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| NYSUT welcomes affiliation of Buffalo Teachers Federation Sept. 20, 2006 ALBANY, N.Y. September 20, 2006 – New York State United Teachers today welcomed the affiliation of the Buffalo Teachers Federation and said it would immediately begin working with the BTF leadership in its struggle with the city's Financial Control Board for a fair contract. "NYSUT is ready to partner with BTF President Phil Rumore," said Iannuzzi. "We're rolling up our sleeves. We're ready to get to work on behalf of the great teachers and paraprofessionals who are working hard every day to make Buffalo's schools work. "The BTF joins more than 20,000 other NYSUT members in western New York who use their collective strength to do what's right for children, for public schools and for the communities they serve," Iannuzzi added. Iannuzzi said NYSUT and the 3,700-member BTF, as part of one strong statewide union with 575,000 members, would also work toward full funding of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision and for the resources that Buffalo's teachers and students need to continue to raise test scores and meet tougher Regents requirements. In addition, Iannuzzi said NYSUT and the BTF would join forces to oppose education tax credits (vouchers) and other proposals that would drain precious resources from the city schools. "Together, we'll make sure the governor and Legislature understand that public education is the most important investment that this state can make in Buffalo and all across New York," Iannuzzi said. "We'll make sure every public school classroom in Buffalo is a haven of opportunity and hope for Buffalo's children." The vote by the BTF's Council of Delegates formally affiliates the BTF and NYSUT. The BTF joins other local unions that had been part of the 35,000-member National Education Association of New York. The two education unions formally unified on Sept. 1 and became one statewide union that is the largest in New York state. The official signing culminated more than a decade of discussions between the NYSUT and NEA/NY and created a union of professionals unprecedented in scope and dedicated to education, health care and public service. NYSUT represents 575,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO. -30- |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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