Union unfurls VOTE-COPE honor roll

April 12, 2005

Members are not only giving - they're giving more to VOTE-COPE, the union's political action fund.

Last year, voluntary contributions pushed the statewide fund to more than $5.3 million, said NYSUT President Tom Hobart.

The RA paid special tribute to the 27 locals that earned the union's highest award for fundraising efforts for VOTE-COPE. The award is named after the late Al Shanker.

Hobart thanked and introduced the VOTE-COPE coordinators, "the talented team of individuals who hound you all year long."

Other notables cited:

• Statewide, the highest contributing local per member was the East Williston TA, led by David Israel.
• The United Federation of Teachers members contributed the most in total;
• United University Professions representing faculty and professional staff at the State University of New York led the state with a 20 percent increase in contributions.
• The Rochester Teachers Association made it to the "Top 20" locals for total contributions for the first time.
• Retirees, who recently won the right to deduct VOTE-COPE donations from their pensions, were also a large contributor - motivated by recent attacks on Medicare and Social Security.

Here are the Shanker Award winners:

Bay Shore Classroom TA; Brentwood TA; Bronxville TA; Carle Place TA; Carmel TA; Central Islip TA; East Islip TA; East Rockaway TA; East Williston TA; Edgemont TA; Harrison Association of Teachers; Jericho TA; Kenmore TA; Kings Park Classroom TA; Lake Shore Central TA; Lawrence TA; Merrick FA; Mineola TA; Port Jefferson Station TA; Port Washington TA; Riverhead Central FA; Roslyn TA; Sachem Central TA; Sayville TA; Syosset TA; West Hempstead EA and West Valley TA.

For a list of the 97 locals that qualified for the Dan Sanders award or the 292 Abel Blattman award winners, see the convention program or the RA Web site, www.nysut.org/ra2005.