Welcome to NYSUT

NYSUT is a federation of approximately 1,350 local unions representing more than 600,000 people statewide. NYSUT members serve in a variety of capacities, including teachers, School-Related Professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care, municipal and county professionals, and retirees. They belong to local affiliates ranging in size from the 200,000-member United Federation of Teachers in New York City to locals of fewer than 10 members. More than 95 percent of the teachers in New York's public elementary and secondary schools are members of NYSUT, along with many other K-12 school employees, including teacher aides and teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, food service personnel, health care professionals, nurses, security personnel, and therapists. NYSUT also represents private school employees.

The academic and professional staffs of the State University, City University and many community colleges and private-sector colleges are members, as are thousands of nurses, psychologists, physicians and other professionals in health care facilities and other governmental agencies. When NYSUT members retire, they enjoy lifetime membership in both NYSUT and one of its national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers. Retirees can join NYSUT's other national affiliate, the National Education Association, for a one-time fee.

This book provides new members with an overview of NYSUT. While much of the information relates to issues of concern to K-12 members, information of interest to other constituencies is included, as well.

Governance

Members make their voices heard by electing local delegates who represent them at NYSUT's annual convention, which is called the NYSUT Representative Assembly, or the NYSUT RA. The NYSUT RA is NYSUT's highest policy-making body, except for a membership referendum.

NYSUT delegates are elected to one- to three-year terms by secret ballot of your local's membership. Their terms vary according to local constitutions. These delegates elect the five NYSUT statewide officers and a 84-member Board of Directors to three-year terms. Delegates vote on policy resolutions and amendments to the NYSUT constitution and bylaws that determine the governance and policies of the union. Many delegates represent their locals at labor council meetings and at election district meetings held by NYSUT board members to hear local concerns and inform locals of NYSUT's efforts on their behalf.

The NYSUT Board of Directors meets at least quarterly to conduct business between RAs. A 21-member executive committee of the Board meets monthly. Each NYSUT local elects its own leadership, operates under a local constitution and "owns" its collective bargaining agreement.

Committees

NYSUT uses special task forces and standing committees to help gather information on timely issues and to initiate policy and position statements for submission to the Board of Directors and RA. In addition to special task forces, certain constituencies of the membership have their own representatives on the Board, providing input to all Board discussions. Health care, retirees, public and private higher education and School-Related Professionals are all groups that have Board representatives.

Among the standing committees and task forces are BOCES Statewide Conference Planning, Community Colleges, Financial Review, Higher Education, Occupational Education, Political Action, Retiree, School-Related Professionals, Small and Rural Locals, Civil & Human Rights, Task Force on Education Policy, Educational Technology, Health & Safety, Special Education, Early Childhood and Teacher Centers. NYSUT also has 11 statewide committees to recommend positions and directions to the organization in regard to the standards and assessments in PreK-12 schools. These committees help NYSUT provide a professional response to Regents' initiatives.

Staff

NYSUT employs more than 500 people at its Albany headquarters and in 16 regional offices to carry out union programs and to serve affiliates and members. Every local is assigned a labor relations specialist.

Affiliations

NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. It is an active participant in the organized labor movement through the state and national AFL-CIO and Education International, a worldwide association of teacher unions. NYSUT partners with several community and human rights groups, and its members work closely with groups such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Special Olympics, United Way and the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition, of which NYSUT is a founding member.

Dues

Members pay local, NYSUT and AFT or NEA dues through their locals. Dues provide resources for the unions to serve members. Each local determines its dues structure, but must include provisions (pass-through) for state and national affiliates. NYSUT RA delegates vote on NYSUT dues, while delegates to the NEA and AFT conventions set national dues.