Homer TA contract scores pay raises, maternity leave improvements

Homer Teachers Association members notched a big contract win earlier this year, negotiating long-sought maternity language, new stipends for coaching and advisory positions and healthy salary increases. Local leaders credit strong union solidarity, open communication and a positive labor/management relationship with the achievement.

Celebrating workers’ rights at Labor Day events

"This Labor Day is happening amid a surge of worker-driven activity across our nation. Building on the bravery and tenacity of union siblings who came before them, working people from autoworkers to actors, writers, care workers — and, of course, educators — are seizing their collective power."

'Thoughts on this Labor Day.' By NYSUT President Melinda Person.

"This Labor Day is happening amid a surge of worker-driven activity across our nation. Building on the bravery and tenacity of union siblings who came before them, working people from autoworkers to actors, writers, care workers — and, of course, educators — are seizing their collective power."

Saranac educators and students join forces to honor Veterans

The night before Veterans Day, students and teachers from Saranac Central School District in Northern New York quite literally brought local veterans to tears when they were given — as part of a fundraising effort that ignited the interest and involvement of the entire community — a check totaling $28,500.

Local unions make their own harvest

A group of local unions in the mid-Hudson region are collecting cans and boxes of food to donate to local food pantries in a collective union effort across the Hudson Valley.

Salmon River project builds beds and community bonds

For the Salmon River Teacher Association, manifesting a Build-a-Bed project also built union solidarity. The local donated money for the project, and teachers, school counselors, social workers, nurses and psychologists donated time, skill, labor and bedding.

Thank You to Our Members!

Your sisters and brothers in the statewide union applaud you for working together to stand up to the challenge of COVID-19.

National Nurse Recognition Day is a reminder of the grim year, and a time to honor heroes

“We watched hundreds of strangers die. There was so much loss, so much wrapping of bodies. We were often the last face they saw,” said Nancy Barth-Miller, a Staten Island hospital nurse, reflecting on nursing during the pandemic on National Nurse Recognition Day.

Union nurses take the lead in vaccinating their education colleagues

A team of lead nurses from the Federation of Nurses/UFT has been helping with vaccine rollout during the past month as teachers and school-related professionals in the New York City area get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

With everyone pulling together, these schools reopened safely

While media reports focus on districts that have struggled to safely reopen school buildings, these locals in rural southwestern New York have proven that educators are committed to staying open and doing it right.

'Buddy Project' helps students and their undergrad mentors weather pandemic

The program is helping undergrads access field experience during the pandemic, while also helping younger students adjust and thrive. Tutoring, project boxes, and videos focusing on character development are all in the works.

Teacher’s book deliveries make reading fun

Nearly everyone remembers the thrill of getting new Scholastic books -- and Kerry-Ann Reeves, a fourth grade teacher at Daniel Webster Elementary School in New Rochelle, Westchester County, was determined to keep the excitement going for her students, despite COVID-19 restrictions.