Retiree activists in high gear for election season

he union is hard at work supporting endorsed candidates and retiree activism is leading the way. Political action topped the agenda at the October NYSUT Retiree Contiguous ED 51–53 At-Large meeting in Albany — including a visit from the union’s Common Ground Over Chaos campaign bus.

There’s a lot of work to be done in New York because we are a battleground state for the control of Congress, said Florence McCue, ED 51–53 at-large director. She thanked participants for local phone banking and door knocking efforts. “Legislators know that retirees are out there, and they appreciate it … we influence a lot of legislation by doing that.”

Ron Gross, NYSUT second vice president, also thanked attendees for their activism and discussed the inaugural celebration of Retiree Recognition Day on Oct. 21.

“Our retirees are the founders of our great union and we are forever indebted for their fortitude for laying the foundation that created NYSUT,” said Gross.

Gross also updated retirees on the progress of moving retiree newsletters from a print to digital format.

“We have a goal for that to be completed by September of 2025,” he said, adding “members will still have the option to receive the publications in print if they so desire.”

NYSUT President Melinda Person, Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone and Alan Lubin, NYSUT executive vice president emeritus, saluted retirees for continuing to be the union’s “daytime army.”

Retirees at the meeting also worked on the their planned resolutions to introduce at the 2025 NYSUT Representative Assembly.