www.UNITY-TODAY.com

UNITY: Proven, Experienced Leadership for NYSUT

Unity Caucus stands with each and every NYSUT member as we work for a better future for all New Yorkers. We’re hopeful for the future of NYSUT because we know the impact our members make when we are united for positive change. Our work in education, healthcare, and public service builds a foundation for prosperity and productivity in our great state. We’re proud of all that our members have accomplished, and as the Unity Caucus-endorsed slate, we’ll be ready on Day One to continue pushing forward bold campaigns to win for our members.

As longtime leaders and advocates within NYSUT, we are ready to build on NYSUT’s major victories that have contributed to stronger, safer and more resilient education systems and workplaces. Those achievements include modernizing our member outreach and advocacy programs, winning the new funding formula that will put more than $2.7 billion in additional funds to work in schools across New York in this year alone, and helping elect numerous former educators to the State Senate and Assembly because we know no one understands our needs better than our peers. But there’s so much more to do to achieve our shared goals.

We are united behind the following vision for the future, which has been directly informed by our countless conversations with members and leaders. We’re committed to this spirit of listening first to guide our leadership in the months and years ahead as we continue building power together.

THE UNITY VISION

1: Creating workplaces where students and educators can thrive.

Our members come to work to make a difference, contribute to their communities and, if all goes well, change the world by shaping entire generations. In order to succeed, educators from pre-k to higher ed and support staff all across the board need adequate resources, strong support and a baseline of respect. That means: 

• Improving our working conditions within schools and workplaces

• Ensuring new funding is allocated properly, directed to where it’s most needed

• Securing additional funding at the local, state and federal level for our education systems

• Professional autonomy and respect for educators

• Addressing the overemphasis on high-stakes testing in order to let teachers teach, let students learn, and bring joy back to our classrooms

• Tackling school safety and crisis prevention to address staggering violence

• Always being ready to fight back fiercely against any proposed budget cuts that chip away at our state’s collective future

• Creating safe, welcoming and affirming learning environments for our students

2: Ensuring our members’ professions are enticing, sustainable career choices.

NYSUT members have dedicated their lives to the service of our communities and deserve respect, dignity and economic security in return. New York is experiencing staffing challenges because, for too long, our education and health care systems have fallen short of ensuring that our workforce is well supported. That lack of support has had myriad consequences, including a marked decrease in new entrants to the education and health care fields, a retention crisis and unjust retirement inequity. Reversing-course and fostering a pipeline to and through these careers means: 

• Addressing staffing shortages through immediate and long-term solutions to support our members

• Guaranteeing retirement security by fixing Tier 6, ensuring tier equity, and making careers in public service more accessible and attractive

• Ensuring NYSUT members are backed by strong contracts that include good pay, benefits and protections

3: Growing NYSUT’s power, because the more powerful we are, the more we can win together.

NYSUT’s strength lies within our membership. We are committed to growing the strength and size of NYSUT using both current programs and new tools to expand member outreach and grassroots organizing. We’ll continue to listen to NYSUT members, working hand-in-hand to further adapt to our nation’s rapidly changing labor and education landscapes. Growing our power together means:

• Deepening member engagement and expanding outreach across our 675,000 members, in-service and retired

• Widening the ranks of our union to form new units

• Driving forward the Public Schools Unite Us campaign, because we are part of the solution to our nation’s divisions and fostering civic engagement

• Building on the strong foundation of our political program in every region of our state

• Winning elections that send more NYSUT members and education champions directly into the halls of power

Driving Forward Together

Our vision is an action plan for delivering results for NYSUT members. As we drive forward to achieve results for our members together, we are committed to leadership rooted in listening to you and your needs. In that spirit, we remain open to feedback and input on NYSUT’s priorities. Share your thoughts and questions with us by contacting NYSUTUnityCaucus@gmail.com.