Important News Out of Locust Valley

This appears to be a pretty big story and we will follow up on it as it develops.

Via the Locust Valley Teachers Association’s president…

This year, the Locust Valley BOE decided to deny the incremental steps provided by in our contract and protected by Triborough. We have filed an Improper Practice charge, our grievance is in arbitration and we, currently, are at impasse in our negotiations.

This action, suggested by Terry O’Neill of Bond Schoenck and supported by our superintendent, Anna Hunderfund, if successful, has dire consequences for all public employees.

Howie Hawkins, Brian Jones, and Where they Stand on Public Education

Yesterday the PJSTA hosted an approximate 50 people who came out to hear gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins speak.  Hawkins, the Green Party candidate endorsed by the PJSTA, is the only pro-public education candidate in the election.

To see where each candidate stands on issues related to public education click here: GOVERNORS RACE SIDE BY SIDE

To listen to Hawkins and his running mate, Brian Jones, talk about the issues related to public education, check out the videos below…

Hawkins and Jones on Teacher Tenure 

Hawkins and Jones on the Triborough Amendment 

Come Meet Gubernatorial Candidate Howie Hawkins!

Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, running as the Green Party candidate, will be at Comsewogue High School next Monday, October 27th at 4:00 pm for a meet and greet.  Hawkins, who has been endorsed by the PJSTA, the BTF, and others, has an education platform that all public school students, teachers, and parents can get behind.  Please come out and meet Mr. Hawkins next Monday.  Be sure to share with your friends and family as well!

To hear a bit about where Hawkins stands on public education watch the video below…

Buffalo Teachers Federation Join PJSTA in Endorsing Howie Hawkins for Governor

Earlier this month the PJSTA became the first teachers union to endorse the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins in his bid for governor in this fall’s election.  On Thursday night we were joined by one of the state’s largest locals, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, who voted unanimously last night to endorse Hawkins and his running mate Brian Jones.

Via State of Politics…

Also last night, the Buffalo Teachers Federation voted unanimously to endorse Hawkins, according to his campaign, becoming the third teachers union to back his minor party gubernatorial bid.

In the same article we find this interesting bit about Andrew Cuomo’s Democratic primary opponent, Zephyr Teachout…

As for Teachout herself, she is still on a statewide tour promoting her new book, “Corruption in America”, and simultaneously trying to help the Senate Democrats’ in their quest to re-take the majority.

Teachout has not yet issued an endorsement in the governor’s race.

Hawkins said earlier this month that he spoke to Teachout about backing him, and she’s “open” to the idea. It’s highly unlikely she’ll support her erstwhile primary opponent, Cuomo, before the Nov. 4 election.

Send Well Wishes to Karen Lewis

By now you may have heard about the unfortunate illness that Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is battling.

Today the CTU released details on how you can send Karen your well wishes.

Via the CTU Blog…

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis is recovering well from last week’s surgery and appreciates the outpouring of love and support from across the world. If you wish to send a card, letter, flowers or other get well greetings, please send them to the Chicago Teachers Union office.

Chicago Teachers Union
Cards for Karen c/o Audrey May
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, #400
Chicago, IL 60654

Beth Dimino, Karen Lewis, and Brian St. Pierre this summer in Chicago.
Beth Dimino, Karen Lewis, and Brian St. Pierre this summer in Chicago.

Labor Notes Book Party

Thank you to all of the PJSTA members who attended tonight’s Labor Notes Book Party about the book How to Jump-Start Your Union: Lessons from the Chicago Teachers.  Joining a healthy representation of PJSTA members were teachers from districts such as Mount Sinai, Patchogue-Medford, Port Jefferson, Levittown, and Shoreham-Wading River.

We were joined tonight by Mark Brenner and Samantha Winslow of Labor Notes.  Brenner and Winslow were also two of the authors of the book.  Brenner spoke about his unique experiences as a teacher and now writer for Labor Notes.  He provided valuable insights into what has been effective in Chicago and other areas of the country where teachers are fighting back against harmful education reforms.

We were also joined by Brian Jones who has experience in trying to build a more member drive union from his work helping to build the MORE Caucus in the UFT.  Jones is currently the Green Party’s candidate for Lieutenant Governor.  Jones and running mate Howie Hawkins, who is running for governor, have been formally endorsed by the PJSTA.

Labor Notes logo.

Philadelphia Cancels Contract With It’s Teachers

In a startling move earlier this week the Philadelphia school district canceled their contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

Via the Washington Post…

The five-member reform commission that controls the cash-starved Philadelphia public schools announced on Monday that it was canceling its contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and while it would continue to honor most contract provisions, it would change the package of health-care benefits and require all teachers to contribute to the health fund. The union said the commission’s action “has amped up a war on teachers.”

The Philadelphia School Reform Commission, in a surprise move, said that after 21 months of negotiating with the  Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, that it would abrogate the contract, which has largely remained in effect even though it actually expired in August 2013. The commission has unilaterally taken other steps to violate contract provisions, including stopping paying teachers for “step” increases.

The cancelation of the contract could cost some Philadelphia teachers more than $600 per month.

We will certainly have more on this story in the coming weeks, but it is obviously just another attack in the war on teachers.  It is important to remember that attacks on teachers in other districts, cities, and states are attacks on all of us.  The PJSTA will shortly be planning an opportunity for you to show support for our brothers and sisters in Philadelphia.

Join PearUp to Support Morgan Leary

There are only two days left to earn the $1,000 of “free” money for one of our own, Emily Leary’s family. As you know her 6-year old daughter has brain cancer.  We are about 75% of the way to our goal, so there is more work to do!

This is NOT a request for a donation and it doesn’t cost you anything.  The first request that was sent around indicated that all you had to do was click on the advertisement, which we believe many people did.  However, we realized in order for us to earn points you have to sign-up with your email (if you’re worried about spam, view the privacy policy) or use Facebook so the company can ensure that they are receiving unique hits to their sponsor’s site.

There is no reason why our caring membership should not be able to attain this goal.  Pass it along to friends and family members.  Time is running out to help this wonderful family and child through this “free” promotion.  I know we can do it!

Here is the link for pearup.com. Please share with everyone through email and/or social media.

1. Click https://www.pearup.com/unitedbymorgan

2. Click “Support this Group” in the blue box on the right

3. Sign up with email (will have to confirm) or Facebook

a. Do both for extra points

4. There are 5 more ways to earn points

a. Follow: Follow Verizon on Twitter

b. Instagram: Follow Verizon on Instagram

c. Visit: Visit the Verizon website

d. Photo: Upload photo and share on Facebook

e. Rally: Share on Facebook and/or Twitter

Save the Date! PJSTA/Labor Notes Book Party- 10/16

On October 16th the PJSTA and Labor Notes will be hosting a book party for the book How to Jump-Start Your Union: Lessons from the Chicago Teachers.  The book party will be at Comsewogue High School at 6:00 pm.  Anyone is welcome to attend, not just PJSTA members.  There is no cost for admission.  You can order the book here or buy it in person at the book party.  If you plan to attend please RSVP at thepjsta@gmail.com.

Via Labor Notes…

Join us for a discussion of Labor Notes’ new book, How to Jump-Start Your Union: Lessons from the Chicago Teachers, with a presentation from Labor Notes author Mark Brenner.

How to Jump-Start Your Union tells how activists transformed their union by engaging their co-workers and neighbors and unleashing the smarts of rank-and-file members. Readers will learn how Chicago teachers worked with their communities, organized a caucus, ran for office, rebuilt a stewards network, trained new leaders, ran a contract campaign, and went on strike.

PLUS: Hear from Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association leaders about New York education struggles and the fight against corporate education “reform.”

Books will be for sale at the event for $15.

For questions, contact Samantha Winslow at 718-284-4144 or Samantha@labornotes.org.

Comments on the book:

“Labor Notes has done it again! Every unionist should read this book that chronicles how the new leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union organized their members, built strong support with the community, and waged a strike against formidable adversaries. But this book is more—it’s a manual on how all unions can revamp to win justice, with lessons that every union can apply to their own situation.”
—STEVEN ASHBY, professor of labor relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“How to Jump-Start Your Union should be a beacon to all rank-and-file members on how to bring democracy to their locals. It’s a toolkit that shows how good old-fashioned hard work and faith in the membership can empower every frontline worker. The bird’s-eye view of the CORE caucus carefully proves that issues are more important than elections and can serve to unite us. It is never all right to just complain.”
—KAREN LEWIS, president, Chicago Teachers Union

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union