[ Local Unions in Action ]

Members fight for funded SUNY, CUNY

Members from UUP–Binghamton meet with Assemblymember Donna Lupardo.
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Members from UUP–Binghamton meet with Assemblymember Donna Lupardo.
PSC President James Davis rallying with CUNY members
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PSC President James Davis, far left, rallies with CUNY members.
Students, faculty and staff from SUNY, CUNY and independent colleges ralling for A New Deal for Higher Ed.
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Students, faculty and staff from SUNY, CUNY and independent colleges rally for A New Deal for Higher Ed.
Higher education faculty and staff from around the state gathered in Albany last month to make their case clear to lawmakers: Now more than ever, New York needs to invest in its state and city university systems.

This situation is made ever more dire on the heels of threats and actions by the federal government freezing federal research grants, ordering the end of programs that enhance diversity on campuses and threatening to end student loan forgiveness programs.

In addition to visits to legislators’ offices, more than 350 students, and members from United University Professions at SUNY and the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY rallied with legislators inside the state Capitol to support broader access to free tuition and more financial aid. Learn more at uupinfo.org and psc-cuny.org.

Hamburg Teachers Association

Members of the Hamburg TA smiling for group photo outside in coats
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three members smiling with inflatable polar bear wearing Christmas hat
Members of the Hamburg TA were “Freezin’ for a Reason” when they plunged into the icy waters of Lake Erie on Dec. 7.

Thanks to fearless plungers and the generous membership, Team HTA raised $4,000 for the Special Olympics. The HTA is led by Amy Takacs.

Schoharie Teachers Association

Members of the Schoharie TA in aprons and hair caps smiling for group photo
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Members of the Schoharie TA, led by President Natalie McKay, gathered for dinner recently — but the educators were doing the serving. The local served community members at the Schenectady City Mission, an organization that helps to provide basic needs like food, shelter and clothing.
Share news about your local’s union or community events at united@nysut.org; include LIA in the subject line.

Kudos

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It’s an honor

James Chaney, Albany Public Schools United Employees, was named one of five finalists for the prestigious 2025 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees award. Also submitted for recognition for the national RISE award was Mashantuck Bell, United Federation of Teachers. Chaney and Bell are both teaching assistants and are NYSUT’s 2024 School-Related Professionals Member of the Year winners. They were nominated for the award by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

James Byrne, Sachem Central Teachers Association, and Sachem CTA retiree Deborah Spitzli O’Brien were recently inducted into the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame. Byrne was recognized for football, baseball and triathlon. Spitzli O’Brien was recognized for her time as a gymnastics coach.

In print

Torrey Maldonado, UFT, has published Hands. The book, inspired by his life, is for students who are dealing with “heavy issues … to help them feel light.” The book is available at torreymaldonado.com.

Lori Reichel, United University Professions–Cortland, has published Tactile Tools for Social Emotional Learning: Activities to help Children Self-Regulate with SEL, PreK-5. The book is available from Routledge Publishing.

Penny Schneider, Massapequa Federation of Teachers, has published ARTY, her debut children’s graphic novel. A high school art teacher, Schneider is the author illustrator of the interactive book, which includes a prompt at the end of each chapter to include the reader in the story. For more, or to order the book, visit PennySchneider.com or monarcheducationalservices.com.

Kudos recognizes the accomplishments of NYSUT members. Have good news you’d like to share? Email united@nysut.org; include Kudos in the subject line.