Sisters and Brothers 24 MAR 17
I personally support the Stronger Together slate for NYSUT leadership offices and I encourage fellow delegates to join with me as we turn toward the future of NYSUT. Michael, Bianca, Megan and Nate are the real deal when it comes to what NYSUT members want from their leadership, indeed the Stronger Together slate has consistently exhibited a tireless advocacy that models a transformational grassroots vision for NYSUT - a vision that will strengthen and empower all locals (small and large) with a refreshing pledge of dedication and inclusiveness to every member they will serve.
To be sure, NYSUT has a rich and powerful history that maintained a balance among its numerous and diverse locals. It also has a long history of electing officers who have the capacity and willingness listen to the voices of its members, and to include those voices in crafting policy decisions. Today, regretfully, that balance and receptive ear are in peril within our storied Union. Today, New York teachers clamor for unity and solidarity and they are turning toward the steel spined leadership of the Stronger Together slate while they turn away from the top-down, here today - gone tomorrow, weak kneed shenanigans responsible for ousting two of our duly elected Presidents & so many other officers over the past three years.
Sisters and Brothers, understanding our past is crucial, in The Tempest, Shakespeare wrote “Whereof what’s past is Prologue” to that I simply urge you to seize upon this moment while the script is in your hands, and vote for bold, new, stable and trustworthy leadership for NYSUT’s members. The future of our profession depends on delegates voting for change, voting for the transformational leadership offered by the Stronger Together slate and rejecting and resisting the quiet appeasement offered by the opposition.
While Public Education in New York has endured both a protracted and brutal attack, the incumbent candidates have done little to blunt or even counter these assaults. If re-elected, the Unity Slate’s ineffective, hollow record of missed opportunities promises little more than continued appeasement, flaccid deflections and stinging legislative defeats that will lead to a deeper destabilization of our craft and profession. Under Unity:
Michael, Bianca, Megan and Nate have the experience, temperament and character to lead NYSUT in a new direction, one that will boldly challenge all of our enemies and make us stronger together - each of them have earned my respect and I am certain they will earn yours.
In Unity and Solidarity,
Kevin M. Gibson - Father, Classroom Teacher & Secretary - Buffalo Teachers Federation
I personally support the Stronger Together slate for NYSUT leadership offices and I encourage fellow delegates to join with me as we turn toward the future of NYSUT. Michael, Bianca, Megan and Nate are the real deal when it comes to what NYSUT members want from their leadership, indeed the Stronger Together slate has consistently exhibited a tireless advocacy that models a transformational grassroots vision for NYSUT - a vision that will strengthen and empower all locals (small and large) with a refreshing pledge of dedication and inclusiveness to every member they will serve.
To be sure, NYSUT has a rich and powerful history that maintained a balance among its numerous and diverse locals. It also has a long history of electing officers who have the capacity and willingness listen to the voices of its members, and to include those voices in crafting policy decisions. Today, regretfully, that balance and receptive ear are in peril within our storied Union. Today, New York teachers clamor for unity and solidarity and they are turning toward the steel spined leadership of the Stronger Together slate while they turn away from the top-down, here today - gone tomorrow, weak kneed shenanigans responsible for ousting two of our duly elected Presidents & so many other officers over the past three years.
Sisters and Brothers, understanding our past is crucial, in The Tempest, Shakespeare wrote “Whereof what’s past is Prologue” to that I simply urge you to seize upon this moment while the script is in your hands, and vote for bold, new, stable and trustworthy leadership for NYSUT’s members. The future of our profession depends on delegates voting for change, voting for the transformational leadership offered by the Stronger Together slate and rejecting and resisting the quiet appeasement offered by the opposition.
While Public Education in New York has endured both a protracted and brutal attack, the incumbent candidates have done little to blunt or even counter these assaults. If re-elected, the Unity Slate’s ineffective, hollow record of missed opportunities promises little more than continued appeasement, flaccid deflections and stinging legislative defeats that will lead to a deeper destabilization of our craft and profession. Under Unity:
- We have 3012d - An APPR that is based on voodoo student performance measures. We are worse off and everyone knows it.
- We have a Tax Cap - undemocratic on its face, our public districts are strangled while profiteering privatizing charter operators are rolling in the dough and everyone knows it.
- We have Receivership,Tier V and Tier VI - Our newer members are worse off as they labor in an underfunded system where contracts are ignored and everyone knows it.
- We have financial distress - NYSUT is considering a plan that will reduce essential field services to members to deal with a financial crisis. Everyone knows the incumbents took a raise for themselves in the face of a financial crisis.
- We have an Elephant in the Living Room - While Cuomo’s current budget once again takes aim at the heart of Public Education we are only talking about Betsy DeVos and Republicans while ignoring that Cuomo IS DeVos. He is not a changed man and we must confront all who wish us harm even if that person dictates from the Governor’s Mansion.
Michael, Bianca, Megan and Nate have the experience, temperament and character to lead NYSUT in a new direction, one that will boldly challenge all of our enemies and make us stronger together - each of them have earned my respect and I am certain they will earn yours.
In Unity and Solidarity,
Kevin M. Gibson - Father, Classroom Teacher & Secretary - Buffalo Teachers Federation
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