Election Day is upon us and the choices we face cannot be more stark. With the candidates that are running on one side, we face politics as usual, where teachers are vilified for pay that, in their view, is too high, a work schedule too short, and a pension and health benefits package that is too generous. Those candidates are aligned with special interests that are anti-teacher and anti-union. Then there is the other side.
The candidates that we support also support us. Members of both parties, these candidates, endorsed by NYSUT, have made a commitment to children, teachers, and their families by supporting a sensible APPR that helps improve learning outcomes, supporting the right of working people to organize into unions, supporting the strengthening of public schools instead of for-profit charter schools.
We, collectively, can have a big win for public education on November 6th. To do it, each of us has to not only vote, but be even more involved in the political process.
The key to success in this election is to help get others out to the pols to vote. We are involved in a number of "Get Out The Vote" efforts and are asking that you get involved to help.
WITA will be hosting phone banks at our home office at Westbrook Elementary School on Monday, October 29th and Tuesday, October 30th from 2pm - 6pm. NYSUT has generously loaned us computers and phones. If you haven't attended a phone bank in awhile, please know that it has evolved quite a bit. We only call other NYSUT members. The calls are generally well received by very enthusiastic and like-minded voters. We will have lots of food and refreshments on hand that day as well.
There will be a Labor Walk on Saturday, October 27th, 9:30 am, for Christine Pellegrino, Lou D'Amaro and Liuba Grechen-Shirley at the Lindenhurst TA Office (692 Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst). This event is coordinated by the NYSUT PAC. Refreshments will be provided.
Please let your building delegates know what events you can attend. Lets change the conversation in Albany. Lets ensure a victory for each candidate that is rooting for our success. Please help us GET OUT THE VOTE!
