NEA/NY delegates voted resoundingly April 29 to unify with New York State United Teachers in a historic decision that sets the stage for NYSUT delegates to vote on unification at the Representative Assembly May 4-6.
A "yes" vote by both unions would create a single statewide voice on behalf of working families and education professionals from pre-K through post-grad, and health care professionals as well.
With a record number of National Education Association of New York delegates participating, NEA/NY voted for unification by a significant margin at its convention last week, also held in Rochester.
NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi brought greetings to the delegates after their vote, and paid tribute to NEA/NY's more than "30-year history" of accomplishment. "You will continue to play a part in a new union," he pledged. "Issues that are important to you are important to us," stressed Iannuzzi, who also noted the importance of retirees as "the backbone of the union movement."
NEA/NY President Robin Rapaport called the vote a continuation of a process launched last year when delegates voted on general principles of unification. "We have everything in common with our NYSUT brothers and sisters - far more than ever divided us," he said.
Momentum and enthusiasm in the packed hall were overwhelmingly on the side of unification. "The time for debate is over. The time for action is here. The time to join together is upon us," Joe Dushko of Sherburne-Earlville and a member of the NEA-NY board, declared.
NEA/NY Vice President Matt Jacobs of the Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers, said, "Our message will be louder and clearer when we are united and speak as one voice." He urged NEA/NY delegates to "send a clear and unambiguous signal that education employees from every corner of this state speak as one."
A dissenting opinion was expressed by some members of the Buffalo Teachers Federation. BTF President Philip Rumore said the concept that bigger is better "bothers me." He also stressed being "proud of what NEA/NY has done" and respecting its legacy of accomplishments.
After the vote, Rapaport issued a clarion call to those unable "to vote on the prevailing side," extending an olive branch and urging them: "Make the decision to be part of the family that we are about to form."
If the proposal on unification is approved, the two unions would become one in September.