaining is the cornerstone of LFT's struggle to protect the rights of teachers and school employees. Efforts are underway in several school districts to win collective bargaining rights for educators."