NYSUT solidarity power on display in East Meadow
The Sayville local from Suffolk County was among dozens of NYSUT locals rallying to support their colleagues.
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Annette Brown, Caroline Dodd and Sue Amato from the Amityville TA show their support. |
Nearly 2,000 NYSUT members from across Long Island and New York City joined the embattled East Meadow Teachers Association to send a powerful message to the district school board: This union won't bust.
EMTA has been working without a contract for almost three years. The union's teachers and School-Related Professionals are coping with a hard-line administration.
- Related story: East Meadow: Anatomy of an anti-union administration
The urgency of the situation was not lost on Long Island local leaders. Several NYSUT Board members hatched the idea to organize a rally that would coincide with a planned school board meeting, working with other Long Island leaders and EMTA President John Gallagher to plan the March 29 event. It drew twice the participants they had hoped for.
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East Meadow TA President John Gallagher is interviewed by a TV news crew. |
In an attempt to disrupt the event, the board of education canceled its meeting. Rally participants were undeterred. They marched down a main street in East Meadow, receiving honks of support from passing cars as they carried signs and displayed buttons with the message, "We ARE East Meadow - We ARE NYSUT."
EMTA's teachers and SRPs, particularly the veterans, are among the lowest paid in Nassau County, even though the district is sitting on a surplus projected to grow to $47 million by the end of the school year. The administration seems more intent on breaking the union, using tactics such as retaliating with disciplinary measures against union leaders.
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Erin and Robert Connolly, members of the Three Village TA, bring son Ryan to the march. |
"The teachers and SRPs of East Meadow have the full support of their union brothers and sisters as they fight for the salaries, benefits and working conditions they deserve," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, who joined the march. "The impact of this event must now bring a sense of urgency to the talks so that a fair contract results."
- Kevin Hart
Rally videos on YouTube
Unionists and community members are using the latest technology to show their support for EMTA. East Meadow resident and Jericho teacher Mike Pekor posted a statement of support called "The value of a teacher" on Web video portal YouTube. YouTube also contains several videos of the March rally posted by members from Sayville, Port Jefferson, North Babylon, United University Professions, Deer Park, Mineola, Bellport, Lindenhurst, Brentwood and other locals.
Just search for "East Meadow" at www.youtube.com.
Related article
East Meadow: Anatomy of an anti-union administration
What union support means to East Meadow
The following letter to the editor came to New York Teacher a day after the March 29 rally in East Meadow.
I was overwhelmed with emotion upon arriving at the Salisbury Center on March 29, where an East Meadow Public Schools school board meeting was supposed to have taken place (the meeting was inexplicably canceled, according to a News 12 LI report). Hundreds of teachers from all over Long Island and New York City were there in support of the East Meadow Teachers Association, of which I am a proud member.
My first reaction was to say thank-you to each and every one who gave up an evening of their time to support my fellow EMTA members and me; however, I was so choked up with emotion I initially had trouble getting the words out.
What a wonderful show of solidarity! The experience served as a battle cry to all on Long Island who realize that unfair, protracted negotiations in one school district can affect all school districts - and we will stand together in unity. My resolve to get a fair contract grew even stronger after this experience - I will also find time to support my fellow NYSUT colleagues who find themselves in similar situations.
On behalf of my fellow EMTA members, we extend our utmost appreciation to all who came to offer their support, and of course all who support us in spirit!
Larry D'Angelo, Teacher
East Meadow Public Schools