Teacher Fights Discipline After DEI Training; Holds Union Accountable

Teacher Targeted for Discipline after ‘Privilege’ Training

In the fall of 2020, John attended a district-required training on racial and gender “privilege.” During a breakout session, John was asked for his opinion on the training and he expressed disagreement—honestly and professionally. Months later, district administrators launched an investigation because of his response and gave him a written reprimand. The district also required him to undergo “sensitivity training” and threatened further discipline—even termination—if he did not comply.

Union Illegally Withholds Services From Teacher

John fought this unwarranted discipline by filing a grievance. He called the Hartford Federation of Teachers (HFT), knowing that per his employment contract, only the union can start the arbitration process. But a union vice president told him via email that “arbitration is reserved for dues-paying members.” John had been a union member for more than two decades, until leaving the union in 2018. Therefore, John was trapped and unable to defend himself through arbitration because the union refused to treat him fairly.

Teacher Files Charges Against Union that refused to do its duty

With the help of the Fairness Center, John filed unfair labor practices charges against the union in July of 2022. He argued that Connecticut law required the teachers’ union to fairly represent all members of John’s bargaining unit, without discrimination and regardless of their membership status. However, that principle had never been clearly stated by the Connecticut labor board.

Ruling Vindicates Teacher, Slams Union’s Behavior

In 2023, the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations ruled in John’s favor. In its decision, the Board found “direct evidence of purposeful discrimination” by the union because of John’s union membership status. They ruled that the union, therefore, illegally withheld services from him.

The Board took the union to task, calling its defense “wholly frivolous”:

“In this case, we think that the Union’s arguments that [the HFT vice president’s] conduct was something other than intentional discrimination based on an unlawful consideration present no debatable issue and are wholly frivolous in light of the undisputed facts in this case.”

It further found that union officials’ discrimination against John “necessarily coerces employees in the exercise of a protected right”—the right to join or not join the union. The ruling also ordered the HFT to stop refusing services to John, to post the decision and ruling for 60 days in a place where employees often assemble, and to pay all of his attorney’s fees with interest.

Teacher’s Victory Expands Rights of Connecticut Public Employees

For the first time, Connecticut has acknowledged that union nonmembers must be treated equally to members when it comes to arbitration.

“The Board’s ruling couldn’t be more clear: a public-sector union official cannot use an employee’s membership status as the basis for discrimination,” said Nathan McGrath, president and general counsel for the Fairness Center. “John’s resounding victory solidifies the rights of every Connecticut public employee who chooses not to be a member of a union.”

Reacting to the Board’s ruling, John said, “The state labor board has reached a decision that holds union officials accountable for shirking their legal duty to fairly represent me.” He continued, “In my life and career, I’ve always helped others where and when I can. The fact that my fight has protected the rights of teachers and other public employees is extremely gratifying.”

(John Grande. Photo Credit: Studio Rivy.)

Teacher Files Lawsuit to Hold School District Officials Accountable

But John’s victory didn’t undo his mistreatment by school district officials. So in January 2024, the Fairness Center helped John do what union officials should have done in the first place: challenge the discipline he should never have received. John’s federal lawsuit, Grande v. Hartford Board of Education, alleges that Hartford school officials violated his First Amendment rights in disciplining him for expressing his opinion on the DEI-style training.

John is asking the court to declare school district officials’ behavior unconstitutional under the First Amendment, to rescind the disciplinary letter from his employee file, and to award him compensatory and punitive damages. John said:

“They threatened my career to silence me, but with this lawsuit, I’m leveling the playing field and forcing school officials to answer for trampling my rights.”

Free Speech Lawsuit Advances in Court

In September of 2025, a federal judge rejected the defendants’ attempt to end the case through summary judgment and denied qualified immunity to two Hartford school officials who John alleges targeted him for speaking his mind. The court held that his comments “were not simply personal grievances” but instead raised broader matters of social and political concern.

Case Status & Documents

• Complaint against Hartford Federation of Teachers
  July 7, 2022
• Connecticut State Labor Board Decision and Ruling
  August 23, 2023
• Board Charge Victory News Release
  September 7, 2023
• Complaint against Hartford Board of Education
  January 4, 2024
• Federal Lawsuit News Release
  January 4, 2024
• Federal Lawsuit Proceeds
  September 10, 2025

Grande v. Hartford Federation of Teachers is closed.

Grande v. Hartford Board of Education is before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and heading for trial.