Dialing for a fair contract

March 28, 2005

Gotham's administration will find out in early April that union members are just a phone call away when NYSUT stages a virtual rally.

To show solidarity with those working in New York City without contracts, NYSUT is sponsoring a "311" calling center to send the Bloomberg administration the message that it hurts the rest of the state when workers in the state's largest city don't have a fair contract. It will be open from noon to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday April 8, at the 2nd floor promenade.

"We want members to make the phones ring off the hook for the city mayor and Department of Education," said NYSUT President Tom Hobart. "Tell them as an educator, health care person and/or visitor to New York City, you are appalled at the lack of a contract for our brothers and sisters with the United Federation of Teachers, Professional Staff Congress and the United College Employees of the Fashion Institute of Technology."

Lines will ring directly to city hall and the message will be short and succinct. There will be a variety of messages to send so stop by frequently. Unions without a contract include the United Federation of Teachers, led by Randi Weingarten, which is in its 22nd month working without a contract; PSC, led by Barbara Bowen; and UCE at FIT, led by Juliette Romano, which are both over two years without a contract.