Recognizing the union's many different constituencies, delegates on Saturday completed work on an ambitious agenda for NYSUT over the next year.

Delegates to the 37th NYSUT RA supported a resolution urging state lawmakers to help President Obama's efforts to reform the No Child Left Behind Act. They endorsed fair share tax reform - increasing tax rates on the highest earners - as a continuing strategy for solving New York's budget crisis.

Need to be green

NYSUT will encourage local unions to work with their school districts to integrate a "green" curriculum and will lobby lawmakers for legislation to ensure that green practices are incorporated in the construction and renovation of school buildings. The union was also directed to support legislation to provide incentives to local school districts that integrate alternative energy solutions into building and grounds operations.

Medicare changes

Delegates called for a series of changes to the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act, including elimination of co-pays or deductibles for Part B covered preventive services.

Delegate Judith Schultz of Retiree Council 12, a retired member of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, underscored the importance of a resolution delegates approved that calls on NYSUT to work with its national affiliates to assure that employers use any Part D prescription drug rebates they receive to protect retiree benefits.

"Districts can hide this money or use it for anything," she said.

The union was directed to press for a change in state law that would give needy part-time members the ability to obtain health care under the Family Health Plus Program.

In looking to deal with the ongoing shortage of nurses, delegates called on NYSUT to educate locals on how best to attract and motivate the different age groups that make up the work force.

Safe workplaces

To help ensure continued safe working environments for all members, delegates directed NYSUT to reaffirm its backing of the New York State Occupational Health Clinic network and its safety and health training program, and support increased funding for both.

Noting the important role of school custodians in keeping schools safe and clean, delegates called on the union to work with the State Education Department to formulate custodial staffing standards, and to develop model contract language spelling out proper staffing standards in K-12 schools and higher education facilities.

Delegates recognized beleaguered brothers and sisters in the auto industry, calling on NYSUT to stand with the United Auto Workers in support of its contractual rights and the future of American auto workers "as it struggles to hold the line and try to solve the financial crisis" facing the industry.

BOCES services

They directed NYSUT to seek legislative approval for the state's BOCES to provide educational programs and services to out-of-state school districts, potentially boosting revenue for the state's 37 Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and cutting costs to component school districts.

Recognizing that educators are a "special breed" who give of their time and talents to help their communities, delegates approved a resolution calling for continued recognition by NYSUT of volunteers and their many activities.

Because some professions require more credits for a master's degree than others, delegates approved a resolution calling on NYSUT to support salary schedules that base starting salaries on the level of training a person has received, rather than simply recognizing the degree attained.

Delegates also directed NYSUT to:

• lobby for legislation providing that teachers with at least 20 years in a district be guaranteed retiree health care coverage at no greater cost than they paid while in service;
• urge all locals to support formation of retiree chapters; and
• consider creation of a task force to look into the increased use by school districts of third-party firms to administer 403(b) accounts.

Delegates passed 48 resolutions, five special orders of business and two constitutional amendments over the three days of the RA.

For a full report, see the April 23 issue of New York Teacher.