Why I am Pro-Union and Pro-Teacher

"Individually, no one has to listen to working people, not bosses, and not politicians. But when we are organized together, they have no choice but to hear our voices. In solidarity, there is possibility." -Alan Singer (Hofstra University)

"Without effective unions, teachers, who are in contact with students every day, who have the most experience motivating them and helping them learn, will be ignored by the pencil pushers and budget cutters who control the schools." -Alan Singer (Hofstra University)

Seattle Educators Score Major Victory for Students

Seattle Educators Score Major Victory for Students

Proficient test scores vary by state

NY Times article 10/07/15:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/us/test-scores-under-common-core-show-that-proficient-varies-by-state.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

Congratulations, Rene Schmidt -- Golden Apple Award winner!

Rene’ Schmidt, music teacher for 33 years, is the 2015 recipient of the META Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award. The award is given annually to a person who exemplifies excellence in teaching at Maine-Endwell, significantly influences the lives of students, and contributes to the success of his or her school.

Colleagues describe Mrs. Schmidt as dedicated, caring, patient and an invaluable member of the district. In order to save the beginners' orchestra program, Mrs. Schmidt and her fellow music teachers for the past two years took on additional classroom assignments. For Mrs. Schmidt, that meant teaching at three school buildings. As a result of her selfless dedication, the district continues to have a thriving instrumental program.  
To support all students’ love of music, Mrs. Schmidt has developed a music program for the district’s 8:1:1 program. “She believes that all students have his/her unique and beautiful abilities, and the job of a teacher is to keep trying until we unlock these hidden potentials,” said Lynne Musa, who presented Mrs. Schmidt with her award. “She does this with style and grace.”

As a life-long musician and learner, Mrs. Schmidt gives her time and talents to the Maine-Endwell community through service and performance. Under her direction, the orchestra and orchestra string quartet perform at concerts at Good Shepherd Village, Marian Apartments, Rotary dinners and at many other community events. Mrs. Schmidt also shares her professional expertise by serving as a member of various music organizations including the NYS School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education. Locally she is a member of the Basically Bach Orchestra, Musical Director/Pit Musician at the Cider Mill Playhouse, a member of the St. James Players, and a member of the Broome County String Teachers Orchestra.
            

Going to the NYS Fair on August 27th?

NYSUT has asked us to attend the "Be Fair to Public Ed Rally" 
where Cuomo will lead opening day ceremonies. 

FREE admission for you AND your family for the day 
and a free Call Out Cuomo shirt. 

Click here to register

 

What is VOTE-COPE exactly?

Voice

ofTeachers forEducation

Committee ONpoliticalEducation 

NySUT combined the two non-partisan political education campaigns in 1973.Funds come from voluntary contributions, NOT member dues

VOTE-COPE endorses and promotes NYSUT-backed candidates during elections. 

Candidates are not determined by political party, but by support for members' issues. Pro-NYSUT candidates understand the importance of public education, health care, support the values of organized labor and help pass school budgets.

The committee of 100 (derived from original 100 nysut members who went to albany to fight for greater state aid and pension reforms) has grown to over 750 volunteers who go to albany for political action.

The goal of VOTE-COPE is "to protect our professions, the institutions in which our members work, and the people our members serve, through grassroots lobbying," said NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta.

NYSUT sends rebates to local unions based on a percentage (up to 40 percent) of the contributions VOTE-COPE receives from that local union's members. Those rebates can be used in local activities such as school board races and for passage of school budgets.

Please consider skipping a "treat" (e.g. coffee, app, etc.) this month and donate to VOTE-COPE. 

Unions mark May Day with rally of solidarity

May 01, 2015       Source: NYSUT Communications

Caption: Photo by El-Wise Noisette.

NYSUT members turned out hundreds strong Friday for a noontime rally in Buffalo's Niagara Square to commemorate labor's many successes and to outline the fights yet to be won — fair wages and full and fair funding for public education.

The International Worker's Day rally drew more than 1,000 people. A coalition of labor groups and community organizations organized the rally, and members of an estimated 100 unions were in the cheering crowd. NYSUT President Karen E. Magee, United University Professions President Fred Kowal and Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore were among the many speakers, who included labor leaders and lawmakers.

Kowal, Magee and Rumore. Photo by Dennis Stierer.

"Is labor in the house?" Magee called as she stepped up to the microphone. A resounding "Yes!" roared back from the crowd.

"Our message is clear and it's unwavering," Magee said. "Our message is that every working person should earn a living wage that supports them and their family with dignity. We're proud to be here in Buffalo with its deep roots in labor. A hurt to one, sisters and brothers, is a hurt to all, and don't forget it. Our strength is in our solidarity."

• RELATED STORY: Rally draws diverse group of vocal unionists
• PHOTO GALLERY: International Workers Day Rally - Niagara Square, Buffalo

Rumore reminded the crowd that "we are at war."

"There's a movement right now to start taking over our public schools," he added. "To help our schools? No! To make some people rich? Yes."

Kowal received a strong round of applause when he modeled his black T-shirt emblazoned with the simple slogan: "Wrong" underneath the image of Governor Andrew Cuomo. The T-shirt is designed from a recent cover of UUP's membership magazine, The Voice. As Kowal turned so the crowd could see the T-shirt, a number of unionists shouted jibes about the governor.

"That's why we are here today, to tell the world, to tell the governor and his wealthy friends that he is wrong," Kowal said. "He must love being so wrong because he's so damned good at it. And not only will Andrew Cuomo be wrong, he will be gone."

The crowd picked up the chant: "Wrong and gone! Wrong and gone!"

People throughout the crowd carried red signs declaring, "International Workers Day: Demand Labor Respect!" Many others carried homemade signs, including one that read, "Cuomo — I rate you Ineffective" — a reference to the governor's unfair and vindictive stance on teacher evaluations.

Linda Steckmann-Dugan, a NYSUT delegate from the Buffalo Teachers Federation, said the rally's message of union solidarity and activism truly matters at a time when so many workers are struggling for fair pay.

"People who already have 98 percent of the wealth still want more," she said.

Photo by Andrew Watson.