ITHACA, N.Y. Sept. 18, 2007 - The substitute teachers in the Ithaca City School District today voted 123-9 to join the New York State United Teachers, which has more than 585,000 members across New York. The substitute teachers started organizing last spring in anticipation of the vote.

"This is an important step for the Ithaca school community," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "These teachers will now have the ability to bargain for the rights and benefits they deserve as professional educators. Substitute teachers play a key role in helping students learn and in keeping schools running smoothly."

Ithaca has many long-time substitute teachers who have dedicated themselves to the city's schools.

"Now they will have a voice on the job and in their union," said Iannuzzi. "I look forward to these 300 new members joining the NYSUT family."

The local union will elect its first officers at a meeting in Ithaca on October 3. The process to formulate a bargaining team will begin after that meeting.

The election was conducted by the state Public Employment Relations Board. Neither party is disputing the election results.

NYSUT represents more than 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

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