Denis Hughes, president of the NYS AFL-CIO, addressed delegates about the challenges and opportunities awaiting union members and educators in the 2008 elections, and saluted NYSUT's political strength as the "best political operation" in the country.

Hughes said, "This year NYSUT has secured victories that many thought were not possible. Your union has secured more money for education than I've seen in any budget."

He praised the fight to defend tenure as a fight for all working people.

"The victory in tenure is representative of the kind of fairness that workers need and deserve in every workplace. Congratulations!"

Urging NYSUT members to be in the forefront of state and national elections, Hughes called for a dramatic shift against what he called "low-wage economic policies that have devastated the middle class."

He drew connections between labor's public fights to demand a living wage with the ability of communities to provide a decent quality of life and good public services, including schools.

He thanked the many NYSUT local unions that participate in area labor federations and central labor councils.