It's What We Do is a place for dedicated professionals of New York State United Teachers to share their stories so that there's a deeper understanding of how what happens in classrooms, on college campuses, and in hospitals enhances the quality of life in New York state.
What's New
NYSUT United Our hearts and prayers go out to the many union colleagues and their families who were affected by the tornado in Oklahoma. And we are proud of the brave teachers…
NYSUT United Vote YES for your school budget - TODAY. "There's no other choice but to vote for these budgets, even with the cuts, because if budgets don't pass, there can be…
Vote on school budgets today!
My school district’s proposed budget only increases .74 percent but, because the tax levy is going up 5.4 percent, 60 percent of voters need to approve it today for it…
Heartache for Oklahoma (Updated)
At 11:34 a.m. Check this link from the AFL-CIO on disaster relief efforts. Horrifying news last night about the tornado that devastated a suburb of Oklahoma City, killing more than…
Heartache for Oklahoma
Horrifying news last night about the tornado that devastated a suburb of Oklahoma City, killing more than 50 people including scores of school children. If you have relatives or friends…
NYSUT United "Communities must take back their schools." "People need to effect change. One way to do that is to attend a rally on Saturday, June 8, in Albany. It's being sponsored by…
NYSUT United Need another reason to attend the June 8th One Voice United Rally in Albany? "As school districts across the country rush to draw up tests and lesson plans that conform…
NYSUT United Three weeks from today we will stand united and say with one voice: Enough is enough! Make your plans now to be in Albany on June 8.
NYSUT United A people united will never be divided. Make your voices heard at the June 8th One Voice United rally!
Feel Good Friday: Vote May 21
You hold the future of hundreds of thousands of students across our state. On Tuesday, you get to say whether their school budgets should pass or fail. In so many…
NYSUT United VOTE YES ON MAY 21! Vote yes on your school budget and make the difference! Share this poster to encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to vote yes, too!
School boards agree: Put the brakes on high-stakes testing (Updated 2x)
School boards across the state are passing resolutions asking the State Education Department to ease its reliance on standardized test scores in making decisions ranging from student placement to school accountability…
School boards agree: Put the brakes on high-stakes testing
School boards across the state are passing resolutions asking the State Education Department to ease its reliance on standardized test scores in making decisions ranging from student placement to school accountability…
NYSUT United Lansing principal quits the 'rat race' - cites cutbacks, mandates in resigning, effective Aug. 1
They will be there!
Members from the Yorktown Congress of Teachers recently received the gift of a chocolate bar from their local union. Here’s a photo of the front of a special wrapper for…
Parent perspective: It’s just a test – even in Illinois
As we’ve heard from AFT President Randi Weingarten, the implementation of the Common Core Standards and the use of high-stakes tests to make high-stakes decisions about students and teachers isn’t…
NYSUT United Looking for a way to spread the word about the Once Voice United rally for public education on June 8th? Printable fliers and online resources available here:
May 21 matters: One week to go until school budget votes
It’s now one week before most school districts submit their annual budgets to voters. NYSUT United brought you the news more than two weeks ago that fewer districts are trying…
Another apple; another story
This time of year the apple trees are stunning. Delicate, paper-like pink flowers crown the crooked branches in a halo of soft color. Once the blossoms drop, it is time…
NYSUT United Interested in attending the June 8 rally in Albany, but have questions? Check out our rally FAQs - or ask your question here and we will get you an answer!
Sherburne-Earlville TA stands against high-stakes testing
Jennifer Moore, president of the Sherburne-Earlville TA, notes her members got national attention for their stance against high-stakes testing last week. “I’ve received a number of emails from all across…
NYSUT United The Haverling Testers', er, Teachers Association wore blue yesterday in solidarity during a National Day of Action to support the proper implementation of Common Core Standards.
So here’s the number 6.8.13 … March with us maybe?
Perhaps Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” song is one of the most parodied. Here’s another, thanks to Peter DeWitt, a principal in the Averill Park school district, and the…
Fight Back Friday: Recap of anti-testing, solidarity events this week
Across the state, NYSUT locals are taking action against high-stakes tests. In rural Sherburne-Earlville, teachers wore their maroon local union shirts on Tuesday that had the message: “I care more…
NYSUT United March With Us, Maybe? "The kids are stressed out, going crazy. So here's our number. March with us, maybe?" This video was produced by members of the Averill Park Teachers Association and…
NYSUT United Everything you need to know about the June 8th One Voice United Rally - all in one place!
NYSUT United NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue and NYSUT staffers wear blue in support of Thursday's national day of action calling for the proper implementation of Common Core.
NYSUT United Everything you need to know about the June 8th Once Voice United Rally - all in one place!
What’s next? Cafeteria quizzes?
What if students have to pass a quiz if they want to have lunch? Canandaigua students in Ontario County think that the testing situation in New York has almost become this…
NYSUT United The AFT - one of NYSUT's national affiliates - is calling for a national day of action on the Common Core for tomorrow, and NYSUT is enthusiastically on board. To…
Voices
So you think you can teach?
March 14, 2013
“People think that because they like to cook, they should open their own place.” Last night, the manager of a new restaurant in our neighborhood described the reality of that business: working fourteen hour days, seven days a week, creating ambiance, cultivating a loyal following, serving consistently good and varied food. “...
J. Jill Rito
November 30, 2012
Global Days of Listening Like their teachers, students are constantly absorbing information from news sources, locally and globally. But what if they were able to connect directly with other youth in countries always in the headlines — and talk with them one-on-one — all without media bias, hype or spin and with the ability...
Join In
NYSUT is classroom teachers, college and university faculty and professional staff, school bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, teacher assistants and aides, nurses and health care technicians, and we need you to share your story.
"Labor is not fighting for a larger slice of the national pie - labor is fighting for a larger pie." - Walter Philip Reuther, American labor union leader
If a man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. –President Abraham Lincoln
"Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
In 1943, the Fair Labor Standards Act was enacted establishing a 40-hour work week, time-and-a-half rules, a national minimum wage and implementing severe restrictions on child labor.
In 1967, the Taylor Law passed by the New York state legislature providing collective bargaining rights to public employees.
In 1981, NYSUT won passage of a law granting collective bargaining rights for substitute teachers.
In 1982, the New York state legislature passed the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law requiring school districts to honor a union's entire contract until a new agreement was reached.
"The labor movement was the principle force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress." -- Martin Luther King Jr.
The Equal Pay Act prohibits sex-based wage discrimination. The result: women's earnings climbed from 62 percent of men's earnings in 1970, to 80 percent of men’s earnings in 2004.
The Equal Pay Act prohibits sex-based wage discrimination. The result: women's earnings climbed from 62 percent of men's earnings in 1970, to 80 percent of men’s earnings in 2004.
