Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN
MITA MEMBERS: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING FROM NYSUT'S POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE:
Wisconsin was just the beginning...... <<<<< VIDEO
Three weeks from Tuesday there will be an election that is going to impact on your future negotiations, district budgets and members’ jobs. If we lose elections, the impact will be serious and then there will be a lot of crying and handwringing about how we should have done something. We all saw this when the tax cap passed, and after the fact, folks thought we should do something.
Now is the time to do something. No matter how much else is on you or your members’ plates, now is the chance to do something. Every little bit matters, every little bit helps.
This week:
Tim Bishop <<<<< VIDEO
Phone banks at the Hauppauge regional office 3 to 7 PM Monday through Thursday. On Tuesday retirees can start at 10AM. We’ve added 2 days in Hauppauge—10/29 and 10/30. If you haven’t committed to a day yet these are 2 additional days that you can help. Phone bank in Middle Country TA office Wednesday 10/17 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM
Now is the time to do something. No matter how much else is on you or your members’ plates, now is the chance to do something. Every little bit matters, every little bit helps.
This week:
Tim Bishop <<<<< VIDEO
- Saturday, October 20: Labor walk for Tim Bishop out of the MITA Office 47 Middle Country Rd. Middle Island 9 AM. We had a record (for us NYSUT folk) with 46 volunteers, from 10 different locals at the Montano walk this past Saturday. Let’s break that record!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Election Day is Almost Here!!
1. New resources to energize elections efforts in targeted congressional
districts
- PLEASE HELP US AT THE PHONE BANKS ON WEDS, OCT 10th from 3:30 on at the Middle Country Teachers' Assoc in SELDEN!!!!
- Email me if you need directions!!! MITA>> Midislta@optonline.net
- Labor Walks: MITA labor walk for Tim Bishop on Saturady October 20th, 2012. 9AM at the MITA office. Political action coordinators are working with Area Labor Federations to organize labor walks. Here's a list of scheduled walks with details and contact information. This weekend look for walks in Lockport, Patchogue, Poughkeepsie, Corning, Johnstown and South Glens Falls. Next weekend, labor will walk in Medina, Shirley, Brewster, Liverpool and Rochester.
- NYSUT's Election Guide will be mailed in the coming weeks directly to every NYSUT member. The guide includes listings of NYSUT's endorsed candidates in both federal and state elections, a comparison of Obama's and Romney's positions on various issues, including education and health care, and why it's important to vote.
- In the coming weeks, the NEA might need NYSUT members to make calls to NEA members in battleground states urging support of endorsed candidates. Watch here for details soon.
- Share with your members this really scary item from The Nation on Romney's desire to silence teachers unions. This is what's at stake. Urge members, friends and family to sign on and support President Obama online: barackobama.com, Educators for Obama, Nurses for Obama.
- Spread the word to unregistered voters: It's only two weeks until the Oct. 12 deadline to register to vote Nov. 6.
2. Chicago provides a valuable lesson
The position of the Chicago Teachers Union was bolstered by nearly two years of work engaging the community and building parental support as a way to better serve the children. When it became necessary to strike, those relationships paid extra dividends. Read this interesting analysis from the American Prospect.
3. Strides walks kick off this weekend
This is NYSUT's 11th year as a flagship sponsor of the non-competitive 5K Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, which start this weekend at five sites: Syracuse, Binghamton, Buffalo, Waterloo and Rochester. Here's more from NYSUT.org on the events scheduled over the next month. Register online at: makingstrides.acsevents.org/nysut.
Be sure to select "NYSUT" as your company affiliation.
4. Iannuzzi sets the record straight on evaluations
Newsday's Sept. 21 editorial ("Get moving on evaluations") misses the mark so badly, it's hard to know where to begin, responded NYSUT's Dick Iannuzzi in a letter to the editor. The paper questioned the commitment of unions to make evaluations work. Iannuzzi's message will help you handle questions that come up in your own districts.
He points out that NYSUT has worked collaboratively with SED to develop a comprehensive, rigorous and fair teacher-principal evaluation system that will improve overall teacher effectiveness and enhance student learning. Read the letter here.
5. Let us know how you are using the "Getting it Right" tool kit
to boost parent/community involvement
NYSUT United is planning a story on how locals are using the "Getting it Right: Student Assessment" toolkit to engage communities. We'd love to hear how YOUR local is using the toolkit materials. Please email feedback, stories and information to ssaunder@nysutmail.org.
The Getting it Right tool kit is designed to engage parents and other stakeholders in a year-long effort of advocacy. It provides local unions with tools to initiate grassroots efforts that are owned by the community.
6. NYSHIP Empire Plan Medicare Rx change Jan. 1
NYSHIP Empire Plan retirees who have Medicare as their primary insurance will automatically be enrolled in a Part D Medicare prescription plan on Jan. 1, 2013, unless they cancel coverage. The co-pays and list of covered prescriptions will be the same or better than that offered to the in-service members. There is no coverage gap ("donut hole"). The reason for this change is the Empire Plan's ability to benefit from a 50 percent discount for brand-name drugs as part of the Affordable Care Act.
It is important that participants carefully review any information which is mailed to them by the Department of Civil Service or UnitedHealthcare, especially those who may already be enrolled in a Part D plan.
High income retirees ($85,000/ $170,000) with Medicare as their primary insurance will be subject to an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Part D effective Jan. 1. This is in addition to their regular premium contribution to the Empire Plan. At this time, there is no NYSHIP Empire Plan requirement for the employer to reimburse this extra amount to the retiree. A 2012 tax rate chart can be found at www.medicare.gov/cost/. The Federal Government will post a 2013 rate chart soon.
A presentation and other materials can be found at the Department of Civil Service web site. For questions, retirees can call the Empire Plan, 877-769-7447 and press 4 on the main menu.
Short takes
- Local union leaders will undoubtedly field questions about the movie "Won't Back Down." NYSUT has posted talking points that will be helpful. Also see the AFT's response and the NEA's response to it. The movie is receiving a hearty "thumbs down" from the overwhelming majority of critics across the country. One of many reviewers quoted in the Washington Post called the film "Inept and bizarre ... a set of right-wing anti-union talking points disguised (with very limited success) as a mainstream motion-picture-type product." Here's the full Washington Post review.
Urge your members to register now for "Share My Lesson." This is a free digital platform developed by AFT that allows educators to collaborate and share teaching resources and innovative ideas. Tell them to sign up by Oct. 31 to be entered in a drawing for $5,000 to help pay off student loans or a $3,500 VISA cash card. Here are helpful talking points from AFT to help local leaders answer questions about the program.
- At 4 p.m. Oct. 3, NYSUT offers a one-hour webinar on how to clean during communicable disease outbreaks in schools. Register at: http://www.nysut.org/eReg/CIC1012
- Register online for NYSUT's Community College Leadership Conference, Nov. 16-18 in Saratoga Springs. The registration deadline is Oct. 17. For information, call 800-342-9810, ext. 6297.
- NYSUT will send SRP Recognition Day packets only to local leaders who request them for the Nov. 20 celebration this year. Contact Margaret MacCartney, mmaccart@nysutmail.org, by Nov. 1.
- The 2012 annual meeting of the state TRS delegates is Nov. 4-5 in Saratoga Springs. Make sure the union is involved and that board vacancies are filled.
- Here is the National Board Certification application form for the 2012-13 state Albert Shanker Grant and federally funded Candidate Fee Subsidy. Deadline is Nov. 30.
- NYSUT and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights again sponsor a video contest for students. Entrants create a brief video about a human rights violation and the defender(s) fighting to stop it. The deadline is Jan. 31.
Monday, September 24, 2012
TOWN HALL MEETING!!
JOIN THE CALL FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION!!
U.S.
Representative Tim Bishop will answer your questions about public education during
a telephone town hall on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012, at
6:30pm. The discussion will include the
following topics:
· Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
· Education funding for public schools
· Innovative schools
· Recruiting quality educators
· Your education questions
How it
works: As a NYSUT/NEA member in this Congressional district,
you will receive a robo-call announcing and promoting the event the day before
(Tuesday, October 2nd). You
will receive a second call on the evening of Wednesday, October 3rd,
at 6:30pm to allow you to connect directly to the call and Rep. Bishop.
WHO: U.S. Representative Tim Bishop (NY-1)
WHAT: Ask questions about public education during
tele-town hall meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012, 6:30pm
EDT
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Wear RED to support CHICAGO teachers!!
Attention all MITA members:
SORRY FOR THE SHORT NOTICE BUT WE JUST RECEIVED THIS HERE AT THE MITA OFFICE TODAY:
Late last night, the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike. This came after months of intense negotiations that continued until the last hours before the strike deadline. Today, teachers, educational support personnel and community members throughout Chicago walk together on picket lines to continue to demand a contract that provides the best for students, respects educators and their work, and treats them as true partners. Despite ongoing efforts over the past weekend to reach an agreement, the CTU and the district remain divided on core issues like the best way to improve instruction, and how to ensure job security and fair compensation for educators.
Join us to show your support for the CTU and strong public schools in Chicago by wearing RED on Weds, Sept. 12.“Chicago Teachers Union is the AFT’s Local No. 1; it’s where our union was born,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement of support. “The CTU has a proud tradition of uniting and standing together to advocate and agitate for better—for students, for our communities and for our members.”
The 1.5 million members of the AFT are proud to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in their fight to ensure that every child in Chicago’s public schools has access to a great education, and that educators and their work are valued.
Show Your Solidarity: Wear Red!
Show your support for the CTU and Chicago students by wearing red on Wednesday, Sept. 12, and send your group photos to photos@aft.org.
Join us to show your support for the CTU and strong public schools in Chicago by wearing RED on Weds, Sept. 12.“Chicago Teachers Union is the AFT’s Local No. 1; it’s where our union was born,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement of support. “The CTU has a proud tradition of uniting and standing together to advocate and agitate for better—for students, for our communities and for our members.”
The 1.5 million members of the AFT are proud to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in their fight to ensure that every child in Chicago’s public schools has access to a great education, and that educators and their work are valued.
Show Your Solidarity: Wear Red!
Show your support for the CTU and Chicago students by wearing red on Wednesday, Sept. 12, and send your group photos to photos@aft.org.
Additional Ways to Show Support:
- Send letters and resolutions of support.
Mail to: Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1
Attention: Audrey May 222
Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Il 60654 - Make a donation .
Checks should be made payable to CTU Solidarity Fund and mailed to the address above. Credit card donations can be made here. - Volunteer your time.
If you are interested in volunteering your time to help CTU, sign up here.
In unity,Randi WeingartenAFT President
P.S. You can also post your expressions of support on the CTU’s Facebook page.
Monday, September 10, 2012
NYSUT PHONE BANKS ARE OPEN!
I have signed up for some PHONE BANK time on Thursday, October 11th....If you are able to give us an hour or two that evening to make some phone calls for Tim Bishop and other NYSUT endorsed candidates, please email me at the MITA office, MidIslTA@optonline.netYES!!! There will be SNACKS provided!!!
It will begin at the MITA office on the corner of Swezey Lane at 9AM.
Please email us at MITA if you can join us, even for an hour or two....
MidIslTA@optonline.net
Come down, have a bagel, and help us support an elected official who is in a very tough race this year, and needs each and every vote we can get for him!!!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
NYSUT Endorses Candidates
NYSUT issues endorsements in state legislative races
Download endorsement list (pdf)
ALBANY, N.Y. August 21, 2012 — New York State United Teachers today announced endorsements in nearly 200 state Senate and Assembly races, backing incumbents and challengers the 600,000-member union believes advocate for working families while fighting against policies that would harm students, their public schools and colleges, and organized labor.
NYSUT’s Board of Directors voted to issue the endorsements after a three-day, intensive endorsement conference in which political activists reviewed two years of voting records for incumbents, while also heavily weighing the working relationships that union leaders — on the local, regional and state levels — have built with their elected representatives.
“We are living in extraordinarily complicated political and fiscal times. That was certainly reflected in the passion and resolve expressed by activists during our discussions,” said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. No single vote served as a litmus test. Instead, “Activists sorted through the ‘bad votes’ on Tier 6, record budget cuts and the undemocratic property tax cap, but they also weighed the important ‘wins’ — balancing votes that legislators cast on the millionaires’ tax; killing a proposed $250 million competitive grant program for school districts; dramatically increasing funding for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges; and protecting the privacy of teacher evaluations. These are votes that helped students, teachers and New York families, and can serve as building blocks for a better future.”
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said the grassroots endorsement process — in which local union presidents and political activists make recommendations to the NYSUT Board of Directors — served as a sounding board for members’ deep disenchantment over painful budget cuts and layoffs that are jeopardizing years of progress in New York’s public education system. He noted when schools open next month, they will be operating with $1.1 billion less in state support than in 2008-09, as well as some 35,000 fewer teachers and paraprofessionals helping students learn.
“Voting records are just one way to measure a candidate’s support for the issues our members are concerned about,” Pallotta said. “We also looked hard at whether or not an incumbent or challenger is an outspoken advocate for public education and if a senator or Assembly member enjoyed excellent relationships with local leaders and are willing and able to use the bully pulpit of their office to appeal to the public on issues important to NYSUT members.”
ALBANY, N.Y. August 21, 2012 — New York State United Teachers today announced endorsements in nearly 200 state Senate and Assembly races, backing incumbents and challengers the 600,000-member union believes advocate for working families while fighting against policies that would harm students, their public schools and colleges, and organized labor.
NYSUT’s Board of Directors voted to issue the endorsements after a three-day, intensive endorsement conference in which political activists reviewed two years of voting records for incumbents, while also heavily weighing the working relationships that union leaders — on the local, regional and state levels — have built with their elected representatives.
“We are living in extraordinarily complicated political and fiscal times. That was certainly reflected in the passion and resolve expressed by activists during our discussions,” said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. No single vote served as a litmus test. Instead, “Activists sorted through the ‘bad votes’ on Tier 6, record budget cuts and the undemocratic property tax cap, but they also weighed the important ‘wins’ — balancing votes that legislators cast on the millionaires’ tax; killing a proposed $250 million competitive grant program for school districts; dramatically increasing funding for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges; and protecting the privacy of teacher evaluations. These are votes that helped students, teachers and New York families, and can serve as building blocks for a better future.”
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said the grassroots endorsement process — in which local union presidents and political activists make recommendations to the NYSUT Board of Directors — served as a sounding board for members’ deep disenchantment over painful budget cuts and layoffs that are jeopardizing years of progress in New York’s public education system. He noted when schools open next month, they will be operating with $1.1 billion less in state support than in 2008-09, as well as some 35,000 fewer teachers and paraprofessionals helping students learn.
“Voting records are just one way to measure a candidate’s support for the issues our members are concerned about,” Pallotta said. “We also looked hard at whether or not an incumbent or challenger is an outspoken advocate for public education and if a senator or Assembly member enjoyed excellent relationships with local leaders and are willing and able to use the bully pulpit of their office to appeal to the public on issues important to NYSUT members.”
Friday, June 22, 2012
Big Win for Teachers!!
Bill upholds privacy for educators
ALBANY, N.Y., June 21, 2012 - New York State United Teachers President Richard C. Iannuzzi said today that the privacy bill passed by both houses of the state Legislature accomplishes two important goals: It stops the shameless media exploitation and distortion of evaluation information, and it appropriately keeps teacher personnel records confidential. The governor's bill also permits parents – and parents only – to request limited composite information concerning their child's current teacher(s).
"The governor and Legislature did the right thing by stopping the media from distorting and disseminating evaluation results," Iannuzzi said. "This bill accomplishes that goal and preserves the purpose of evaluations, which is to provide opportunity for continued growth and improvement."
Passage by the Senate and Assembly - and the governor's expected signature - marks an advance for teachers and parents, and reinforces that a quality evaluation system must be dedicated to promoting student learning," Iannuzzi said.
Iannuzzi thanked the governor for initiating the legislation and the Legislature for acting to pass it, noting the bill "reinforces the bedrock principle that accountability does not equate with public servants being shamed and humiliated in the press."
Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta added: "This is an important win for NYSUT members, and credit goes to our dedicated leaders, activists, legislative staff and the whole NYSUT team, who tirelessly and successfully conveyed to lawmakers the reasons why teacher accountability is not the same as media sensationalism."
Iannuzzi said the bill acknowledges the important partnership between parents and teachers in helping children to learn, "We believe this legislation, if applied correctly, will be fair to teachers, parents and students. It has potential to serve as one more piece of information in a comprehensive process where parents and educators, working together, can ensure that all students have a quality education."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents some 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
"The governor and Legislature did the right thing by stopping the media from distorting and disseminating evaluation results," Iannuzzi said. "This bill accomplishes that goal and preserves the purpose of evaluations, which is to provide opportunity for continued growth and improvement."
Passage by the Senate and Assembly - and the governor's expected signature - marks an advance for teachers and parents, and reinforces that a quality evaluation system must be dedicated to promoting student learning," Iannuzzi said.
Iannuzzi thanked the governor for initiating the legislation and the Legislature for acting to pass it, noting the bill "reinforces the bedrock principle that accountability does not equate with public servants being shamed and humiliated in the press."
Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta added: "This is an important win for NYSUT members, and credit goes to our dedicated leaders, activists, legislative staff and the whole NYSUT team, who tirelessly and successfully conveyed to lawmakers the reasons why teacher accountability is not the same as media sensationalism."
Iannuzzi said the bill acknowledges the important partnership between parents and teachers in helping children to learn, "We believe this legislation, if applied correctly, will be fair to teachers, parents and students. It has potential to serve as one more piece of information in a comprehensive process where parents and educators, working together, can ensure that all students have a quality education."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents some 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Protect Teachers' Privacy!!!
Down to the Wire on Teacher Evaluation and Test Scores:
With many issues done the legislature is down to the wire on the issue of publicly releasing teacher report cards. The legislature is scheduled to conclude business on Thursday for the summer. Cuomo and legislative leaders have said they do not think the educational evaluations should be completely disclosed, and at the urging of teachers unions that hope to keep the evaluations under wraps they are close to a system in which only parents will be able to know the rating of their child's teacher.
Take action ASAP to contact your legislator to stress the importance of privacy for teacher evaluation.
Visit the Member Action Center!!!
https://mac.nysut.org/
With many issues done the legislature is down to the wire on the issue of publicly releasing teacher report cards. The legislature is scheduled to conclude business on Thursday for the summer. Cuomo and legislative leaders have said they do not think the educational evaluations should be completely disclosed, and at the urging of teachers unions that hope to keep the evaluations under wraps they are close to a system in which only parents will be able to know the rating of their child's teacher.
Take action ASAP to contact your legislator to stress the importance of privacy for teacher evaluation.
Visit the Member Action Center!!!
https://mac.nysut.org/
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
|
When Gov. Scott Walker launched his attack on working
families and Wisconsin communities last year, he tried to divide the labor
movement.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Isn’t it time for Albany to come up with a better approach to education reform than personal embarrassment and individual blame?
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to tell legislators to stop the public shaming of teachers and to protect our right to privacy! And share this message with your friends and colleagues!
Recent reports in tabloid newspapers included teachers’ names and personal information. This set off a flurry of unfair personal attacks and blatant misinformation about teachers.
Take the case of one 6th grade teacher in New York City. When Teacher Data Reports were published in February, she found herself hounded by New York Post reporters. They rang her doorbell throughout the weekend. They pounded on her window. They proclaimed her the “city’s worst teacher.” And all this despite accounts from her colleagues and peers that she is an excellent teacher in an excellent school.
Unless Albany does something about it soon, we can expect more of the same.
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to tell legislators to stop the public shaming of teachers and to protect our right to privacy! And share this message with your friends and colleagues!
In addition to sending a fax, you can make a personal phone call to the Governor and your legislators’ offices by calling 1-877-255-9417.
It is time for lawmakers to support legislation to protect the privacy rights of teachers with respect to their personnel records.
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to tell legislators to stop the public shaming of teachers and to protect our right to privacy! And share this message with your friends and colleagues!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT Executive Vice President
P.S.: Please pass this message along to friends and colleagues to help protect teacher privacy!
http://locals.nysut.org/r.php?c/1d4z/bWlkaXNsdGFAb3B0b25saW5lLm5ldA
Monday, May 21, 2012
Save the Date!! May 30th!!
Come to a free screening of
The Finland Phenomenon.
Stay for an expert panel discussion, comparing
education reform in the US to the most successful
systems in the world.
Come to the Largest
Education Event and
Discussion to Ever
Hit Long Island!!!
Panelists Include…
Randi Weingarten
President
AFT (American
Federation of Teachers)
Dick Iannuzzi
President
NYSUT (New York State
United Teachers)
Tony Wagner
Author and Innovation
Education Fellow
Harvard University
Samuel Abrams
Author and Visiting
Scholar
Teachers College at
Columbia University
Andrew Greene
Principal
Candlewood Middle
School
Half Hollow Hills
Marguerite Izzo
New York State
Teacher of the Year
Malverne UFSD
Wednesday, May 30th 7:00-9:00
Half Hollow Hills High School East,
50 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
Proudly Hosted by the
Half Hollow Hills Teachers’ Association
and the Suffolk’s Edge Teacher Center
Made Possible With Support From
What does it take to lead
the world in education?
Explore what a system based on
“high stakes” will mean for
OUR SCHOOLS, OUR STUDENTS, and OUR FUTURE.
Pre-register at http://edreformli.eventbrite.com or 631-254-0107 to reserve your seats and be entered into a free raffle drawing.
***Suggested donation of $5 to support the HHHTA Scholarship Fund***
film@hhhta.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Forwarded to MITA from NYSUT on 5-2-12:
JOIN CWA AND ALLIES AT THE SMITH HAVEN MALL
ON THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 AT 5:30PM
AS WE ROAST THE GREEDY PIGS AT VERIZON & VERIZON WIRELESS
MAY 3RD IS THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING AND WE WANT TO LET THEM KNOW WE DEMAND A FAIR CONTRACT!!!
Help SUPPORT Verizon workers!!!!!
TO CONTACT THE CWA LOCAL CALL 631-654-1108
Click here to unsubscribe
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Please make a call to save pensions!!!!
Wall Street is pushing hard for a plan that would make a 40% cut to the retirement of firefighters, teachers, nurses, school bus drivers, police officers - the people we all depend on, just to pad their bottom line. It's time to rebuild the middle class, not attack what's left of it by eliminating retirement security for our dedicated public workers.
Your Action is Needed!
Please Call and FAX the Governor and your legislators today and tell them not to cut pensions by 40 percent!
877-255-9417
www.nysaflcio.org/tier6
Say “No” to Tier 6!
*If you already have contacted your elected officials, thank you and please do it again!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
NYSUT Member Action Center: Oppose Tier VI
Visit the Member Action Center at mac.nysut.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSUTActionCenter...
Dear MITA Members,
If you liked George Bush's scheme to privatize Social Security, you're going to love the Governor's Tier VI pension plan!
It is urgent that you take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to oppose Tier VI!
The risky Tier VI proposal would compromise your retirement security by adding yet another tier to the pension system, forcing new teachers, bus drivers, and support staff to choose between a reduced retirement benefit and a state-sponsored 401(k). And if new employees go into a 401(k) type plan, it would reduce the number of new members in the current pension plan, giving the retirement system less revenue to pay benefits to people like you.
Contact your legislators right now and help spread the word to oppose Tier VI!
This proposal comes in an era in which 401(k) accounts have lost over $1 trillion-- losses that are not due to the actions of working men and women, but because of Wall Street greed and the demolition of government oversight of the financial sector.
Click now to visit the NYSUT Member Action Center to call or fax your legislators, download Tier VI resources, and help us spread the word!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT Executive Vice President
P.S.: Act now! Your retirement security depends on it!
Dear MITA Members,
If you liked George Bush's scheme to privatize Social Security, you're going to love the Governor's Tier VI pension plan!
It is urgent that you take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to oppose Tier VI!
The risky Tier VI proposal would compromise your retirement security by adding yet another tier to the pension system, forcing new teachers, bus drivers, and support staff to choose between a reduced retirement benefit and a state-sponsored 401(k). And if new employees go into a 401(k) type plan, it would reduce the number of new members in the current pension plan, giving the retirement system less revenue to pay benefits to people like you.
Contact your legislators right now and help spread the word to oppose Tier VI!
This proposal comes in an era in which 401(k) accounts have lost over $1 trillion-- losses that are not due to the actions of working men and women, but because of Wall Street greed and the demolition of government oversight of the financial sector.
Click now to visit the NYSUT Member Action Center to call or fax your legislators, download Tier VI resources, and help us spread the word!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT Executive Vice President
P.S.: Act now! Your retirement security depends on it!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Gov. Cuomo and Schools
Please read the article by NYSUT president Richard Ianuzzi, published in Saturday's Albany Times-Union.
http://mail.aol.com/35412-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=30854490&folder=Inbox&partId=1&saveAs=TimesUnion_-_Cuomo%26Schools.pdf
http://mail.aol.com/35412-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=30854490&folder=Inbox&partId=1&saveAs=TimesUnion_-_Cuomo%26Schools.pdf
Friday, February 3, 2012
Union leaders Appeal to Lawmakers for Relief
~~~ NYSUT Newswire - February 1, 2012
Flat funding for the state's public higher education system is inadequate to meet burgeoning enrollments at all levels, and will undermine the value of a college education, NYSUT's higher education leaders told lawmakers Wednesday.
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta was joined by Phil Smith, president of United University Professions at the State University of New York; and Barbara Bowen, president of the Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York, for a heartfelt appeal to the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. UUP and PSC represent the faculty and staff at their respective systems.
The hearing marked the opening round of what is expected to be a tough budget battle, as NYSUT continues to demand more full-time faculty, smaller classes throughout the public higher education system, and greater state and county support for the overstressed community colleges — where faculty at some campuses is 75 percent part-time instructors. The state's three public higher education systems have lost $1.7 billion in state funding since 2008.
Smith added an urgent plea for the SUNY hospitals in his remarks to lawmakers. State funding for the public hospitals was cut last year by $68 million, and Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn faces possible closure.
"When it comes to our teaching hospitals, no one in need of health care gets turned away," Smith said. "That is why these are public institutions. That is why the state needs to properly support them."
Bowen noted that CUNY serves a student body in which 28 percent of the students come from families with incomes of less than $20,000 a year. She told the lawmakers that "it is a cruel and persistent myth that financial aid protects all low-income students from the effects of tuition hikes," and urged lawmakers to increase funding to the state's Tuition Assistance Program to help low-income students face what is expected to be a 30 percent increase in CUNY tuition in the next four years.
Flat funding for the state's public higher education system is inadequate to meet burgeoning enrollments at all levels, and will undermine the value of a college education, NYSUT's higher education leaders told lawmakers Wednesday.
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta was joined by Phil Smith, president of United University Professions at the State University of New York; and Barbara Bowen, president of the Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York, for a heartfelt appeal to the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. UUP and PSC represent the faculty and staff at their respective systems.
The hearing marked the opening round of what is expected to be a tough budget battle, as NYSUT continues to demand more full-time faculty, smaller classes throughout the public higher education system, and greater state and county support for the overstressed community colleges — where faculty at some campuses is 75 percent part-time instructors. The state's three public higher education systems have lost $1.7 billion in state funding since 2008.
Smith added an urgent plea for the SUNY hospitals in his remarks to lawmakers. State funding for the public hospitals was cut last year by $68 million, and Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn faces possible closure.
"When it comes to our teaching hospitals, no one in need of health care gets turned away," Smith said. "That is why these are public institutions. That is why the state needs to properly support them."
Bowen noted that CUNY serves a student body in which 28 percent of the students come from families with incomes of less than $20,000 a year. She told the lawmakers that "it is a cruel and persistent myth that financial aid protects all low-income students from the effects of tuition hikes," and urged lawmakers to increase funding to the state's Tuition Assistance Program to help low-income students face what is expected to be a 30 percent increase in CUNY tuition in the next four years.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Email the Board of Regents!!
From: NYSUT - Dick Iannuzzi
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 3:13 PM
Subject: Why are Albany bureaucrats intimidating our schools?
Dear Colleagues:
State Education Commissioner John King's dictatorial tactics are blocking millions in federal School Improvement Grants from reaching local schools and depriving some of our neediest students of tutoring, AP classes, and other help they need to succeed in school. As advocates for students, we urge you to stand up on behalf of our children.
E-mail the state Board of Regents today and urge them to do what's right. They must tell Commissioner King and the State Education Department to stop playing political games and fund the educational support our students need and deserve.
Act now. Send your e-mail to the Board of Regents.
http://locals.nysut.org/r.php?c/zer/bWlkaXNsdGFAb3B0b25saW5lLm5ldA
Thank you.
Richard C. Iannuzzi
NYSUT President
PS: Be sure to forward this e-mail to your friends and colleagues.
For more information, log on at www.nysut.org.
NYSUT - New York State United Teachers
800 Troy-Schenectady Road
Latham, NY 12110-2455
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