Archive of RC 10 Articles

 

In November, voters will be asked to decide if New York will hold a convention to rewrite our state constitution. This would be a multi-million dollar waste of taxpayer money and would give special interest groups and power brokers the opportunity to change the constitution for their own interests. NYSUT President Andy Pallotta has warned that a Constitutional Convention "could spell complete disaster for New York State's public education system." 

Opening up the constitution for an overhaul could derail vital rights that we have as New Yorkers, including public service pensions, environmental

 

On Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 60 education activists united in Saratoga to tell the SUNY Board of Trustees that all students deserve highly qualified teachers. The protest came about as a result of a proposal to alter teacher certification requirements for charter schools, requiring only 30 hours of hands-on classroom experience, and another 100 hours of observations. Charter schools would be able to design their own training plans for certifying their teachers, a problem considering that profit potential might incentivize shoddy requirements, and that charter schools are well known for

Protesters are urgently needed at a rally on Tuesday, September 12, to uphold the strong qualifications required for teacher certification in New York State. Charter operatives are pushing SUNY's Board of Trustees to accept an easy certification process for charter school teachers. All students deserve a highly qualified teacher. If you can attend this critical rally, please refer to the flyer below. Meet at 4 outside the Embassy Suites Hotel, 86 Congress Street. Organizers request that attendees park on the street or public lots, rather than at the hotel.

http://rc10.ny.aft.org/sites/default

 

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

By DEB ESCOBAR on July 31, 2017

On July 17, 2017, Josephine Sano passed on from this mortal life at the age of 97. A lifelong union activist, her achievements and leadership are an example for all of us and will be remembered long after her death.

Josephine Sano was born in Queens, but moved to Gloversville where she was raised in a home that was instilled with union ideals. Her father was a unionized barber, and her aunt had been a part of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and had worked closely with legendary union leader David Dubinsky.  Surrounded by workers, she learned

  

RC 10 members enjoyed their Regional Conference that was held on May 10, 2017. The event was well-organized and featured four excellent speakers, with a delicious luncheon that allowed for that all-important social time with friends and colleagues that we may not have seen in a while.

The first speaker after the welcome was Elizabeth Pivonka of the Social Security Administration. One member's feedback stated that she was "One of the best speakers ever. Articulate and very knowledgeable." She gave an informative presentation that included answers to those all-important questions like what

 

Do you have interest in travel, and/or enjoy going on RC 10 day trips or extended tours? Do you have great ideas for destinations? If so, the Travel/Social Committee needs you! As you know, the retirees who serve the membership are volunteers. We’re fortunate to have many diligent individuals who give regularly of their talents and time. In the case of our committee, our offerings range from luncheons to one-day outings and from multiple-day outings to exciting foreign travel experiences. As you can imagine, this variety of activities requires many hands-on deck. As is the normal course of

A crucial referendum vote will take place on November 7, 2017 that will ask NY citizens to choose whether there should be a State Constitutional Convention. Proponents of this action say it will be a "People's Convention" that will erase the root constitutional causes of ethics problems, protect and expand rights, and save the state money. These claims do not stand up to examination and rational thought.

The convention would allow citizens to elect delegates to the convention in 2018. The same well-known politician names will be on the ballot and will most likely get elected due to name

Peter Savage, NYSUT Senior Legislative Representative, will be the keynote speaker at the Retiree Council 10 Annual Fall Luncheon on Tuesday, October 10, from 10 am to 1:30 pm, at NYSUT Headquarters, 800 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham. Savage will present information and answer questions about why retirees should vote NO on the State Constitutional Convention referendum that will be on the ballot on November 7. The Constitutional Convention, which would truly be a "politicians' convention," not a "people's convention," would waste millions of tax dollars and put at risk many of our rights that

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In photo from left, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee Jeanne Bush, Saratoga County Scholarship recipient Victoria Breslin, Saratoga County Retiree Honoree Alice Schielke, and Albany County Retiree Honoree Jim Stolis)

On June 1, 2017, RC 10 held their annual spring luncheon and scholarship awards presentation at the Albany Shaker Country Club. The election of officers and delegates was held immediately preceding the luncheon. There was an uncontested ballot of all officers and delegates who were nominated.  Our new slate of officers and delegates will serve until 2020 and