A former part-time journalism instructor at UAlbany has written a book on UUP’s state affiliate that tells the story of how the union changed the plight of teachers and rose to prominence in New York state.

In Teachers United: The Rise of New York State United Teachers (SUNY Press 2007), author Dennis Gaffney uses firsthand accounts of rank-and-file members and activists to document how these once-exploited teachers fought to form a union and how the 585,000-member organization is a model of unity and success. He also points out how NYSUT has been a leader in education reform and in raising academic standards.

The book is available from SUNY Press for $25.

— Karen L. Mattison