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Welcome
to NYSUT What Every NYSUT Member Should Know From the Officers This booklet is a reference source for important information about your profession and your union. We welcome any suggestions you may have to improve its contents in future editions. Your union is always at your side. In Solidarity,
Welcome to NYSUT New York State United Teachers is a federation of approximately 1,200 local unions representing more than 575,000 people statewide. NYSUT members serve in a variety of capacities, from K-12 and college educators, service and support personnel (known as School-Related Professionals), to health care professionals and municipal and county professionals. They belong to local affiliates ranging in size from the 140,000-member United Federation of Teachers in New York City to locals of fewer than 10 members. About 90 percent of the teachers in New York's public elementary and secondary schools are members of NYSUT, along with many other K-12 school employees, including teacher aides and teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, food service personnel, health professionals, nurses, security personnel, occupational therapists and physical therapists. NYSUT also represents private school employees. The faculty and professional staffs of the State University, City University and many community colleges and private colleges are members, as are thousands of nurses, psychologists and other professionals in health care facilities and other governmental agencies. When NYSUT members retire, they enjoy lifetime membership in both NYSUT and our national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This book provides new members with an overview of NYSUT. While much of the information relates to issues of concern primarily to K-12 members, information of particular interest to other constituencies is included, as well. Governance NYSUT's growth is based on continued member involvement in all aspects of the organization. Members make their voices heard by electing local delegates who represent them at NYSUT's annual convention, which is called the Representative Assembly, or the RA. The RA is the highest policy making body of NYSUT, with the exception of a membership referendum. NYSUT delegates are elected to one- to three-year terms by secret ballot of your local’s membership. Their terms vary according to local constitutions. These delegates elect the six NYSUT statewide officers and a 68-member Board of Directors to three-year terms. Delegates vote on policy resolutions and amendments to the NYSUT constitution and bylaws that determine the governance and policies of the union. Many delegates represent their locals at labor council meetings and at election district meetings held by NYSUT board members to hear local concerns and inform locals of NYSUT's efforts on their behalf. The NYSUT Board of Directors meets at least quarterly to conduct business between Representative Assemblies. A 21-member executive committee of the board meets monthly. Each NYSUT local elects its own leadership, operates under a local constitution and "owns" its collective bargaining agreement. Committees NYSUT uses special task forces and standing committees to help gather information on timely issues and to initiate policy and position statements for submission to the Board of Directors and RA. In addition to special task forces, certain constituencies of the membership have their own representatives on the board providing input to all board discussions. Health care, retirees and school-related professionals are three major groups that have their own representatives on the board. Some standing committees and task forces are BOCES Statewide Conference Planning, Community Colleges, Financial Review, Higher Education, Occupational Education, Political Action, Retiree Advisory, School-Related Professionals Advisory, Civil & Human Rights, Task Force on Education Policy, Educational Technology, Health & Safety, Special Education and Teacher Centers. In addition, NYSUT has nine subject area committees to recommend positions and directions to the organization in regard to the standards and assessments in K-12 schools. These committees have been invaluable in helping NYSUT provide a professional response to the Regents' initiatives. Staff NYSUT employs more than 450 people at its Albany headquarters and in 16 regional offices around the state to carry out the union's programs and to serve affiliates and members. Every affiliated local is assigned a full-time staff person known as a labor relations specialist (LRS). Affiliations NYSUT is affiliated with, and its members are also members of, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. It is an active participant in the organized labor movement through the state and national AFL-CIO and Education International, a worldwide association of teacher unions. Dues Members pay local, NYSUT and AFT or NEA dues through their locals. Dues provide resources for the unions to serve their members. Each local determines its own dues structure. The Representative Assembly and the NEA and AFT conventions set NYSUT and national dues by a vote of all delegates. NEXT: Constituencies |
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