Members of NYSUT's Higher Education Council get the latest from the American Federation of Teachers.
There's no place like the RA for both activism and solidarity. Attendees are encouraged to go to the Political Action Center to send letters to the state Legislature on behalf of higher education concerns for pension equity and unemployment benefits for part-timers.
NYSUT legislative staffer Christopher Black said that, while budget overrides appear to have resolved higher education funding issues, action is still needed in other areas.
The union is supporting an Optional Retirement Plan pension equity bill that would phase in over three years a 3 percent state contribution to higher ed retirement plans. Currently, after 10 years, the state picks up the 3 percent paid by employees in the defined benefit funds for the State Teachers' Retirement System and Employees' Retirement System - but not the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) that is a defined-contribution plan for higher ed members.
"We need to talk to our colleagues in K-12 to let them know ORP is our retirement," said Patricia Bentley, of the UUP Plattsburgh chapter, and a member of the NYSUT Board.
NYSUT is also seeking support for unemployment insurance for part-timers in higher education. Last year, Black said, estimated costs of this were blown out of proportion, and NYSUT worked with UUP and the Professional Staff Congress to disseminate correct information. While unemployment eligibility is still determined on a case-by-case basis, this bill would give an administrative law judge more flexibility in determining eligibility for benefits.
Black credited the work of NYSUT political activism within UUP, PSC, and the community colleges for helping to get legislators to override the governor's vetoes.
Bill Scheuerman, president of UUP, said his union sent out 7,000 letters, held a rally at the Capitol and ran TV ads. PSC joined NYSUT in hosting high-level meetings with legislators. You have until 11 a.m. today to contact your lawmaker to urge higher ed support at the Political Action Center in the Galleria.