5 Questions for Enis Jevric

You participated in Committee of 100 in Albany in early March where you spoke with lawmakers and rallied with hundreds of other union activists at the state Capitol. What inspired you to make the trip?

I wanted to express my concerns about fixing Tier 6, that was the primary reason, but I’d also never been to something like that before. My local, which represents teachers and SRPs, usually only sends one representative from our executive board. I really wanted to go. I used two personal days and traveled up with my local’s vice president. I’m an executive board member representing aides at four schools in my district. This is my third year with the district and my first year really getting involved with the union so I’m new to everything.

What did you think of Committee of 100?

I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot; I loved the energy and I read a letter to Sen. Shelley Mayer about why it’s important to fix Tier 6. When we rallied on the Million Dollar Staircase, it made me proud to represent my school district and to see everyone come together from all around the state united for the common cause of fixing Tier 6.

When did you become aware of the disparities between Tier 6 and earlier pension tiers?

I didn’t start finding more information until I got involved with the union, and my local president talked about fixing Tier 6. So I went to the NYSUT website to find out more information, but before that I watched a YouTube video that explained it pretty well. That was the first video that brought to life the problems of Tier 6 for me.

What have you done to make others aware of the problems with Tier 6?

Another SRP advisory committee member and I decided to start a Tarrytown regional SRP committee. We’re speaking with different union presidents [from our area] about selecting one or two SRP members from their local to serve on the committee. We’re just getting it organized now; but we want it to be an outlet for us to inform more SRP members about issues like fixing Tier 6, professional trainings, how to read their contract, things like that. I feel like the communication isn’t there yet with a lot of the younger members … they don’t read long emails. We want to change that, maybe send out texts or something to get information out.

NYSUT had a big win this year, getting the Final Average Salary calculation reduced from five to three years for Tier 6 members. Are you inspired to fight harder now that you’ve had a taste of activism?

There’s a quote I like to say to my students, “If it’s important to you, you find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” Doing this work is important to me, and it feels good to know that other union members are fighting with us. The FAS win shows that they’re listening to us. It’s not the full cake, but at least it’s a piece of the cake and … if we continue fighting, eventually it’s going to add up to a full one. I feel like we’re Tier 5.5 now!