FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT DEB PETERSON
An Anniversary is a mile marker; a celebration or other commemorative ritual marking the date of an important event in the past. The year 2016 marks the AFT 100th Anniversary Celebration (1916-2016) of “Honoring Our Past & Inspiring Our Future”. Union Brothers & Sisters from all over the country will meet in Minneapolis on July 18 – 21, 2016 to further advocate for the ideals and principles set forth in the AFT Mission Statement.
The American Federation of Teachers is a Union of Professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; high-quality public Education; and Healthcare and Public Services for our students, their families and our communities. As members, we are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and members’ political activism.
The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, was founded in 1916 and today represents 1.6 million members in more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide including NYSUT. Five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of the AFT's Membership: Pre-K through 12th-Grade Teachers; Paraprofessionals and other School-Related Personnel; Higher Education Faculty and Professional Staff; Federa, State and Local Government Employees; plus Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals. In addition, the AFT represents approximately 80,000 Early Childhood Educators and nearly 250,000 Retiree Members.
There are other anniversaries that are being celebrated throughout 2016 including the 25th Anniversary of NYSUT Retiree Councils & the 15th Anniversary of our very own NYSUT RC 43 Naples TRIF Unit! (See more throughout this publication.) CONGRATULATIONS!
NYSUT RETIREES have been busy at work and have proposed the following RESOLUTIONS be brought before the DELEGATES of the 44th ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY on April 8-9, 2016:
RESOLUTION #18 - RETIREE VOTE-COPE
RESOLVED, that NYSUT consider changing the current practice and recognize their retirees and Retiree Council efforts in the VOTE-COPE program by returning a portion of the dollar amount contributed by retirees designated as 999 to the Retiree Councils.
RESOLUTION #20 - OPPOSE THE 2017 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
RESOLVED, that NYSUT redouble its efforts against a constitutional convention in New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, that NYSUT wage a public relations campaign to convince the public of the futility of holding a constitutional convention in 2017.
RESOLUTIONS #35 – PRESERVE AND REINSTATE SOCIAL SECURITY
RESOLVED, that NYSUT urge more active support for maintaining and improving Social Security by its national affiliates, and be it further
RESOLVED, that NYSUT urge its national affiliates to support returning to the previous practice of no taxation of Social Security income.