The NYSUT teachers local in Farmingdale, Suffolk County, recently recognized its 40th anniversary of advocacy for members and community with a celebration attended by more than 200 educators and supporters.

The Farmingdale Federation of Teachers was one of the first local unions in the state to win a contract.

To celebrate, the current FFT president, Claire Zatorski, invited all the former local presidents to attend the anniversary celebration — five of the six were able to attend.
She asked each to speak about an aspect of unionism they saw during their time as leader.

"So many people deserve to be recognized for the work they did, for the steps they took, when often those steps were risks — ones they made for the greater good," Zatorski said. "By celebrating those moments, we educate our newest members to understand they are part of something important."

The 565-member local maintains deep ties in the community, giving $7,000 in annual scholarships, publishing a community newsletter highlighting members and students, maintaining a strong relationship with PTAs and sustaining an ongoing commitment to community events, such as the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Zatorski said her new members now understand "that they themselves will become the history for future generations of Farmingdale teachers."