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Taking a page out of Martin Luther King Jr.’s repertoire of inspirational and motivational speeches, NYSUT leaders throughout the 36th annual Representative Assembly (RA) in April told delegates their union is “on the move” toward activating members to fight for issues that are paramount to labor unions.
“I am proud to be a force for working people and for social justice,” NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi said during the three-day convention in Manhattan.
NYSUT honored the great civil rights leader on the 40th anniversary of his assassination in Memphis, Tenn., with a prestigious photo exhibit on loan from the Wayne State University Library. King first trumpeted, “We’re on the move” during the historic 1965 march for freedom from Selma to Montgomery, Ala.
Iannuzzi said King had begun to take his fight for justice and freedom beyond civil rights, by making the connection between racial injustice and economic oppression. The day before his assassination, King was speaking out for 1,300 striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn.
As King once proclaimed: “Americans of goodwill have never connected bigotry with economic exploitation. They have deplored prejudice but tolerated or ignored economic injustice. But … these two evils have a malignant kinship.”
Other speakers also referenced King, but none more personally than the Rev. Joseph Lowery. As co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Lowery marched alongside King in Alabama and elsewhere.
“‘On the move’ means higher and harder toward goals of justice and equity,” Lowery said.
“We do together what none of us can do individually.”
He called on RA delegates to “take our country back.”
“This is a government of capitalism, and all we’ve got is the ‘ism’ and they’ve got all the ‘capital,’” Lowery said. “There’s something wrong with the system when a few have more than they’ll ever need and the masses have less than they always need.”
Lowery’s keynote speech drew rousing applause from delegates. NYSUT honored him with this year’s Albert Shanker Award for Distinguished Service, the union’s highest honor.
Iannuzzi said he is hoping King’s words will continue to resonate with unionists and inspire them to take a leading role in their union. The goal, he said, is to level the educational playing field by attacking the education gap’s root cause: poverty.
“There seems to be no outrage” over the growing disparity between the affluent and the poor, said NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin. He told delegates their union is pushing for a progressive tax structure that will “close the wealth gap economically.”
“Complacency among members is unacceptable,” Lubin added. “Working toward social justice is not extracurricular activity. … We need to move this country and this union forward. Let’s get on the move. Let’s get it done.”
Vice President Maria Neira didn’t miss a beat, calling on delegates to “rock the boat,” by being at the “center of change” for decisions that affect the workplace.
“We’ve heard a lot about how we should do our jobs from CEOs, lawyers, foundations, corporate-funded think tanks and, of course, the federal government,” Neira said. “Well, I have a message for all the so-called experts who have never worked a day in a school, at a college or in health care: NYSUT is in the business of rocking boats.”
She said NYSUT and AFT continue to “make waves” on the ill-conceived No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, and are encouraged to know AFT-endorsed presidential candidate — U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton — has pledged to end NCLB.
“I’m in this race for you and for all our children,” Clinton said via phone from the campaign trail in Pennsylvania. “I intend to take your needs to the White House.”
Lubin urged members to volunteer for Clinton in door-to-door or phone campaigns and to contribute to the union’s political action fund “like your future depends on it — because it does.”
Vice President Kathleen Donahue encouraged members from all NYSUT constituency groups to come together to strengthen schools and hospitals, and work to achieve social justice and to improve the professional, economic and personal lives of members.
NYSUT members need to “reach out, strengthen our connections and stay united for our common good,” Donahue said.
Their pro-union, pro-justice message didn’t fall on deaf ears.
“The neat thing about the RA is there’s a sense of connectedness with members of a variety of unions,” said UUPer Karen Volkman of Plattsburgh. “It enhances the state of solidarity — that we’re all in this together.”
Edward Drummond of Stony Brook HSC added, “People are realizing that we’re in a bad situation economically. The fact is, unions can make a difference.”
Meanwhile, delegates re-elected four NYSUT officers and elected a new secretary-treasurer.
Re-elected to three-year terms were NYSUT President Iannuzzi, Executive Vice President Lubin, Vice President Niera and Vice President Donahue. Vice President Robin Rapaport, former president of NEA/NY, continues in office until July.
Lee Cutler, a former middle school English/language arts teacher for more than 24 years in Westchester, Ulster and Rockland counties, was elected to his first term as secretary-treasurer.
He succeeds Ivan Tiger, who is retiring.
Delegates also elected at-large delegates to the NYSUT Board of Directors, including UUPers Phillip Smith, Patricia Bentley, Rowena Blackman-Stroud and Thomas Matthews.
Delegates throughout the RA adopted a number of resolutions that will chart the union’s course over the next year. The resolutions, including seven submitted by UUP, range from federal
education mandates and retiree benefits to the environment and human rights.
The delegation also threw its collective weight behind United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten for AFT president. Current AFT President Edward McElroy will step down in July during the federation’s biennial convention.
— Karen L. Mattison