ALBANY, N.Y. November 3, 2010 – New York State United Teachers today congratulated New York’s statewide victors: Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Andrew Cuomo, Eric Schneiderman and Tom DiNapoli, as well as the other Election Day victors from both political parties.
NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi indicated that the 600,000-member union stands ready to work collaboratively with the governor-elect and the Assembly and Senate to close the state’s budget gap; ensure the highest-quality education for every student, pre-school through port-graduate; and continue to provide vital services in government and health care.
“Our state faces enormous challenges but, working together, I’m confident we can meet them,” said Iannuzzi. “I am personally ready to roll up my sleeves and work as partners with the new administration in Albany. I am confident that together we can find ways to address our state’s economic difficulties while maintaining a strong public education system, which we all know is an investment in our students’ futures, as well as the key to attracting business and jobs that will form the foundation of upstate New York’s economic recovery. I believe there is a respectful relationship, and I know we can find common ground if we work together.”
NYSUT Vice President Andrew Pallotta, who leads NYSUT’s legislative and political action operation, also congratulated the winners. “Making New York great again is a goal we all share. We understand that, with the state facing a $9 billion deficit, it will take a ‘shared sacrifice’ by all New Yorkers to reach that goal,” Pallotta said. “At that same time, we take the idea of ‘shared sacrifice’ to mean that every New Yorker, not just public employees and working families, will be asked to do their part to cut costs, increase revenue and close the budget gap.”
NYSUT, the state’s largest union, represents some 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state’s community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.