State Rep. Romano elected president of state’s largest union

Micah Drew

(Daily Montanan) The Montana Federation of Public Employees, the state’s largest labor union comprising teachers, school employees, law enforcement, and city, county, and state employees, elected new leadership at its annual conference over the weekend.

Current state Rep. Melissa Romano, a Helena Democrat and teacher, was elected as MFPE president, taking over from Amanda Curtis, who has led the organization since 2020.

“Livable wages, real benefits, and fair working conditions unite MFPE members across our wide professional and political spectrum,” Romano said in a statement. “I ran for president as a longtime member with deep policy experience, and I know unionism is about leveraging informed, engaged, and empowered members into winning fights for our shared values. I’m so excited to get started.”

Along with Romano, delegates elected 1st Vice President-elect Lance Edward (Billings Education Association), 2nd Vice President Michelle Wheat (Montana Department of Transportation Employees), and Treasurer-elect Eric Matthews (Bozeman Education Association), according to a press release.

New leaders will take office on June 15.

MFPE said Curtis has been planning her retirement from MFPE to return to being in a classroom in Butte, where she used to reside before moving to Helena to fulfill MFPE bylaws. Curtis will remain actively involved as a member and mentor, the organization said.

“MFPE members are proud to have organized Montana’s largest labor union, a union built on democracy where members call the shots,” Curtis said in a statement. “Together over the past six years, we’ve won historic pay plans for state and higher education employees, secured a statewide school health trust, and held the line against unaccountable privatization and union busting. I’m grateful to all members for stepping up to lead across this state, and I know Melissa will take this baton and run.”