AFT New Mexico News:

CARRIZOZO –  AFT New Mexico and its former member Analyn Catli won the dismissal of a lawsuit Oct. 29, brought by infamous New Mexico teacher recruiter agency Total Teaching Solutions International (TTSI), based in Lincoln County.

AFT NM supported Catli and other victims of TTSI’s practices, by providing her with legal counsel during her trial.

TTSI is known to charge excessive recruitment fees to teachers in the Philippines as part of a process of bringing these teachers to the United States to teach in New Mexico’s public school districts. TTSI’s lawsuit against Catli is part of a pattern of abuse from the company against many of the teachers they have recruited.

TTSI charged Catli more than $15,000, and then brought suit against her and other teachers they recruited to intimidate them into paying these excessive fees, despite not providing services and support to justify these fees.

The Honorable Mickie L. Vega, Magistrate Judge in Lincoln County dismissed the lawsuit against Catli explaining that, “the amount charged for the placement and support services that were provided by the Plaintiffs, TTSI, to the Defendant, Ms. Catli, resulted in a gross disparity between the value that she received and the fees imposed upon her.”  

Catli said, “I am so grateful the Judge saw the truth of what TTSI did, and dismissed this lawsuit. This has been incredibly stressful, and no one else should ever have to go through this. I am grateful to my community, and AFT New Mexico for all of the support provided to me and for their assistance in getting this lawsuit dismissed.”

AFT New Mexico President Stephanie Ly said, “AFT New Mexico is proud to be standing up alongside our members against abusive recruiting agencies like TTSI. In New Mexico, where educator vacancies are a persistent problem, educators arriving from other countries should be supported in their desire to make a positive impact for students’ learning, not preyed upon by unscrupulous entities like TTSI.

“We must continue to hold the likes of TTSI accountable, and will continue to advocate for educators who want to serve our students, families, and communities. This ruling is a message to other would be recruiters that AFT New Mexico will continue to be vigilant and advocate for the respect and support our students and educators deserve.”