Good jobs, good education and safe communities.
That's what Harrison High School science teacher Chris Tyler cares about, and that's why he plans to get on a bus in the wee hours on the first Saturday in October.
"We need to be there to impress on the politicians the importance of good jobs, good education and safe communities," Tyler said after the first meeting of the Harrison Association of Teachers in September ended with members making signs to carry to Washington, D.C.
The event is being organized by a coalition of 170 groups intent on bringing together hundreds of thousands for a march and rally at the Lincoln Memorial under what is being called "One Nation Working Together."
"I will be in Washington to join my union sisters and brothers and hundreds of thousands of other marchers who care about our country and want to help build a more united America by highlighting the need for jobs, justice and education for all," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, noting the statewide union is helping to coordinate busing thousands of members to the event. The rally "provides us all an opportunity to speak up and speak out to decision-makers to let them know they need to do more to level the playing field so that our nation can come together and move forward toward a better tomorrow."
Anthony Harmon of the United Federation of Teachers has been signing up members in New York City. He is going because "everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve the American dream."
United University Professions, NYSUT's affiliate for SUNY's academic and professional faculty, drastically altered plans for a union convention scheduled for Buffalo so members could attend.
"We UUPers will be with our sisters and brothers in NYSUT, AFT, NEA and the AFL-CIO, marching for jobs and justices," said Eileen Landy, UUP's secretary.