August 06, 2014

Protest planned as part of endorsement conference

Source:  NYSUT Communications
protest privatization

In a grassroots action planned in conjunction with its endorsement conference, NYSUT on Monday will protest corporate testing giant Pearson and other profiteers that seek to privatize public education and put profits before students in New York state.

Under the banner "Public Education, NOT Private Profits," NYSUT activists will gather at 7:30 p.m. on the steps of the State Education Department, 89 Washington Ave. in Albany, to:

  • Protest Pearson's gag orders on teachers (more info)
  • Get Pearson and other corporate profiteers OUT of our classrooms
  • Defend due process, seniority and collective bargaining against privateers like Campbell Brown. (more info)

"This protest underscores, once again, the undue corporate influence on the education of children," NYSUT President Karen E. Magee said. "We are speaking out against deep-pocket forces that want to privatize public education and erode due process rights."

Because this protest is being held in conjunction with the NYSUT endorsement conference, transportation is limited. Endorsement conference participants will be brought to the site by bus. In addition, a limited number of seats are available for buses that will depart at 6:50 p.m. from NYSUT Headquarters in Latham. (NYSUT members who would like a seat on a bus departing at 6:50 p.m. Monday from NYSUT headquarters and returning there after the protest should call the Capital District Regional Office at 518-783-7977 no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 to request a seat.) Members and parents may also drive to the protest, but please be aware that parking is on your own.

The event is being held as NYSUT activists gather Aug. 11-13 in Albany for the union's annual endorsement conference.

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