Though 2018 presented its share of challenges to us all, we have come a long way over the past twelve months. More than anything else, 2018 was the year educators found — and raised — our voices, both here in New York State and nationwide.
In a demonstration of the power of the Red for Ed movement across the country, educators from West Virginia and Kentucky to Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina hit the streets to demand better pay, better working conditions, and the pensions they were promised.
Right here in New York, thousands of education activists and hundreds of thousands of pro-education voters across the state made Election Day 2018 a huge success, ensuring that our new State Senate will be one that fights for education funding, will listen to the voice of parents and educators, will return sanity to the state's testing and teacher evaluation system, and will fight to increase funding for higher education.
And earlier this year, in the wake of the Supreme Court's wrong-headed Janus decision, our members rejected the $10 million campaign by radical anti-union billionaires like Betsy DeVos and her friends to break our union. Our members said NO, I'm sticking with our union!
Our successes in 2018 were the result of solidarity, activism, and — most importantly — the passion and commitment of our members. And I thank you all for that!
So, as we look back on a great 2018 and ahead to the opportunities right there in front of us in 2019, I wish you and your family a very happy New Year!
On behalf of everyone at NYSUT, I sincerely hope that you have had a happy and peaceful holiday season, and best wishes from all of us for a happy, healthy, and successful 2019!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President
P.S.: Let's make 2019 another great year for us all! Happy New Year from NYSUT!