In the wake of bitter attacks against unions and collective bargaining rights in a number of states, more than 100 UUP members joined more than 2,000 of their NYSUT sisters and brothers in vowing to fight back.

The unionists brought together their collective strength during NYSUT’s 39th annual Representative Assembly, held April 7-9 in New York City. The RA’s theme, “United We Lead,” was a call for unionists to remain united to meet the serious challenges ahead of them.

In his State of the Union address to delegates, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi detailed the obstacles facing public education and unions, and he warned that the struggle is not confined beyond the borders of New York.

“Make no mistake about it, the battle isn’t only in the Midwest. The battle is here in New York as well,” Iannuzzi cautioned. “We see it in attacks on seniority and pensions. We see it in attacks on due process. And make no mistake about it, the battle will be fought here. And the battle will be won here.”

SUPPORT FOR UUP

UUP got help in its battle against SUNY budget cuts, in the form of a resolution sponsored by UUP passed unanimously by the delegates. The resolution called on NYSUT to work with the governor and the Legislature to ensure that SUNY and its hospitals receive adequate funding to carry out their core missions.

Another UUP-sponsored resolution asked NYSUT to seek legislation requiring more transparency and accountability for the SUNY Research Foundation and other SUNY campus foundations.

“If we could lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the Research Foundation, it could help us stop UB 2020 because the legislation would shed some light on the activities of the UB Foundation,” UUP President Phil Smith told the College and University Resolutions Committee. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

UUP delegates also chose its representatives to the NYSUT Board of Directors. Rowena Blackman-Stroud, Tom Matthews and Ed Quinn were elected by the UUP delegation. UUP President Smith was re-elected by all RA delegates to an at-large board seat.

MEETING CHALLENGES

UUP members and their NYSUT colleagues applauded a series of speakers who lent their support to the political challenges the labor movement faces.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said the tide is turning in favor of labor. “You see signs in store windows and letters to the editor,” she said. “People are saying the same thing; it’s wrong to take away rights, silence voices, crush the middle class and strip workers of their voice and dignity while giving huge tax breaks to the wealthy.”

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said the move to erode workers’ rights is not about economics. “It’s about silencing the voice of unions and the middle class,” he said.

NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta fired up the crowd, asking members to not just be in the union, but be the union. “We have not yet begun to fight,” he shouted. “The revolution starts now, and it’s in our own backyard.” UUP delegates like Deb Zinser of Plattsburgh liked what they heard.

“The attack on workers upsets me tremendously,” she said. “I’m livid that they feel as though they can take away benefits and bargaining rights of people who have worked hard to get to where they are.”

UUPer Bruce Altschuler of Oswego agreed.

“All of my colleagues work hard, and no one goes into academe for the money. We do it because we love our work,” Altschuler said.

Wasting no time putting their words into action, RA delegates took up a collection to support the AFL-CIO’s Unity Fund. They raised nearly $15,000 and NYSUT added another $25,000 to the Unity Fund’s coffers.

— Donald Feldstein