A full listing of workshops and speakers will be posted later in the summer.
AFT, NYSUT, & RC 23
Union related posts — specifically concerning the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) or Retiree Council 23 (RC 23).
Don’t Forget to Vote on Tuesday, May 17
Reminder: This Tuesday is state wide voting for School Budgets and Board of Education members. Local NYSUT unions across Long Island are urging YES votes on the budgets and endorsed candidates.
The UTN has endorsed incumbents Julia Binger and Andrew Rapiejko as well as candidate Allison Noonan. Click here for the names of local endorsed school board candidates for other Long Island districts.
A Letter from NYSUT President Karen Magee
May 9, 2016
Dear NYSUT Member,
Imagine if you woke up this morning to learn that in the pre-dawn hours, politicians were pushing for legislation that threatened the very survival of public schools and unions in your state. That is the nightmare confronting our sisters and brothers in Detroit, and they urgently need our help.Acting at 4 a.m. Thursday, Michigan House Republicans forced through bills that would impose severe anti-student, anti-teacher practices in Detroit public schools while cutting off resources and support. In contrast, the Michigan Senate has drafted compromise school legislation that — while not perfect — reflects the recommendations of the Detroit community.
Alarmingly, the Michigan Senate may instead take up the anti-student, anti-teacher bills at any minute. Our sisters and brothers in Michigan, supported by like-minded people in the greater community, are pulling out all the stops to derail this devastating attempt to privatize Detroit schools.
We can help make this a national movement in support of the students and educators in Detroit.
Here’s what you can do:
- Sign and share AFT’s petition urging Michigan Gov. Snyder to stick with the compromise bills supported by the community and Michigan educators.
- Turn up the heat on social media, using #ForDetroitKids. Loop in teacher and paraprofessional locals using the handles @PAR227 and @DFT231. Make your own sign supporting Detroit kids, educators, parents and schools. Share your sign in a selfie or group shot on Facebook and Twitter.
- Use and share NYSUT’s messages of support.
- For minute-by-minute updates, follow AFT President Randi Weingarten at @rweingarten and @AFTunion.
The Flint water crisis has rightly become a national issue. The failure to keep Detroit schools repaired and safe has become a national issue. Fighting for a fully funded and healthy Detroit public school system can be an urgent national issue, too — with our help.
Thank you — your swift action is essential now.
NYSUT President Karen Magee
Political Action in Suffolk County
Support for union brothers and sisters
NYSUT received the following from Mike Gendron, Executive Vice President of CWA local 1108 in response to asking how NYSUT members can show support in the CWA fight against corporate greed and union busting by Verizon. This is his response:
Many have asked us what can be done to help us during our strike with Verizon. Stop by and say hello and let the Members know you support them. Drop off some water. Offer to walk the picket line so they can get some time with their families. Thank you so much for your out pouring of support. It means a lot to the Members of CWA 1108. Here are our main picket locations:
Verizon Garage 720 Larkfield Road East Northport
Verizon Garage 1130 Lincoln Avenue Holbrook
Verizon Garage 285 Hubbard Avenue Riverhead
Verizon Operators office 120 Hicksville Road (picket line on Broadway) Massapequa
Verizon Wireless Store Smith Haven Mall Middle Country Road Lake Grove
Verizon Wireless Store Gateway Plaza Sunrise Hwy Patchogue
Verizon Wireless Store Jericho turnpike East Northport
If this strike continues we will be providing updates as to other possible actions where we can lend support. Thank you.
Budget Wins for Education
The following message is from Kathy Lyons, NYSUT Nassau County Regional Retiree Consultant —
Thank you for a job well done.
You spoke up, your voice was heard and we won!
The NY State Legislature voted to approve a budget on Thursday, March 31st. Negotiations always require compromise and so we did not prevail on all fronts but thanks to the support of NYSUT members, both in-service and retiree, there were significant wins for education and retirees included in the 2016-17 budget.