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).

NYSUT Needs You!

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A call to action in Suffolk County to help elect NYSUT endorsed candidate, Steve Stern to the NY State Assembly for AD 10 in the special election on April 24.
You may ask why should I bother?
Even though it’s only an Assembly race, both Democrats and Republicans are spending a lot of money to win — and a win now will impact the election in November. NYSUT is asking all active and retired members to support candidates that are advocates for public education. Steve Stern is such candidate.

How can you help?
Volunteer for the Phone Bank at the NYSUT Regional Office Hauppague:

Monday          April 9             3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 10          Retirees starting at 10:30, everyone else 3:30 to 6
Wednesday   April 11          3:30 to 8 (dinner will be provided)
Thursday       April 12          3:30 to 6
Monday          April 16          3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 17          Retirees starting at 10:30, everyone else 3:30 to 6
Wednesday   April 18          3:30 to 6
Thursday       April 19          3:30 to 6
Monday          April 23          3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 14          Retirees starting at 10:30 to 5
 
NYSUT Regional Office Address: 150 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy, Brentwood, NY 11717
Phone: (631) 273-8822

A Message for NYSUT Regional Office …

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Political Action in Suffolk County – 3/15/18

We need to keep winning elections

We’re all aware that public education, labor and in particular public employees unions are facing serious threats to their very existence.   What has empowered our enemies is that we lost too many elections in the early part of this decade.  But starting about a year ago we began to see a change — last May we won a special election with Christine Pellegrino, this fall we demonstrated the clout we could bring to the polls with the overwhelming Con-Con win.  Around the country we’re seeing progressive candidates doing better than we have seen in years.
 
If we’re going to defend labor’s rights, we must keep up the momentum.  That means winning more elections.
 
Our next chance is another special election on Long Island on April 24. NYSUT has endorsed former County Legislator Steve Stern for Assembly.  Win this, put another friend in office.
 
We’re not going to ask you to do a lot.  Everybody’s got a lot on their plate.  But with a just a little help we can win an election and continue to turn the tide.  We need only one day (see below), an hour or two from you and a few of your members.
 
As part of this campaign we’re going to be asking local leaders to contact members who live in AD 10, NYSUT will do some mailings, but we also need volunteers to make some calls and do some texting.  Below are the days and times for phones, let us know when you and your local can help either at the regional office, your office, or whatever works.  Please RSVP ASAP
 
Phone banking at regional office:
 
Monday          April 9             3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 10          Retirees starting at 10:30, everyone else 3:30 to 6
Wednesday   April 11          3:30 to 8 (dinner will be provided)
Thursday       April 12          3:30 to 6
 
Monday          April 16          3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 17          Retirees starting at 10:30, everyone else 3:30 to 6
Wednesday   April 18          3:30 to 6
Thursday       April 19          3:30 to 6
 
Monday          April 23          3:30 to 6
Tuesday         April 14          Retirees starting at 10:30 to 5

Let the Violence End!

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The nation — once again — is mourning the senseless deaths of children due to another school shooting, the latest one claiming the lives of 17 students Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

Many of our members are responsible gun owners. Some belong to the NRA. Voices across the political spectrum are coming together to say enough is enough.

Take action now and pledge to join the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20.

NYSUT is joining its national affiliates — the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association — in supporting the Network for Public Education’s day of action on Friday, April 20.

In the wake of the Parkland tragedy, many local communities across New York State — and the nation — are planning candlelight vigils, rallies and school walk-ins for April 20 to send a strong message to state and federal lawmakers that their failure to act is inexcusable.

Take action now and pledge to join the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20.

According to the Network for Public Education, more than 150,000 students attending K-12 schools have experienced a shooting on campus since the massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

It is past time our lawmakers address this national epidemic of school shootings.

In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President

Take action now and pledge to join the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20.

“Right to Work” law is not what is seems …

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AFL-CIO

We’re facing a pivotal moment in our fight for justice. This month, the Supreme Court will hear Janus v. AFSCME Council 31—a case brought by corporate elites to further rig the rules against working people. We need your voice to be heard against these wealthy special interests.
Fifty years ago this month, some 1,300 African American sanitation workers faced a pivotal moment when the tragic deaths of Echol Cole and Robert Walker helped spark the historic Memphis sanitation strike. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. soon joined the AFSCME members in demanding recognition of their union, basic safety standards and a decent wage.
Undercutting our right to organize exacerbates the racial wage gap and starves the unions that give communities of color a voice against corporate interests.
Corporate CEOs have been waiting for their chance to stop collective power, and the case to be heard in the Supreme Court is a direct threat to the rights and freedoms that working people have fought—and even died—for. That’s why working people will mobilize on Feb. 24 to defend our freedom to join together in union as the case is heard by the Supreme Court. But before we rally, we need you to make your voice heard:
Corporate lobbyists, extreme legislators and greedy CEOs want to weaken working people’s collective power by denying our right to join in union. They are asking the Supreme Court to strip our freedom to speak out together for fair treatment, better wages and safe working conditions.
Before the end of the week, we need 20,000 people to speak out. Add your name now: Tell the Supreme Court to defend working people’s rights to join together.
In Solidarity,
Rich
————
Richard Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

NYSUT REGIONAL CONFERENCE 

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On November 2, 2017, a few hundred retirees attended the Retiree Conference at the Watermill in Smithtown. After Continental Breakfast, NYSUT Vice President Paul Pecorale,VOTE/COPE coordinator June Smith and Regional Political Organizer Jeff Friedman spoke about the campaign against the Constitutional Convention and the operation of the phone banks. Suffolk Regional Office Director Peter Verdun gave an update on current issues facing NYSUT, including the Constitutional Convention and the agency fee court case, “Janus”, before the Supreme Court. The breakout sessions included a comprehensive presentation on long term care and other elder law issues, a discussion of proposed plans to expand Medicare, a presentation on the experiences of a Japanese-American in a World War II internment camp and an opportunity to make phone calls supporting a no vote on proposition 1 – the Constitutional Convention.  After lunch, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discussed issues related to our pension benefit. In all, the day was informative, the speakers inspiring and the food was great. Thanks are due to Joan Perrini for all the hard work to make the event possible.