Rite of passage with a bang of the gavel

April 9, 2005

When he became president of the 105,000-member New York State Teachers Association, it was 1971 and Tom Hobart was 34 years old.

On Friday, the NYSUT patriarch formally announced his farewell to a union that now has 525,000 members, and was greeted by a standing ovation. "Mr. NYSUT" has been the union's only president. Every RA has started and finished with the thud of his gavel.

Reflecting on the early days, Hobart recalled the early merging of NYSTA with United Teachers of New York.

"My part in that endeavor remains as my greatest achievement," he said.

"It was probably easier to put the merger in place than it was to deliver on the great promise and potential of that new union ... Local leaders who came forward during that period personified the courage and tenacity of union leaders in earlier times," he said. "While we did not have to fight the corporate goons or thugs with their brickbats that were prevalent in the private-sector industries, our leaders did have to face the threat of being jailed if they stood up for their members' rights by taking the ultimate step of defying a court injunction."

Jailbirds

At the union's headquarters, NYSUT has an honor roll of 84 leaders who served jail time for leading or supporting their locals on strike.

"They served time to earn time on NYSUT's honor roll," Hobart said.

He said it was "somewhat sobering" to note that most of the delegates to this year's convention were not even out of high school in 1969 when he was elected vice president of NYSTA.

"We have recognized the need to provide opportunity for newer members and leaders more reflective of our membership. So, NYSUT has initiated and developed programs to accomplish this, he said.

In passing on his leadership role, Hobart pointed out concerns that need to be diligently tended.

"I cannot overcome my need to share with you my concern about our great, but divided, country ... Just as the Supreme Court is divided, any small shift in voters will make terrific changes in our country. You and your new leaders have an awesome task before you. I wish you well, and I am certain this union will be part of leading the way to a better America."

Pride

"We can take great collective pride in all that we have accomplished at the bargaining table. Our contracts have great protections and benefits but they do not provide any more than we are entitled to for the service we rendered," Hobart said. Higher ed members who have been without contracts need to be given the respect and contracts they deserve, he said, and if NYSUT health-care institutions are going to provide adequate care, then staffing levels and salaries need to be increased.

"I have one last challenge to put before you," he said. "Change is about to come. I ask you to accept it, be part of making it a success ... If you demand not just success, but absolute perfection, there is little chance that (new leaders) can meet that expectation."

The union's success depends on members working phone banks, giving to VOTE-COPE, going to rallies, voting for school budgets, calling the State Education Department and sending faxes, because "your voice must continue to be heard and your solidarity demonstrated."

Hobart closed by saying how being president of NYSUT changed his life, and thanked members for that opportunity. He thanked his "early and often" supporters; labor and civil leaders whom he learned from, especially Al Shanker; and his family, including his wife, Dorothy.

As president, Hobart has traveled to 41 countries and served at labor meetings, educational conferences, community boards and international human rights organizations.

"I was in these situations because NYSUT is one of the most respected organizations in our great nation, dedication to the defense of human rights and democratic principles, with a great tradition of reaching out to help those in need," Hobart said.