RA delegates vote to uphold labor values, protect the American Dream
t this year’s Representative Assembly, delegates voted to uphold union values centering on democracy, solidarity and action, values that were — not coincidentally — also the theme of this year’s convention.
Nearly 2,000 delegates met in Albany May 1–2 to vote on the union’s leadership and to consider timely resolutions on immigration, recess and play-based learning, artificial intelligence, certification and licensure, student teaching, civics and other issues critical to educators and professionals.
The College and University Committee grappled with federal assaults on higher education and the incursion of AI companies into public education. “Higher education presents a threat to authoritarianism,” said Frederick Kowal, president of United University Professions, who rose in support of the Defending the Integrity of Higher Education Against Authoritarian Assaults resolution.
The resolution, which delegates passed, will support legislation, litigation and locals who are engaged in defending higher education.
Addressing Excessive Screen Time, Strengthening Play-Based Learning, and Supporting Early Childhood Foundations for NY Inspires and the Portrait of a Graduate, a resolution that promotes play-based learning and advocates for limited screen time in learning environments, and Protect Play and Experiential Learning During the School Day, which protects unstructured play and experiential learning, are both supported by child development research and aligned with state standards; both passed handily.
Delegates unanimously supported both measures. In total, 20 resolutions were adopted at the union’s annual policymaking convention. Delegates voted to support immigrants and their families, green and healthy schools, and to oppose charter schools and privatization schemes.
Delegates passed a measure that supports mentorship and professional development opportunities for Career and Technical Education teachers, to reinforce the growing demand. “The resolution will be especially helpful for second-career professionals, who have a high level of trade experience but don’t always have classroom management experience or familiarity with requisite paperwork to thrive in classrooms,” said Donna Walters of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association.
The Civil and Human Rights Committee introduced a raft of resolutions focused on the defense of immigrant students and members against detention and deportation, which passed to thunderous applause.
“We need to protect our immigrant communities, and we need to put it in writing,” said Katherine Kurjakovic, United Federation of Teachers.
Unionists also stood strongly behind several green and healthy schools resolutions.
As charter schools continue to pop up across the state, draining resources from public schools, delegates also considered resolutions that called for greater regulation of charters and vouchers.
Nicole Brown, president of the Hempstead Classroom TA, shared that her district has been one of the most impacted in the delegation, to the detriment of students and taxpayers alike. “Over $100 million from one little school district on Long Island is going to charter schools,” Brown said. “This is unacceptable.” The charter school system is straining district finances, despite the clear opposition of the communities they serve.
Vouchers have also been proven to be detrimental to communities, with research showing that they are disproportionately used by wealthy individuals whose children already attend private schools.
“Vouchers only continue to make the rich richer,” said Matt Haynes, Tri Valley TA. Both resolutions passed.
Delegates approved a measure that calls for districts to reimburse the costs for maintaining licensure for Medicaid-reimbursed services.
A resolution referencing the ongoing opioid overdose scourge sought to make Narcan and related training accessible to classroom teachers; the measure passed. Jeff Orlowski, Kenmore TA, shared a moving story about a student whose death was averted thanks to his quick thinking and the availability of Narcan. “Today, she’s alive and well,” Orlowski said. “We need to have this in our schools. We have AEDs. We need Narcan, too.”
Delegates spoke out in favor of and approved a measure to revise the New York state electric bus mandate timeline, making clear they support the transition to renewable energy, but that districts need more time and support to meet the requirements of the mandate.
Delegates highlighted the key challenges districts face with the mandate, including high cost of electric buses, capacity of the power grid to support the transition, and efficiency of the vehicles, especially in rural and hilly areas, and during cold weather.
Labor leaders rose to speak about the importance of preventing the privatization of public services. The proposal is consistent with other positions NYSUT has staked out on charter schools and social security. “I really think these are already NYSUT policies, but I could be wrong,” said Joan Perrini, president of Retiree Council 21.
Syracuse TA President Nicole Capsello said the matter should be referred to the Board to confirm that no NYSUT members, which include private sector employees, are adversely impacted by it, and delegates voted in accordance.
Seen at the RA
