[ Retirees in Action ]

NYSUT celebrates inaugural Retiree Recognition Day

T

he inaugural NYSUT Retiree Recognition Day, Monday, Oct. 21, was marked with cake, political action and a legislative proclamation.

“NYSUT has one of the most active and successful retiree programs in the country, and they do so much to enrich and support our union,” said Ron Gross, NYSUT second vice president, whose office coordinates the union’s retiree services program. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to formally recognize their many contributions.”

In honor of the day, Gross traveled to Yonkers for a Retiree Recognition Day celebration hosted by the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, led by Samantha Rosado-Ciriello.

Scores of Long Island retirees celebrated the day by turning out for NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour which traveled across the island to support candidates in important congressional and legislative races. As part of the tour, retiree activists rallied for Laura Gillen, Representative-elect for Congressional District 4, while phone-banking at NYSUT’s Nassau County regional office.

At a Western New York celebration organized by Janet Goddard, retiree services consultant for RC 1, 2, 3 and 44, attendees made calls, wrote election postcards and received a proclamation from the Office of the Erie County Executive officially celebrating Retiree Recognition Day 2024.

Other celebrations included a breakfast for Albany Public School Teachers Association retirees, hosted by in-service members under the leadership of local president Laura Franz, and a luncheon for East Irondequoit TA retirees; the EITA is led by Michelle Barrett.

Retiree Recognition Day was established by a resolution passed at the 2023 NYSUT Representative Assembly to acknowledge the many contributions made by the statewide union’s “daytime army” of retiree activists.

group photo of retirees with one woman holding a 2024 retiree recognition day sign
Photos: Provided
NYSUT Second Vice President Ron Gross celebrates Retiree Recognition Day at a Yonkers event.
NYSUT 2024 retiree recognition day sign
group photo of Susan McClary, Janet Goddard, Joe Cantafio, Carrie Andrews and Lynn Mele at table with a NYSUT retiree recognition sign in the background
The Western New York Regional Office celebration includes from left, Susan McClary, Janet Goddard, Joe Cantafio, Carrie Andrews and Lynn Mele.
Kevin Peterman and Fred Pitrelli pictured together in front of a parked bus and crowd in the background
FA of Suffolk Community Collge retiree Kevin Peterman and Hauppauge TA retiree Fred Pitrelli at the Common Ground bus tour in Long Island.
Ken Ulric and Tomia Smith standing in front of NYSUT bus
Long Island retirees Ken Ulric, Farmingdale FT, and Tomia Smith, Massapegua FT.
Retiree Recognition Day proclamation
The Erie County executive’s office issued a proclamation officially celebrating Retiree Recognition Day 2024.
Nassau County retirees holding signs with 'Laura Gillen' printed on them
Nassau County retirees made calls and and rallied for Laura Gillen, CD 4.
2024 retiree recognition day themed cake
Retiree Consultants
Janet Goddard, RC 1, 2, 3, 44
Janet.Goddard@nysut.org
Louise Ortman, RC 4, 46
Louise.Ortman@nysut.org
Peter Randazzo, RC 5, 6
Peter.Randazzo@nysut.org
Anne Marie Voutsinas, RC 7, 8
Annemarie.Voutsinas@nysut.org
Chris Fowler, RC 9, 10
Chris.Fowler@nysut.org
Mark Padgett, RC 11, 45
Mark.Padgett@nysut.org
Sheryl Baker Delano, RC 12, 13
Sheryl.Delano@nysut.org
Lynn O’Donnell, RC 14, 15/16
Lynn.O’Donnell@nysut.org
Claire Zatorski, RC 17, 18, 19
Claire.Zatorski@nysut.org
James Kinnier, RC 20, 21, 22, 23
James.Kinnier@nysut.org
Miriam Hanan, RC 43
Miriam.Hanan@nysut.org

For more info: https://nysut.cc/rsc