GNTA News Blog

Saying No to Cuomo

4/29/2014

About 3000 teachers, parents, and administrators "greeted" Governor Cuomo at a fundraising dinner in Holbrook, Long Island on April 28. The Gov. had tried to quash the rally by offering a meeting with its organizer, Tony Felicio, Connetquot Teacher Association President. Felicio refused and Cuomo had to walk past thousands of chanting protestors fed up with his anti-public education policies.

Attending from GNTA: Jeff Bernstein, Michelle Sorise, Luci Legotti, Jodi Rauch, Sheila Scimone, Bill Toto, and Andrew Desiano with his whole family!

2014 GNTA Election Results

4/28/2014

Here are the results of the April 28, 2014 GNTA elections. Thanks to Linda Gitman and Susan Becker of the Elections Committee for all of their hard work.

2015 NYSUT & 2014 AFT Delegates & Alternates

GNTA

Jeff Bernstein / Michelle Sorise
Maura Carroll / Elaine Brendel
Sandi Cooper / Jodi Rauch
Jim Daszenski / Debra Silverman
Michael Norberto / Linda Gitman
Sheila Scimone / Kathleen Andrews
Jennifer Snyder / Luci Legotti

Retired Educators Chapter

Bill Toto / Ruth Ann Bertman

Tweet Yourself Right

4/27/2014

Follow GNTA on Twitter for the latest news and information that affects you:

Contract & negotiations updates
Political action initiatives
The fight to reclaim public education

Port Jefferson School District Settles New Contract

4/25/2014

From Portjeffschools.org:

"The Port Jefferson UFSD Board of Education (BOE) and the Port Jefferson Teachers Association (PJTA) are pleased to announce that they have approved a successor agreement to the labor contract that ended on June 30, 2013, which will run through June 30, 2017.

"The new agreement calls for a zero percent increase in the salary schedule in year one, followed by a 1 percent annual increase in the salary schedule in years two through four. A step ‘freeze’ is in place for year three, and half-step increases are called for in years two and four (steps are movements ‘up’ the schedule based upon accrued years of service). One-time payments of $650 will be made to all teachers in years two and three, and teachers who are not eligible to move up a step on the salary schedule in year one will receive a one-time payment of $1,300.

"The net result of the agreement is to slow the rate of total salary growth and save significant sums in the short and long term. The district will realize a savings of approximately $850,000 over the 4-year term of the agreement (as compared to the expired contract language)."

Read the full press release.

Defensive Driving Course Available through NYSUT

4/24/2014

In the past, GNTA has offered a Defensive Driving course here in the district at a reduced rate through NYSUT. For administrative reasons we have discontinued this offering. As an alternative, we can offer the following:

The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation-endorsed Defensive Driving Program is sponsored through the National Safety Council.

Benefits of Defensive Driving Program:
1. If you are the principal operator of a vehicle, you will receive a minimum 10% reduction in the base rate of your auto liability and collision insurance premiums each year for three years.

2. You may receive a reduction of up to four points on your driving record.

You may take the course as often as you wish, but you may take it only once every three years for insurance reduction benefits, and once every 18 months for point reduction.

How to Access the Program:
NYSUT members and their families who are licensed in New York state can take this course online at the Member Benefits-reduced price of $21.95 per person -- a savings of $18 per course fee.

Before you can participate online and receive the discounted pricing, you need to get the unique NYSUT Member Benefits Access Code. THE ACCESS CODE IS NYSUTDDC.

If you already have the access code (see above), click here to access the National Safety Council online course.

Please note that each family member will need to register for and take the course separately.

NYSUT Challengers Triumph

4/6/2014

Dick Iannuzzi congratulates Karen Magee

In stunning fashion, amid strong anti-incumbent sentiment, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and his fellow officers were defeated by Karen Magee and her "Revive NYSUT" slate. The April 5th election was held at NYSUT's 42nd Annual Representative Assembly in Manhattan, a gathering of over 2300 delegates from across New York State. Magee and her team campaigned on a platform stressing greater member mobilization and fiscal transparency and responsibility within NYSUT. They also promise a more aggressive approach in fighting back against APPR, high stakes testing, and Albany's refusal to adequately fund and support public education.

GNTA's eight delegates strongly supported Iannuzzi and his team believing that their experience and accomplishments in these extremely difficult times had earned our continued trust. GNTA President Sheila Scimone said that "Since January, the GNTA delegation has conscientiously examined the positions of both slates of candidates and unanimously supported Iannuzzi's ‘Stronger Together’ team. I'm deeply disappointed to lose the experience, integrity, and grace of Dick Iannuzzi, Maria Neira, Kathleen Donahue, and Lee Cutler. However, it's imperative that we not allow the unity of NYSUT to be compromised even for a second, so GNTA is committed to working collaboratively with our new officers from today forward."

GNTA congratulates NYSUT's new leadership: President Karen Magee, Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta, 1st Vice President Catalina R. Fortino, 2nd Vice President Paul Pecorale, and Secretary-Treasurer Martin Messner.

Read more from NYSUT and at the Times Union and the Times Union Blog.

From left: Jennifer Snyder, Sheila Scimone, Dick Iannuzzi, Jeff Bernstein, Maura Carroll, and Patti Crisafulli