ALBANY, N.Y. March 12, 2015 — New York State United Teachers today released the following statement in reaction to state Supreme Court Justice Philip G. Minardo’s ruling denying the union’s motion to dismiss a legal attack on tenure:
“Tenure is an essential safeguard that ensures good teachers can advocate for what their students need, and to work as professionals without fear of unfair firing – a basic due process right.
“Today’s decision, while disappointing, is not unexpected. In a motion to dismiss, the judge must assume all the facts are true. Unfortunately, we know the plaintiffs put before Justice Minardo inaccurate and out-of-date information when accurate and current information about the streamlined teacher disciplinary process was already in the public realm and easily obtainable. NYSUT anticipates taking this meritless attack on fairness and due process to the appellate division immediately.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.