www.UNITY-TODAY.com

UNITY: Proven, Experienced Leadership for NYSUT

Unity Caucus stands with every NYSUT member as we work for a better future for all New Yorkers. We’re hopeful about what’s ahead because we’ve seen what happens when educators, healthcare professionals, and public service workers unite for positive change. Together, our work builds the foundation for prosperity, opportunity, and fairness across our great state.

From Vision to Victory

Three years ago, the NYSUT officers promised to build on our union’s victories — creating stronger, safer, and more resilient education systems and workplaces across New York State.

And we delivered.

We united behind a shared vision for the future — one rooted in listening to our members and building power in our communities.

Listening, Learning, and Leading in the Field

One of the hallmarks of our leadership has been our deep commitment to being out in the field — listening, learning, and leading side by side with our members.

Over the past 234 workplace visits, our team has traveled to schools, colleges, and workplaces in every corner of New York.

Our officers have made it a priority to connect directly with members where they work and live — not just in meetings, but in classrooms, cafeterias, bus garages, clinics, and faculty offices.

These visits are the foundation of how we lead.

By hearing directly from educators, school-related professionals, and higher-ed faculty and staff about their challenges and successes, we ensure every decision we make is grounded in the real experiences of the people we represent.

That connection — member to member, story to story — keeps our union strong, responsive, and ready to fight for what matters most.

1️⃣ Creating Workplaces Where Students and Educators Can Thrive

Our members come to work to make a difference — to inspire curiosity, nurture potential, and build stronger communities.

But to do that, they need the right conditions: resources, respect, and safety.

That’s why we’ve fought — and won — major victories to ensure every educator, student, and staff member has what they need to thrive.

Building Safe, Supportive, and Respectful Schools

✅ Phone-Free Schools: Creating distraction-free classrooms where students reconnect with learning — and with one another.

✅ Fixed APPR: Restoring trust and local control to educators and communities.

✅ Foundation Aid: Delivering historic funding so every district can invest where it’s needed most.

✅ Universal School Meals: Because no child should have to learn on an empty stomach.

✅ Updated BOCES & Special Services Funding: Expanding CTE programs in healthcare, manufacturing, and tech fields.

✅ $21.4 Million for Teacher Centers: Strengthening professional growth statewide.

✅ The Power of Play Campaign: Highlighting play as essential to learning and development.

✅ Freedom to Read Act: Keeping book decisions with educators, not ideologues.

✅ AI Loading Act: Ensuring technology supports — not replaces — educators.

✅ Toileting & Dignity Standards: Protecting the safety and respect of students and staff.

✅ Workplace Violence Prevention Expansion: Finally including school employees under statewide safety protections.

✅ Extreme Temperature Standards: Because learning shouldn’t happen in overheated classrooms.

✅ Safe, Welcoming, and Affirming Schools: Standing up against extremist attacks and ensuring all students belong.

“When our students put down their phones, they pick up books — and friendships. These victories aren’t just policy wins. They’re about rebuilding the human connections that make learning possible.”

— Melinda Person, NYSUT President

2️⃣ Ensuring Our Professions Are Enticing, Sustainable Careers

NYSUT members dedicate their lives to public service — shaping futures, healing communities, and lifting up the next generation.

But to keep the best and brightest in these professions, careers in education and healthcare must be sustainable, respected, and rewarding.

Strengthening Career Supports, Pathways and Economic Security

✅ Fixing Tier 6 — and Winning the Biggest Pension Reform in 20 Years: Reduced the Final Average Salary calculation from five years to three — a critical first step toward fairness.

✅ Investing in SUNY & CUNY: Secured major operating and capital funding to rebuild affordability and access in public higher education. Creation of the new SUNY/CUNY Reconnect programs.

✅ Saving SUNY Downstate: Worked with unions and community allies to preserve and revitalize this essential Brooklyn healthcare institution.

✅ Science of Reading Initiative: We’ve launched a statewide effort to support educators with evidence-based literacy instruction — ensuring every child becomes a confident reader and every teacher has the training and resources to make that possible.

✅ Deepening Professional Learning: Through ongoing initiatives of NYSUT’s Education and Learning Trust, we’re ensuring that educators have access to the tools, time, and trust they need to refine their practice and grow in their profession.

✅ MindUP and RISE Initiatives: Expanding programs that promote educator well-being, social-emotional learning, and reflective leadership — because healthy, supported educators create thriving classrooms.

✅ Civil Service Law Reforms: Removed barriers to advancement and improved equity in public service careers.

✅ Stronger Local Contracts: From rural locals to city districts, NYSUT members are winning pay, benefits, and protections that reflect their value.

“When we fight for fair pay, retirement security, and respect, we’re not just standing up for educators and healthcare professionals — we’re protecting the quality and stability of public service for every New Yorker.”

— Melinda Person

3️⃣ Growing NYSUT’s Power

Every win we celebrate begins with member power — the strength we build together in our schools, hospitals, and communities.

Organizing, Mobilizing, and Expanding Our Reach

✅ Over 700,000 Members Strong — and Growing: Relaunched the Member Organizing Institute and expanded one-to-one outreach statewide.

✅ New Units Formed: Growing representation in healthcare, public service, and private sectors.

✅ Common Ground Over Chaos: Fostering civic dialogue and reminding New Yorkers that public schools unite us.

✅ Equal Rights Amendment (Prop 1): Secured historic constitutional protections for equality.

✅ Faculty & Staff Representation: Fighting to guaranteed a seat for faculty or staff on SUNY community college boards.

✅ Winning at the Ballot Box:

97% of school budgets passed
84% of endorsed candidates elected
Hundreds of NYSUT members now serving in public office

Building a Stronger, More Connected Union

From leadership trainings to local listening sessions, Unity is cultivating new leaders and deepening connections among educators, retirees, and rising activists — ensuring NYSUT remains vibrant and ready for the future.

“We build power one conversation at a time — in cafeterias, classrooms, and community halls. Unity means every member has a role to play and a voice that matters.”

— Melinda Person

🚀 Moving Forward Together

Every victory — from fixing unfair policies to defending public education — has one thing in common: we did it together.

Unity Caucus is committed to delivering results for NYSUT members, their families, and their communities — and doing it by listening first, leading with integrity, and lifting each other up.

We’ve also continued to strengthen NYSUT’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equity — expanding the Many Threads, One Fabric initiative to include new opportunities for learning and leadership. Through the Social Justice Academy, BIPOC Pathways, and MoCAA programs, we are building member power to create more just, inclusive schools and communities. These efforts ensure that every member can see themselves reflected in our union’s work and leadership.

The work ahead is big — fixing Tier 6, fighting child poverty, defending public education, and strengthening democracy — but we face it with confidence because we know our unity is our power.

When we fight together, we win together.

When we listen, we lead with purpose.

When we stand united, we build a New York where everyone can thrive.

The Road Ahead

As we move forward, Unity will continue to fight for fairness — in our schools, in our workplaces, and in every community across New York State.

Because fairness is what unites all of our work: fair pay, fair pensions, fair funding, and fair opportunities for every student and worker.

In the months and years ahead, Unity will:

• Fix Tier 6 once and for all, delivering retirement fairness for every member.
  
  

• Ensure one job is enough, so working families can thrive with dignity.
  
  

• Defend public education and democracy, keeping our schools safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all.
  
  

• Stop private school voucher schemes, protecting fairness in funding by keeping public dollars in public schools.
  
  

• Grow our movement, organizing new members and empowering more voices to build a fairer, stronger future for all New Yorkers.

This is our path forward — and it’s powered by you.

📧 Share your ideas: NYSUTUnityCaucus@gmail.com 

“Our unity is our greatest strength — and our story isn’t finished yet. Together, we’re writing the next chapter for NYSUT, for our schools, and for New York.”

— Melinda Person, NYSUT President