We believed in 2014 the Revive NYSUT slate running against NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi would be detrimental to our union as a whole and they have proven it to be true. The Unity Caucus will only continue this divide. Then and now Andy Pallotta has been self serving and will continue to cause a divide within NYSUT. The Revive slate did not have the best interest of the rank and file members of NYSUT and neither does Unity Caucus. They serve the state politicians. They have back room meetings to hash out deals beneficial to them and their cronies in UFT, particularly Michael Mulgrew. Karen Magee and Revive never went after Cuomo's anti-educational policies. Compliance is agreement. Failure to withdraw political support is agreement. The current NYSUT leadership did not start endorsing the opt-out movement until recently. Even in the most recent state elections they endorsed candidates with anti-educational positions.
ST Caucus has a firm understanding of the issues most state locals are currently facing, and they are on the same side regarding these issues...the tax cap, the opt-out movement, teacher evaluations, receivership, vouchers, and charter schools to name a few. We need Stronger Together to lead the fight to save public education. We need a slate of officers on the same side of the issues. We need officers who will not comply with politicians, but challenge them instead. We need integrity and principle brought back to NYSUT. We need ST Caucus. We pledge our CITA votes to Mike, Bianca, Megan, and Nate, and we encourage all NYSUT delegates to do the same.
In Solidarity,
Michael Romano
President, Central Islip Teachers Association