By DEB ESCOBAR August 1 2017
The life of union activist Josephine Sano can be inspiring for all of us. She never waivered from supporting and defending union causes and worker rights. If you would like to "live a day as a tiger," there are important actions you can take right now.
One of the most critical areas that RC 10 members can help is in getting the information out about how critical it is to "VOTE NO" on November 7 on the referendum for a New York State Constitutional Convention. A State Constitutional Convention would be an expensive "politicians' convention" that could waste hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Opening the door to a rewrite of our constitution could threaten our safeguards for environment, destroy our public schools, weaken our pensions which are now safeguarded from political machinations, and damage workers' rights like collective bargaining. For more information on this issue, see http://rc10.ny.aft.org/news/members-urged-vote-no-nys-constitutional-convention and be sure to sign up for and attend our RC 10 October Fall Luncheon which will focus on the issue. See http://rc10.ny.aft.org/news/rc-10-fall-luncheon-focus-ny-constitutional-convention for a registration form.
What can you do? First, share information with family, friends, or colleagues. NYSUT also has postcards that are printed with the names/addresses of retirees and volunteers are needed to write personalized messages to these members to inform them of the perils of a Constitutional Convention. This is a very easy action - you could volunteer to write out just a postcard or two every day, and each card sent would have an impact. To get started, contact Barb McCarthy at irishiz9@aol.com.
Sign up for NYSUT "Mac Text Alerts" by texting the word NYSUT to contact number 38470, or fill out a form at https://mac.nysut.org/. You will receive text alerts on important actions that you can take to strengthen our public schools, safeguard workers' rights, and keep NYSUT a strong and effective union. These actions are critical right now in light of Supreme Court cases coming in the future that may significantly weaken our means of maintaining our membership base and recruiting new members.
Make sure you, as well as those in your household, VOTE in both national/state/local elections as well as school budget/school board elections. There are certainly opportunities to phone bank or canvass for candidates that support your values. You could also help with voter registration drives. Or, you consider running yourself for school board or other local offices. Donations are always needed.
Speaking of donations, give to NYSUT's VOTE/COPE fund in order to strengthen our union, support candidates who advocate for public schools and workers' rights. This is very important! Did you know that VOTE/COPE has existed since the beginning of NYSUT, and has helped us gain important ground in our struggles for rights not only for in-service members, but for retirees as well? The NYSUT Fall Luncheon that will focus on the Constitutional Convention is being in part funded by VOTE/COPE. Every donation, no matter how small, matters.
No less important an issue, is the need to strengthen our community of retirees by creating opportunities for travel that brings us together and allows us to have interesting and joyful experiences. Volunteers are needed for the Travel Committee to sponsor day trips and/or extended trips. See http://rc10.ny.aft.org/travel-social/do-you-love-travel-have-ideas-trips-we-need-you for more information.