Phil Drake, Great Falls Tribune Published 10:49 a.m. MT April 21, 2020

HELENA Eric Feaver, longtime employee labor leader, has announced his retirement and Amanda Curtis, a former state lawmaker and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate,will replace him as president, union officials said Tuesday.

Feaver announced his decision over the weekend at the third annual conference of the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) which was held online Friday and Saturday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MFPE is Montanas largest union with 23,000 members.

Eric Feaver(Photo: Courtesy Montana MEA-MFT)

Curtis, who had served as second vice president, was elected as MFPEs next president. First Vice President Bill Dwyer was re-elected, current MFPE Treasurer Rich Aarstad was elected second vice president, and Michelle Wheat was elected MFPE treasurer. They will take office June 15.

Feaver was a fixture at the state Capitol, often attending legislative meetings and sessions and letting lawmakers know what the union thought of proposals and decisions. He often found himself at odds with elected officials.

We are unique, we are diverse.In the Montana context, we are huge and we have a huge responsibility to see that the labor movement in this state goes forward, Feaver said, according to a news release. If we fail or if we are killed by the political processes by the things that have occurred in states like Iowa and Wisconsin and Michigan, the labor movement will die in Montana. It rests on our shoulders to bear the burden of the labor movement and to defend it.

The conference drew nearly 500 member leaders, a record number of attendees, organizers said. Members also voted on constitutional amendmentsand approved the years budget.

Amanda Curtis(Photo: STATE OF MONTANA)

Feaver became president of the Montana Education Association (MEA) in 1984 and guided its throughits merger with the Montana Federation of Teachers (MFT) in 2000, according to a news release.He was elected president of the newly formed MEA-MFT.

Then, in 2018, Feaver oversaw the merger of MEA-MFT with the MPEAto form the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE).

Feaver discussed the merger with the Tribune in 2018.

I think numbers matter. I would like to be a union of this size than not, he said.Having a large number of employees paying dues for a union is a powerful statement, and we intend to show that.

One of the best things about my job is that there is always a reason to come to work, he said in that interview. It keeps the adrenaline pumping. Every now and then, when we lose, it makes us all the more anxious to win the next time.

Curtis is a Butte educator, former state legislator and nominee for U.S. Senate.

This union has a 138-year history and were going to continue for another 138 years and centuries after that regardless of whos in governance, she told MFPE delegates. Were going to keep protecting pensions, bargaining better pay, benefits, and working conditions, and getting our members elected to office.

Members include K-12 public school teachers and support staff; state, countyand municipal employees; higher education faculty and support staff; Head Start employeesand health care personnel.

Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.

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Feaver to retire from state's largest union, Curtis to take reins - Great Falls Tribune