Benefits and Pay
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Light
This month marks the end of eight years serving proudly as president of our great union. In that time, I’ve been graced to work with leaders who have been part of the union movement for decades. Many would say that it’s the hardest it’s ever been. Though I wasn’t personally around to witness [...]
2019 HHHTA Supported Resolutions
Every year, HHHTA delegates attend NYSUT's RA to hear from leaders in education, labor and politics. As importantly, while there, we give direction to NYSUT through the democratic process. This year, our union is proud to support a number of Resolutions that have come before our Executive Board. We'll be voting for and [...]
Awesome Prizes for Our Top Phone Bank Callers!
With two more phone banks on the horizon, we're raffling off some awesome prizes for our members who make the most calls! 2 Tickets for A Night with Amy Schumer Comedian and activist Amy Schumer is hosting a comedy fundraiser for Liuba Shirley this Sunday evening at the Westbury Theater. For [...]
If they try to strike us down… by Richard Haase
Fifty years ago this month, the Half Hollow Hills Teachers’ Association received its charter from the State Education Department. Starting salary was $6,900 and becoming pregnant could cost you your job. Our contract was a fraction of what it is today, and we spent the next several decades organizing our members to improve teaching conditions, [...]
You’ve Got to Have Faith
Most Sunday mornings, I’m wedged between our two boys for mass at Our Lady of the Snow in Blue Point. In the intervals between reminding them how to sit at church and mediating whose turn it is to put money in the collection basket this week, I try to listen to the week’s message. Although [...]
What the 2016 Elections Will Mean for Us
The last year has revealed some serious challenges we face as a country. Although the year ahead may present glimmers of both fear and hope, depending on your beliefs, we must take very seriously a number of threats on the political horizon that will directly impact us as public educators and union members. It’s critical [...]
Verizon’s Struggles Could be Any of Our Struggles
In 1971, a corporate lawyer named Lewis Powell drafted a memo to the Chamber of Commerce. This memo, known as the Powell Memo, or Powell Manifesto, set forth a blueprint for increasing political and social power of corporations. It has served as a playbook for the last several decades, as companies have followed its advice [...]
The State-Wide Battle Over Waiver Payments
For decades, employees who decline their health insurance have been able, when bargained into a contract, to receive a payment for making that choice. The waiver, which is only a fraction of the value of a policy, itself, saves employers money while offsetting the difference an employee not taking insurance might otherwise find in their [...]
Take Up Arms!
We’ve faced so many challenges in the last few years. Two new tiers were added to our pension system. The Tax Cap has changed how districts create their budgets, jeopardizing jobs and programs across the state. New teacher evaluation laws have coupled teacher and student fate to an obsession over poorly designed tests. Charter schools [...]