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During the first day of the 2023 RA, union leaders paid homage to their outgoing leaders and celebrated their wins.
NYSUT President Andy Pallotta delivered his farewell speech, and his impact was praised by New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, and AFT President Randi Weingarten. Weingarten extolled Pallotta’s work expanding the tent while preserving unity and said that he has made NYSUT “the most important union in the United States.”
Union leaders also scrutinized the current issues facing educators, including APPR, Tier 6, and standardized tests.
During the General Session, NYSUT executive director Melinda Person introduced a special order of business to end over-testing. The resolution calls for educators to mobilize in support of this initiative and back legislation like Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s More Teaching, Less Testing Act.
“In the words of Congressman Bowman, ‘We need a revolution in our public schools that unlocks the brilliance of all our kids and cultivates a generation equipped to take on 21st century challenges,’” said Person.
NYSUT also announced its plans to add 10 new organizers to its roster and delegates learned about one of NYSUT’s recent organizing victories at the Robert C. Parker School in Troy, NY.
At the end of the day, delegates cast their ballots to elect NYSUT officers, members of the NYSUT Board and state delegates to the AFT convention.
Many thanks to all our delegates.
General Session #2 starts promptly at 9am.