Union for Life, Truly!
AFT says “Activists never retire”. Working with retirees from AFT, UFT, NEA and NYSUT here in Florida that is very believable! Retirees are making a difference despite the obstacles presented by COVID.
In recent NYSUT RC 43 Zoom meetings, speakers from YOUR Union addressed the stability of your pension (David Keefe, December). In January, the President of Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, (FLARA,) Bill Sauers outlined activist and advocacy issues in DC and Tallahassee. In February, a team of NYSUT leaders informed members of the extended services available to them because of their union's lifetime commitment to its members.
It can be easy to take the 'union advantages' for granted when coming from New York. High salaries, guaranteed health benefits, tenure, a secure pension protected by the state constitution, and political clout in the state capital are among the benefits of union membership. It is why NYSUT retirees can relax and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle whether they choose to remain in NY, resettle in FL, or be a 'snowbird'.
Florida educators have no such safety. The starting salary for a teacher in St. Lucie County in 2018 was $37,000. They have had to pay increasing portions of their health insurance for years. There is no such thing as tenure in FL. The public pension system, FRS, is under attack as is their right to join a union AGAIN in this legislative session. (Florida has been a Right to Work (RTW) state for decades and each legislative session targets unions with anti-worker bills.) The average pension of a teacher in FL is less than $30,000 after 3 decades of service and their health insurance/supplements are UNPAID in retirement.
These contrasts are a direct result of bad governance, one party rule, gerrymandering, voter suppression, election intimidation and voter indifference to abuse.
Unions have ALWAYS fought for workers' rights, voting rights, civil and human rights, workplace safety, justice, and equity. Those fights are ongoing even now because where there is injustice, there are union organizers standing beside their brothers and sisters in the struggle.
The Black History that we celebrate annually in February and the Women's History that we celebrate each March are part of the Union History that we take pride in retelling because unions work hard at 'inclusivity' believing that we are 'all in this together'.
Look for us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/New-York-State-United-Teacher-Retirees-In-Florida-166355720080638/
Read our articles on the web: http://rc43.ny.aft.org/
Join us at a future Zoom meeting by contacting miriamtrh@gmail.com
Because TRULY ...union for life! And activists never retire!