Staff at the Devereux Foundation's New York Red Hook School say their students are the real winners in their organizing victory to be represented by NYSUT.

"We know we'll have a stonger voice through a union in the decisions that are made for our students, our school and our staff than we've been having individually," said Ron Wood, a special education teacher at the Dutchess County school for more than 10 years. "We have a lot of ideas to offer to provide the best-quality program."

The new 66-member Devereux Staff Association — composed of teachers, teaching assistants and behavioral specialists — voted overwhelmingly in January to join NYSUT and its national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers.

"We enthusiastically welcome our new sisters and brothers," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi. "Their decision to organize is another sign the labor movement remains strong and vital in New York state."

Like many of the nationwide foundation's facilities, the school in Red Hook educates residentially placed children and adolescents who are dually diagnosed with developmental disabilities/mental retardation and psychiatric/behavioral disorders. About 130 students range from 8 to 21 years old at the rural campus, in an area once known for farming but which is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for those who work in New York City.

"We need a union to make sure students get the occupational therapy, the physical therapy, the art, music and special programs they need," said Amanda Lee, a one-to-one teaching assistant who supported the organizing drive.

Mike Rose, who has taught physical education for eight years at the school, agreed.

"It's an enriching and uplifting job to work with kids with a range of abilities and disabilities," Rose said, while noting that the challenges should call for more conversations with the employees.

"We should have a say about maintaining and improving programs. I think if we had that, it would decrease employee turnover and we'd retain high-quality staff," Rose said.

Workers noted that employees currently have little to no input even on simple procedures, like when job descriptions change or how to ask for time off work.

Members of the new local are now looking forward to the collective bargaining process of getting their first contract.

Contact Betsy Sandberg at bsandber@nysutmail.org.