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NYSUT Social Justice

Social justice lies at the heart of unionism. As we fight to protect collective bargaining rights, strike back against education privatization and defend the rights of members, unions demonstrate the power of grassroots action and show how they can be vehicles for change within communities. The goal of NYSUT's Social Justice initiative is to take our social justice mission to the next level - moving beyond simple fundraising to actions that make REAL community change on issues important to members and the communities they live in. Learn more about NYSUT Social Justice.

What's New << >>

  • Challenges of teaching Black history focus of February program 2/21/2024
  • NYSUT named top fundraising company nationwide for supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2/20/2024
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: Black History Month Thought Leaders Forum 2/15/2024
  • NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty 1/24/2024
  • Poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month 10/25/2023
  • In rural Galway, educators thwart censorship attempts 10/17/2023
  • Clyde-Savannah educators push to uphold intellectual freedom 10/6/2023
  • New poster celebrates tennis legend Billie Jean King for LGBTQ+ History Month 10/4/2023
  • Birmingham to Buffalo: Teaching Assistant Ethel Kline talks about her purpose 9/20/2023
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 9/14/2023
  • Celebrating workers’ rights at Labor Day events 9/11/2023
  • 'Thoughts on this Labor Day.' By NYSUT President Melinda Person. 9/4/2023
  • NYSUT Members of Color Affinity and Action Project Inaugural Convening 8/31/2023
  • NYSUT Social Justice Academy graduates first cohort 7/20/2023
  • NYSUT statement on devastating Supreme Court rulings 6/30/2023
  • Celebrate Juneteenth! 6/16/2023
  • NYSUT educators are keeping books in schools, celebrating diverse and inclusive stories 6/13/2023
  • NYSUT Many Threads, One Fabric event celebrates Juneteenth 6/9/2023
  • “Many Threads, One Fabric” event celebrates Asian, Pacific Islander American Heritage Month 5/19/2023
  • SOUNDS OF WELLNESS: A Virtual Black History Month Event 2/27/2023
  • Response to Tyre Nichols' Death & Resources for Members 1/28/2023
  • NYSUT members give back for MLK Day 1/19/2023
  • New poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month 11/8/2022
  • 'Healthy School Meals for All' coalition calls for funding to end childhood hunger in schools 10/27/2022
  • Salamanca High School teachers honored for human rights education 9/14/2022
  • Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our new Jorge Ramos poster 9/1/2022
  • At Buffalo rally, education unions stand up to hate 6/3/2022
  • ‘We need a voice’: Long Island educators form AAPI advocacy group 5/26/2022
  • NYSUT steps up support for Amazon and Starbucks workers 4/21/2022
  • NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund seeks donations to help Ukraine citizens 3/9/2022
  • NYSUT salutes Black History Month 2/19/2022
  • NYSUT Celebrates Black History Month 2022 2/18/2022
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates HBCUs 1/20/2022
  • Event celebrates Hispanic excellence and achievement 10/14/2021
  • VIDEO: 'Celebrando Nuestra Hispanidad: A Conversation with Latino Leaders' 9/27/2021
  • Hispanic Heritage poster honors Maria Hinojosa 9/15/2021
  • Human rights conference brings together teens from three continents 7/19/2021
  • Guilderland teacher unites students and community for action and awareness 7/16/2021
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: 'How to Support Our LGBTQ and Allied Students' 6/24/2021
  • NYSUT Many Threads, One Fabric event celebrates Juneteenth 6/21/2021
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: 'Hope Gathering 2021' 6/17/2021
  • Rural local takes decisive action against anti-gay cyberbullying directed at teachers 6/11/2021
  • Empathy key to effective classroom communication, says Bigbie 5/26/2021
  • Educators discuss ways to combat anti-Asian hate 5/13/2021
  • NYSUT applauds Regents’ diversity, equity and inclusion policy statement 5/10/2021
  • 'Sticks & Stones' workshop offers support for understanding and challenging implicit bias 5/6/2021
  • RA 2021: Solidarity, now and forever 5/1/2021
  • Register for a follow-up session for our 'Courageous Conversation' webinar 4/22/2021
  • NYSUT statement on verdict in Derek Chauvin trial 4/21/2021
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates Kamala Harris for Women's History Month 2/28/2021
    • See all related news

    • Social Justice Resources

      NYSUT, along with our partners at AFT and NEA, have compiled a number of social justice resources for educators and activists.

    • About NYSUT Social Justice

      Social justice lies at the heart of unionism, demonstrating the power of grassroots action and effecting change within our communities.

    • Implicit Bias Workshop

      Learn how to promote social unity and increase cultural awareness in your school and community by attending this new NYSUT workshop for members and local affiliates.

    • Members of Color

      Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Unity.

    • Pathways to Leadership

      NYSUT Pathways to Leadership, a project to support NYSUT BIPOC members who strive to own their power and strengthen their skills to take on leadership roles within their union, workplace, or community.

    • Civil and Human Rights Committee

      A committee to advance the union’s efforts to promote equity and social justice.

    • LGBTQ Resources

      Educating peers and advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning/Queer colleagues.

    • Women's Committee

      Learn more about the NYSUT Women's Committee.

    • Many Threads, One Fabric

      Launched in the summer of 2020, “Many Threads, One Fabric” is a series of NYSUT and AFT virtual town halls exploring racial justice, diversity and equity issues.

    • AAPI Heritage

      NYSUT members celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by sharing their stories.

    • Black History

      NYSUT members and leaders are telling their stories in video testimonials as part of our Black History Month celebration. More to come!

    • Hispanic Heritage: Rita Moreno

      NYSUT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a new poster honoring Rita Moreno, an actress, dancer, and singer whose stage and screen career spans over seven decades. Moreno is one of only 18 EGOT award winners — performers who have received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards — and one of only 24 to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, winning Academy, Emmy and Tony Awards.

    • Social Justice Organizations

      Organizations around the world to help advance your social justice agenda.

    FEATURED:

    News

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    education inc

    Documentary 'Education, Inc.' looks at money in education

    The documentary film, “Education, Inc.,” will be presented tonight at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, one of a series of showings around the state set up by NYSUT to light up the big screen with awareness about how education has turned into a profit-making venture at the expense of children.
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    dreamers

    Award-winning film 'DREAMers Among Us' reveals plight of undocumented students

    Movie night at NYSUT did not come with popcorn, but it was loaded with hard kernels of truth as union members and staff watched the story of stymied, undocumented students unfold in the documentary film, "DREAMers Among Us.'
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    Social justice in your world

    Social justice in your world
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    NEA's Bully Free, It Starts With Me.

    October is National Bullying Awareness Month

    October is National Bullying Awareness Month
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    Retired teacher Janet Wheile checks a map outlining election districts in Saratoga County. Photo by Marty Kerins Jr.

    Voting Rights Act: A 50-year lesson in democracy

    Voting Rights Act A 50 year lesson in democracy
    READ MORE
    reverse trick or treat

    Reverse Trick-or-Treat: Halloween program raises awareness about child labor

    Give and receive treats this Halloween by participating in “Reverse Trick-or-Treating,” a NYSUT initiative to raise awareness of the widespread use of forced child labor on many cocoa farms. The concept is simple: On Halloween night, after receiving a “treat,” offer a gift in return — a mini Fair Trade chocolate bar, and a card promoting the purchase of fairly traded products.
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    ride for the missing

    Pedal power for the missing

    Lisa Luyckx, a member of the Niskayuna Teachers Association, was one of about 50 riders pedaling 100 miles to raise money and educate students about safety in the Capital District Ride For Missing Children. Six other teachers from throughout the region also rode today, sharing the wonder of a warm, sunny autumn day and clear blue sky with the grief of families who have no idea where their loved ones went.
    READ MORE
    community meeting

    Capital Region initiative engages community leaders

    This summer NYSUT began to host organizing meetings with communities of color in the Capital Region. Vice President Paul Pecorale convened the first meeting in August at NYSUT in the Shanker Conference Center. It was attended by close to 90 community leaders. The intent of this community outreach work is to demonstrate the union’s efforts to bring change, justice and fairness to all.
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    Solidarity for striking locals

    Committed unionists, standing as a bulwark against some of the most egregious attacks on public education ever seen, are fighting to defend hard-won gains. Some are putting their very lives on the line for the principles in which they believe; the principles for which NYSUT and other labor organizations hold sacred.
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    fight for 15

    Pressing for livable wage for SRPs, all workers

    Workers everywhere should take heart in the decision by the New York State Department of Labor to (albeit gradually) increase the state's minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour - as the fight for a livable wage for all workers accelerates.
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    labor day

    VIDEO: 'Let's commit to the spirit of Labor Day 365 days a year,' says Magee

    NYSUT President Karen E. Magee was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Labor Day event at the New York State Fair.
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    labor day

    Understanding Labor Day's deeper meaning

    Labor Day has a deeper meaning. In 1894, the first Monday in September became a federal holiday to acknowledge the long and difficult struggle workers endured for fairness and recognition in the workplace. And it's these principles that fuel unions to fight for fair pay, pensions, health care, workplace safety, weekends off and an eight-hour day. This struggle - led by unions - made it possible for a strong middle class to thrive and created the greatest workforce in the world.
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