Dialing for respect, contracts

April 7, 2005

From left, Leslie Stein, Spencerport TA; Beverly Engel, West Irondequoit TA; and Joe Pesavento, Marlboro FA, test phones while Ron Simon, New Paltz United Teachers, waits his turn.

Having just settled a new four-year contract for members of Spencerport TA, Leslie Stein knew just what she wanted to tell the Bloomberg administration in New York City.

"It's the utmost in disrespect to make people work for years without a contract," said Stein. "Of course, we're professional and we do our jobs for our students and everyone we work with, but it's dehumanizing."

Stein was among a number of local presidents who used a NYSUT "311" calling center in a trial run 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 fair contracts. Those without a contract include the United Federation of Teachers (led by Randi Weingarten), Professional Staff Congress (led by Barbara Bowen) and the United College Employees of the Fashion Institute of Technology (led by Juliette Romano).

You can help! The calling center will be open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. It is on the second floor promenade.