Please Donate for Morgan Leary

At our conference day yesterday we heard the heartbreaking story of Morgan Leary, the daughter of PJSTA Rep Council member Emily Leary.

Via the GoFundMe page for Morgan…

Morgan Leary, 6 was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor on August 16, 2014. She has undergone several surgeries to remove as much of the tumor as possible and to control her brain pressure. The tumor itself is aggressive and Morgan will likely require chemotherapy and radiation to combat the rest of the tumor.

Morgan is an amazingly sweet, kind and gentle little girl, as is her twin sister, Emma. It’s no wonder these two little girls are so amazing with parents like Emily and Brian.

Morgan’s parents, are such genuine, kind, caring and selfless people. They are devastated by Morgan’s diagnosis, but are focused on getting Morgan better and taking care of Emma. Anything we can all do to support and help them financially at this horrific time will be something less for them to think about.   It will enable them to keep their strength and minds focused where they need to be – on both of their beautiful little girls.  Please donate and help the Leary family fight this fight!

Please visit the GoFundMe page set up for Morgan and give what you can.

Morgan Leary

Phone Bank Info & Pictures from Today’s PJSTA Conference Day

Phone Bank from home!

The Teachout-Wu Campaign Team would like everyone to go sign up on the Amicus site and make 20 calls (at least).  It is very easy – you can “phone-bank” from the privacy of your own home and computer.

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PJSTA members give Zephyr Teachout a standing ovation!
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Zephyr Teachout addresses the PJSTA membership.
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Zephyr Teachout mingling with PJSTA members before the morning press conference.
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We Support Public Education and We Vote!
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Beth Dimino introduces Zephyr Teachout at press conference.

Solidarity, Loyalty, and Asking Questions

Fellow NYSUT member Bianca Tanis recently wrote a great piece about NYSUT leadership titled A Respectful Revolution: Questioning Union Practice as an Act of Loyalty.  Tanis hits the nail on the head in the article.  This blog, along with several others, have regularly called out NYSUT leadership for what have been a series of broken promises and behavior that is in the best interests of only the top few officers in the union, not the 600,000 members they represent.

Via @ The Chalk Face…

Does loyalty to one’s union require blind faith? Must one eschew raising questions and concerns to demonstrate solidarity? Over the past few weeks, I have asked myself these questions. Certainly, any organization worth protecting is worth holding up to a high standard and can withstand tough questions, even when such questions are made in the public eye. In recent months, I have found it increasingly difficult to defend, let alone maintain faith in the current state union leadership in NYS, yet I believe steadfastly that the union can and will remain a powerful force for worker protection and student advocacy.

Tanis goes on to articulate her experience with the NYSUT leadership, in particular dealing with a situation in which she questioned NYSUT over spokesman Carl Korn being quoted in a Newsday article saying, “The vast majority of questions do appear to be age- and developmentally appropriate,” when referring to the 2014 ELA and math state assessments.  After trying to question NYSUT over this seemingly bizarre comment Tanis received little or no response from the leadership.  I urge you to read the entire article detailing her experience.

Tanis calls into question an issue that several of us have been dealing with recently.  NYSUT’s leadership simply ignores any criticism or questioning of their behavior.  Emails, tweets, and phone calls go unanswered as though they are teaching dissenters a lesson.  While they ignore concerns from their membership, those who support the leadership accuse anyone asking questions of being disloyal and destroying solidarity.  Some even claim us to be “union busters.”  They did it when leadership broke their campaign promise of being “against the Common Core.”  They did it when they worked to block a Zephyr Teachout endorsement.  They did it one more time when members called into question the back room, double pension deal that suspiciously sailed through state government. Last week Arthur Goldstein echoed the very same concerns that I express here.

I love NYSUT and believe that our statewide union can be a force for good in public education.  But members should have their eyes open.  They should ask questions.  They should hold their well compensated officers accountable.  It’s part of the democratic process and it makes us a stronger union.

Notes for Tomorrow’s Conference Day

A few quick notes on tomorrow’s conference day…

  • We will meet promptly at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point at 8:30 am.
  • Please wear your PJSTA shirts.
  • Breakfast will be served earlier than usual.
  • Zephyr Teachout, gubernatorial candidate will address our membership.
  • The district’s portion of the day will follow ours.  We will head to Comsewogue High School following the conclusion of our event.

Happy New Year!

A Few More Thanks

After my post from yesterday on who I am thankful for this Labor Day, Jack Zamek left a comment.  I thought the comment provided a lot more insight into our history and was worthy of posting here.  Thanks Jack!

To Brian St.Pierre. ALSO. Give thanks to Mike Quill, President of the Transportation workers union who started it all with a wildcat strike on Jan 1st 1967. Also, Governor Rockefeller who wanted no more strikes, and was willing to do something about it. He appointed Prof Taylor from the Univ. of Penn. to settle with the Unions. Also, Nick Poulos, Comsewogue Board President, who was willing to make decisions. Also, the original five teachers who worked to change the one page salary agreement to a thirty five page Contract. They were Bob Carr, John Jurich, Walter Rice, Leonard Brass and me. Believe me when I say it was a labor of love. THANKS for the thanks. Jack Zamek

 

Many Labor Day Thanks

Labor Day, a creation of the labor movement, is a special time for union members to reflect on what their unions have done for them.  The enhancements to their life that their unions have provided.

Last year I wrote a letter to the PJSTA membership thanking various people for what they have done for my union.  I am more grateful than ever for those people today, so I am re-posting that letter below.  In addition I am adding a few more names below the re-post of last year’s letter.

To the PJSTA membership…

As we get ready to embark on another school year, Labor Day offers me a moment to pause and express gratitude for the people who have made up my union and allowed me to enjoy the career that I have today…

  • Thank you Beth Dimino, PJSTA President, for tirelessly working on our behalf for more than four five years now. For working to preserve and enhance a strong contract, and for largely keeping us whole through turbulent times.
  • Thank you Christine Pendergast, Fran DiPiazza, and Jim Roth. The three presidents who have represented me throughout my career and have shown me what strong union leadership can do.
  • Thank you to all of the presidents who came before them, including Bob Carr (thanks Jack Zamek!) and Bill Hippner, who I have had the pleasure of knowing through his role in rep council. These are the people who built a strong contract one battle at a time over the years.
  • Thank you to the many men and women who have served on our executive boards and rep councils through the years, who have given tremendous amounts of time to form the governing body of the PJSTA.
  • Thank you to Rich Davis, my union buddy during my first year of teaching, and my first senior building rep. He was the first person who made union work appealing to me.
  • Thank you to Donna Gardner and Gail Ports who have done an incredible job representing me as my senior building rep in the years since Rich Davis.
  • Thank you to the PJSTA members who voted to authorize strikes in the 1970’s, showing the willingness to make a tremendous sacrifice, if necessary, for the greater good of our local.
  • Finally, thank you to the rank and file membership of the PJSTA, throughout our history. We have had great leaders, but our strength is in numbers. It is a whole lot easier for our leadership to take a stand and guide us through difficult times when they know they have 300 PJSTA members at their back.

Through the past several years the PJSTA has taken a leadership role in our region, fighting against the privatization of public education. We have had a substantial presence at rallies and events throughout the state. Our members have taken whatever action necessary when called upon. We have an aggressive and ambitious campaign planned for this year. Our membership will be called upon to take sustained action throughout the year. I know we will rise to the occasion and let our collective voice be heard.

Happy Labor Day… and welcome back to school!

In solidarity,

Brian St. Pierre

Over the past year I have met some incredible unionists over the past year who I am better off for knowing today and who have provided me with an inspiration for what unionists should be.  So I have a few more thank you’s to offer this year…

  • Thank you to our brothers and sisters in the MORE Caucus, the social justice caucus of the UFT, who I have had the great pleasure of working with this past year on a number of issues.  Those people included, but are not limited to Mike Schirtzer, James Eterno, Lauren Cohen, Megan Moskop, Norm Scott, and Peter Lamphere.
  • Thank you to Arthur Goldstein, UFT member who blogs at NYC Educator.  Arthur ran for NYSUT’s Executive Vice-President this year and impressed virtualy everyone he came across.  Additionally he shows up at virtually every rally and event that we hold out on Long Island.
  • Thank you to the CORE teachers from the Chicago Teachers Union and their leaders including, but not limited to, Michelle Gunderson, Debby Pope, and Sarah Chambers, among many others.  They have carved a path for so many other teachers unions to follow in this country.  The CORE teachers from Chicago also proved wonderful hosts when Beth Dimino and I visited this summer.
  • Thank you to all of the people who put work into the Stronger Together Caucus this year.  Our statewide union will ultimately thrive because we have so many people who will not give up the fight for a more democratic union that allows a voice for all of our membership.
  • Thank you to the members who are new to the PJSTA this year.  We are excited to have wonderful new union activists!

PJSTA Flashback: 38 years ago!

A friend of ours sent this along.  The newspaper clipping below, from the Long Island Press dated September 8, 1976 tells the story of three Long Island locals who voted to authorize strikes.  One of those locals was your very own PJSTA!  In case your eyes don’t allow you to read it, the part about our local says…

Meanwhile, Comsewogue teachers (Port Jefferson Station) were to hear at dawn today whether night-long negotiations had reached a settlement, or whether they would strike.

Bill Hippner, spokesman for the teachers said their president, Robert Carr, would call the strike this morning if their was no settlement.  The 6:30 a.m. meeting was in the theatre at the Arcade shopping center.

As you enjoy your Labor Day weekend, let this article be a good reminder of the courage that our predecessors in the PJSTA showed in order to win many of the benefits that remain in our contract today.

On a side note, Bill Hippner’s work for our union continued long after he retired.  As recently as this past May he was still serving as the retirement representative on our Representative Council.  If you touch base with him at all be sure to thank him for the immeasurable amount of work he did for our union!

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Links on Teachout & NYSUT

I’ve been out of commission for a few days as I had some laptop issues resolved.  However I am back in action and have a few links to pass on that we should all be reading.

First to Zephyr Teachout, the PJSTA endorsed gubernatorial candidate…

There will be a a rally in support of Teachout on Thursday, September 4th at 4:30.  All PJSTA members should be there.  Teachout, Beth Dimino, Carol Burris, Kevin Glynn, and Jeanette Deutermann will be among the attendees and speakers.  More information at the bottom of this post.

The Long Island Press quotes Teachout as saying her first order of business would be working to eliminate the Common Core in New York State and dismissing commissioner John King.  Via the Long Island Press…

Teachout has been equally outspoken against Common Core, the education reform created by the National Governor’s Association and the Council of State School Officers and implemented to what many are calling disastrous results under the leadership of Cuomo and his appointed Commissioner of Education John King.

Teachout said the first order of business if she was to beat Cuomo would be the elimination of Common Core, and King as commissioner.

“John King has failed to listen to parents and teachers who have spoken up forcefully about the problems with high stakes testing and privatization of public schools, and is the wrong person for the job,” she said.

“Listening” is a key component of being governor, she stressed amid the market. “He’s not a good listener.”

The more you hear her speak the more you wonder what NYSUT possibly could have been thinking when they chose not to endorse her.

Speaking of NYSUT, we have a few good links on the double pension scandal that broke last week…

Over at the Perdido Street School blog, Reality-Based Educator says the Cuomo/NYSUT double pension deal needs to be investigated.

Sean Crownley from the B-LoEdScene blog says that NYSUT leadership needs to explain themselves or resign.

Arthur Goldstein at NYC Educator talks about the poor defense arguments that NYSUT leadership’s mouthpieces are offering up.

Here is the information on Thursday’s Teachout rally…

 

Sign Letter of Support for Zephyr Teachout

Last Friday the PJSTA issued an official endorsement of Zephyr Teachout, who will square off against Andrew Cuomo in the gubernatorial Democratic primary on September 9th.  Teachout, considered the underdog to the Wall Street backed Cuomo, has gained significant momentum over the past few weeks.  In spite of her virtually ideal education platform, NYSUT has chosen not to endorse her in the coming primary.  That has not stopped educators from across the state from throwing their support behind her, however.  Local education leaders have begun to sign a letter of support for Teachout.

If you’d like to sign the letter yourself you can click here.  You can also be sure to “Like” the Facebook page.

To contribute to Teachout’s campaign click here.