MVCC Professional Association

The 2007 NYSUT Representative Assembly is now history, but one question remains: Now that all the hoopla, "speechifying," politicking, debating, voting, and celebrating are past, what is its "take home" message?

As is the case every year, there were many words spoken by many individuals about many topics. Some speakers were passionate, some were clever, some were funny, some were inspiring, and some were, of course, at the microphone for what seemed an eternity. Over the two and one-half days of general sessions, much was said that was memorable. Here is a sampling.

The nearly three-day event started with President Dick Ianuzzi stating, "Well, I'm back." He reiterated the comment he made at last year's RA that "the only way I can pay back you walkers and talkers is to do my job to let you do your job." The sense on the convention floor was that he has clearly been doing just that, effectively and tirelessly.

The needs and the challenges are everywhere and time and again, NYSUT has stepped up: Katrina aid, fair trade, election victories, protecting the right to organize, combating mandatory overtime for nurses, protecting pensions, tenure, promotion. The list goes on and on.

"We are NYSUT!" This was a very familiar refrain and fittingly so. RA 2007 was the first since the unification of NYSUT and NEA-NY, which brought NYSUT's membership to well over 500,000 and made it the largest statewide union in the country. The theme of unity was everywhere on display.

Early on, AFT President Ed McElroy welcomed the united NYSUT/NEA-NY delegates and offered congratulations on the results of the 2006 election. He cautioned those assembled that the past election has meaning and significance "only when coupled with specific legislative gains."

Mentioned in his address to delegates were reauthorization of a revised No Child Left Behind (NCLB); passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would protect and facilitate the right to start and join a union; and reversal of the dangerous Kentucky River decision, which states that healthcare providers who serve as charge nurses for a shift are actually managers and therefore not eligible to be union members. There is much work yet to be done and clearly, "We need a friend in the White House in 2008." A "no-brainer" for sure.

These sentiments were echoed by Lily Eskelsen, the Secretary-Treasurer of NEA, who said of the unified NYSUT/NEA-NY that "we are family." In adding humor to her criticism of the major emphasis of NCLB on testing rather than on learning, she said, "If we have to test their butts off, there'll be no behinds left to teach." Talking about the essential involvement of unions in the political process at all levels (national, state, local), she said of elected officials and lawmakers, "We don't care if they like us, we care that they respect us." More than one delegate after her address was heard to voice the opinion that she should become a prominent face and voice for education and educators nationally. Her message was spot-on and clearly a "no-brainer."

Of course, the NYSUT officers and politicians were there in force. Of the officers, it is safe to say that none was greeted more warmly by the assembled delegates than Alan Lubin, who is the architect of NYSUT's political action operation and its Vote-Cope campaign.

Alan thanked the delegates for their efforts and expressed pride in the increase in Vote-Cope contributions (which are entirely voluntary) during the past year and in the number of locals recognized at one of three levels of contribution. But he also indicated that the "news is not all good." More than 200 locals statewide inexplicably do not participate in Vote-Cope at all. Amazing to ponder given the assault on public education and unionism that has been so apparent over the past 6 years.

As for the politicians, the headliners were Hillary Clinton and Governor Spitzer. Hillary has been a consistent and forceful advocate for public education since long before her election to the U.S. Senate. She pointed out that for every dollar invested in preschool education, there is a seven-fold return on that investment. Another "no-brainer" that seems to have been ignored in the past few years.

Her remarks were, as always, right on-target and enthusiastically received. In alluding to the plight of public education, both K-12 and higher ed, she said that it is time to "end the respect shortage" and make teaching as desirable a career as it is important.

She recalled the time when the Russians launched Sputnik and her 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Krause, announced to her class, "the President wants you to learn math and science." She went home that day believing that President Eisenhower had actually called her teacher to make the request.

Education as patriotism! The more you consider the condition and inequities of public education in America today, its infrastructure and personnel needs, and the societal changes of the past quarter century, it is obvious that she was right to state that "it does take a village to raise and teach a child."

As for the Governor, he alluded to what he called a "barbell society" where there are lots of people at the high end of the income ladder and lots at the low end, with a decreasing number in the middle. He said there is only one answer: "Education!" Again, a "no-brainer."

He told a "tale of two societies," a tale of pockets of success intermixed with pockets where success is not to be seen. He talked of a huge $7+ billion increase in investment in education over the next four years to fund universal pre-K, allow smaller class sizes, and increase teacher training. He envisions a system that is on the mend and on the rise and where money is targeted to those areas where it is most needed and can have the most impact. He talked of things that are needed and long overdue. Again, the sounds of a "no-brainer."

There were awards, of course, as there always are for teacher, health professional, student related personnel, and retiree-of-the-year. Following up on feedback from the 2006 RA, this year every effort was made to ensure that they were presented during "primetime," when the convention hall was full and the recognition was maximized.

One recipient of the "Not For Ourselves Alone" Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award (in honor of the late AFT president) said unequivocally that "Every facet of education is union work." Here at MVCC, our president, Ellis Searles, has used similar phrasing, namely that "union work is college work." The second recipient of this prestigious award said, "your union is the salvation of you and your students." Absolutely! Also qualifies as a "no-brainer."

However, none of the individual awards was quite as special to the leadership of the PA as the higher ed member of the year award, which was shared by Ellen Schuler-Mauk, the longtime president of the NYSUT local at Suffolk Community College. The leadership at Suffolk has been incredibly helpful to the PA over many years and has served as a model for all PA political outreach activities. To see Ellen recognized for her visionary leadership was truly gratifying for those in the PA who have worked closely with her over many years. For those who know Ellen, another "no-brainer."

Outside the convention hall there was a never-ending succession of conversations with colleagues and friends (old and new) about conditions on campus, about the political scene, about union organizing, about collective bargaining— about all that is the purview of an active local on any campus or in any school district. Basically, there was network building. And then there was fun. Good food, good friends, good conversation.

Last, the PA was not without its own award recognition. Once again its members' contributions to Vote-Cope exceeded $10 per member per year and merited Abel Blattman Award recognition— the only community college local in the state so honored outside the greater metropolitan New York area. Our Internal Communications Committee again was recognized for best web site (Thanks Norma) and for a news article reporting on last year's RA. Keep in mind that this was in a year when many issues of PAnorama were printed for members only during difficult collective bargaining and was, for obvious reasons, not submitted for award consideration.

When all is said and done, the RA provides a chance for delegates to measure the scope and operations of the PA against that of many other locals that are represented and/or recognized in different ways at the RA. The conclusion: Not only are we NYSUT, we are the PA, the mighty PA, and proud of it!

Thanks. Again.
by Ellis Gage Searles

Like everyone else who has served as PA president before me, I encounter days when the work to be done and the hours available don't come out even, when not even one question seems to have a simple answer.

But those days are far outnumbered by many more that are just plain satisfying, rewarding, and fun.

And the truth is that no matter what day it is, I feel the same way: truly fortunate for the experience.

For that, I have many people to thank.

To begin with, there are those who brought this union into existence long before my time. Then, there are all the members over the years who have shaped and molded the Association into such a solid organization. Alongside, throughout, have stood our many brothers and sisters in the labor movement. The Professional Association is what it is today because of countless individuals, past and present.

Naming them all would be completely impossible. But I feel indebted to each one.

And, now, as I begin another term in office, I want to express thanks.

First, I am grateful to the membership, whose support for the Association throughout the year is positive and unmistakable. As each member stands for election, serves on a committee, takes on a job, offers encouragement, or shares an idea, it makes our union stronger.

And, most especially and most deeply, I appreciate the cheerful, tireless efforts of the PA leaders I have the honor to work closely with, whose time and many talents are so generously given, whose selfless devotion to this organization is a constant inspiration. We would be lost without them.

Every day of every year, good things take place in the Professional Association and because of the Professional Association. I always feel very lucky to be part of it.

Thank you for making it happen.

On the course, at the finish line, at the registration table, and everywhere else, PA current and retired members—more than 20 of them—were part of the 10 th Annual Ted Moore Run/Walk held on campus the morning of May 5.

Held each year in memory of our beloved past president, who lost his life to a drunk driver, the run/walk raises community awareness of the potentially tragic effects of DWI. The Professional Association is a major sponsor of this important event.

This year, the event raised a total of $7, 468 from participants, sponsorships, and donations.

I had the good fortune to attend this state wide lobbying effort as a representative of the MVCC PA on May 7 th and 8 th . I was immediately struck but the fact that we are really, really bad at math. When the NYSUT president addressed us all in the Desmond Hotel conference room, there were over 700 delegates from all over New York State! It was explained to me that when this project first got off the ground a few years back, the name “Committee of 100” was chosen in order to make us appear larger than we actually were. My, how we have grown!

The first thing that hit me when I showed up was that we really are a part of something larger that is quite well organized. The second thing that hit me was that we really do have the ability to effect change when we are mobilized and, forgive the pun, unionized. The third thing that hit me was the door, because I was too busy reading about the post meeting “social hour” (read free food and drink) to watch where I was going. You can all be comforted to know that I represented us well in the eating part. I hope our dues are not affected!

The main thrust of this blitz on Albany was to highlight issues related to retirement benefits. We were sure to also express our concern over the expansion of charter schools without a commensurate expansion in their level of accountability to the public and an increase in their educational standards.

I was moved by a rather simple insight that served to motivate me in spite of the fact that retirement for many of us is still off in the distance a bit. We all hope to be retirees someday. The alternative is not nearly so desirable. We would all like when that day comes to know that our colleagues have not forgotten our contributions over a lifetime and that we are still an important part of the collective. In our meetings, we worked to improve the lives of our retirees who are now counting on us to protect what they have earned over many decades of service. I just asked myself how I would want to be treated when my time comes and presto I was pumped to do the job!

On Tuesday morning, we met with members of the NYS Assembly, RoAnn Destito, Bill Magee, and Dave Townsend, as well as NYS Senator Joe Griffo. We spent about 30 minutes with each legislator and discussed our concerns. For me, it was fun to be there to represent MVCC. This was my third time in Albany this spring and I can see the value in their knowing who we are and what we think. I was impressed with how well coordinated and professional our lobbying effort is. I am comforted to think our dues are being put to good use (except for my over zealous attack on the buffet line!). I will try to do better next time.