Thursday, March 25, 2004.

Recognizing the 93rd anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire where 146 workers died, Denis Hughes encouraged NYSUT members to keep fighting the good fight.

"Every victory we have, everything we do is subject to change," said Hughes, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, who brought greetings to delegates on behalf of his federation. "Every goal is subject to reversal."

Hughes noted that though unionists have made great gains over the years, they are still fighting the same fights - and must keep up the effort.

"Then we struggled to preserve public education just as you are doing today. In the 30's we struggled to preserve the right to organize, just as we are today," Hughes said, adding that union members are still fighting for a fair tax system. "We would not be able to fight if it wasn't for your resolve. Thank you for the work you do."