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Congratulations to Our 2016 Retirees!

5/29/2016

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On May 25, GNTA celebrated the careers of our colleagues who are retiring this spring. We thank them for their years of professionalism and dedication to the children of Great Neck. Here's the complete list:

LAKEVILLE
David Graham
Donna Peirez
Dina Siegel

NORTH MIDDLE
Bonnie Bleck
Lynn Kelly
Robert Vigus

PARKVILLE
Alisa Altabef

SADDLE ROCK
Jill Rubin
Adria Salmon

SOUTH HIGH
Debra Cruz
Linda Dragunat
Eileen McPartland

SOUTH MIDDLE
Andrew Berlin
Sheila Henchy
Gail Keyes
Eileen Mangiacapre
Claudia Re
Rhonda Rieger

OFFICE STAFF
Kathleen Daly
Vincent Delucca
Catherine McAllen
Dorothy Mogenis
Louise Millevoi
​Antoinette Solowsky
Antonia Sciacca

PARAPROFESSIONALS
Lucy Cacciatore
Rita Conception
​Gail Heifetz
​Leopoldine Jacklitsch
Roberta Begel
Joan Carrell
Sophia Mazurkiewica
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GNTA Shows Support for Striking Verizon Workers

5/29/2016

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In a show of solidarity, GNTA members walked the picket line with our striking Verizon union brothers and sisters in Jericho on May 24. These members of CWA Local 1104 and over 40,000 other Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia have been on strike for over 40 days. The reasons: they say they cannot accept Verizon proposals that would allow additional outsourcing of call center workers to the Philippines and Mexico, greater use of nonunion contract installers, and the assignment of union employees to other cities for up to two months at a time.
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Delegate's Report: Jennifer Snyder

5/24/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

JENNIFER SNYDER
VP, Professional Rights & Responsibilities
​
There has been a lot of talk about democracy lately. In GNTA, we have worked really hard examining, discussing, and communicating our decision making process. We have read, re-read, distributed, and discussed the GNTA constitution and bylaws and looked closely to assure that we were following the intent of the language. In the areas where the language was vague or inconsistent with practice, we brought the discussion to the Delegate Assembly and made the necessary changes.

At this year’s NYSUT Representative Assembly meeting thousands of elected delegates, like myself, put our private lives aside for two days to travel to Rochester to meet and discuss, debate, and vote on proposals for NYSUT’s legislative program. This is work that delegates take seriously and are proud to do. It has been said that decisions are made by those who are in the room.

This democratic process is followed by political organizations large and small. NYSUT, New York State United Teachers, is a political organization that represents members from all over the state. It is important to recognize that this organization represents members from Great Neck and other Nassau County locals, but also members from northern and western New York, and the large rural areas of the state. NYSUT also includes New York City, the United Federation of Teachers, which represents the members from all five boroughs. It is important to know that the membership from the cities in NY, including Syracuse and Buffalo, have more delegates than the rest of the state combined.

Our Executive Board has been asked to be more transparent with process and to communicate more frequently with the membership. This is happening within NYSUT as well. We are living in unsettling times where each of us feels the need to protect everything that is ours and to fight for all we deserve. When these issues are brought to our elected delegates for discussion, decisions are made. This is what democracy looks like. This is the procedures we follow at our monthly Delegate Assembly, and this is the process that is followed at the NYSUT Representative Assembly.

The democratic process does not guarantee that we always get our way, but the process assures that every vote counts. We take this responsibility very seriously. We are there in the room for each discussion and we are present when the question is called. When a voice vote is too close to call we yell louder. When a hand vote is taken, our hands are held high. When that is too close to call, and we need to stand to be counted, we stand proudly. It doesn’t always feel like we are getting our due, but we have to be in the room to be counted.

As we go to the polls on May 17th and again on November 8th, we should remember that “This is what democracy looks like!” 
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Delegate's Report: Luci Legotti

5/19/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

LUCI LEGOTTI
Elementary Director, 3-5

Thomas DiNapoli’s support of public education and teachers continues to be unwavering and extremely inspirational. 

As educators we should be honored that New York State’s chief fiscal officer, whose job is to ensure that State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to promote the common good, stated, “I am proud as your Comptroller to say that investing in quality public schools and teachers is still the best investment taxpayers can make, and it gives us the highest rate of return for our state and for our nation.”
 
He credited NYSUT’s very focused activism in Albany as instrumental in advocating for the increase of 1.5 billion dollars in State aid as well as the return of 434 million dollars in the gap elimination adjustment. He acknowledged that school districts, faced with the 2% tax cap, still have budget challenges ahead and are expecting teachers to do more with less resources and added responsibilities.  He described the school audits his office conducts and their effort to make schools more efficient and accountable. He pointed out that charter schools are also included in the audits.  He explained that the audits are done to protect taxpayer dollars.  

He lauded the contributions that both inservice and retired public employees make to the New York State economy and stressed the importance of continuing our commitment to our retirees, as “80% of our NYS public retirees continue to live in the state and that means they are spending their benefit dollars in our state.” He reported that the NYS’s Public Pension Fund is one of the best-funded large state pension plans in America. He credited our well-funded pensions as a contributing factor cited by Moody’s, Fitch & Standard & Poor’s in an upgraded NYS bond rating.  DiNapoli assured the audience that on his watch, he would stand up to any challenges to our defined benefit pension plan and not allow them to be replaced by 401(k)-style defined contribution plans.

He emphasized, “Teachers need to remain vigilant, as attempts to undermine teacher unions and public sector unions are underway in the national debate.” He offered himself as an advocate, to be called upon, “…when battles arise, to speak out on the essential role that unions play in making a better and stronger state and nation.” He encouraged teachers to continue to make their voices heard on behalf of students and public schools, and stated that he looks forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with us.
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Delegate's Report: Joan Greenberg

5/17/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

JOAN GREENBERG
GNTA Political Action Co-Coordinator

It was my privilege and honor to represent the Great Neck faculty at the NYSUT Representative Assembly, held in Rochester this April. It was inspirational and refreshing to be in the company of unionists committed to quality public education as well as broad social justice issues. It served as a reminder that we GNTA are members of a vibrant, diverse, interdisciplinary force that diligently protects the rights of others. This was witnessed in the passing of various resolutions that addressed the protection of children from the institutionalized child abuse of standardized tests as well as challenging the commissioner’s untimed testing agenda. In addition resolutions addressing legislative issues included the defense of collective bargaining and redoubling efforts to prevent a 2017 Constitutional Convention. On a national level, NYSUT urged all members to stand in unity against discrimination by asking all affiliates to avoid travel in North Carolina and Mississippi. 
 
As a first-time delegate, political action co coordinator, and social worker, the convention further reinforced the importance of participation by members in the process of change. The shift in Cuomo’s message concerning public education is a direct response to the dedication and hard fought battle by union members. Our contributions to VOTE/COPE, which supplied revenue for advertisements and other lobbying efforts and our sending faxes from our NYSUT Action Center APP from our phones made a difference. This movement supporting public education demonstrates the need for all of us to be active participants in the political process. The convention motivated and kindled ideas for us to pursue. One of the easiest and most effective means to give Cuomo and our state legislatures a four letter word message is to register and VOTE. More to follow….
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Delegate's Report: Jeff Bernstein

5/10/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

JEFF BERNSTEIN
GNTA High School Director

I was privileged to attend my third NYSUT Representative Assembly in Rochester representing the GNTA. It is always inspiring to hear the many speakers and meet and get to interact with other passionate unionists from around the state. It reinforces the importance of the time we commit and the work we do for our members and our communities.

One of the most important things that happens at the RA each year is voting on any resolutions or proposed amendments to the bylaws and constitution. As our statewide union, NYSUT is our voice in Albany, and the decisions it makes and the actions it takes directly affect every one of us. Just one example is APPR and the changes NYSUT has fought both for and against. The process at the RA consists of two steps. The first is a committee meeting, which discusses the resolution or amendment, and votes on a recommendation to the full RA of concurrence, non-concurrence, or to send it to the Board of Directors for further discussion. This recommendation is then presented to the full RA, where it is discussed and voted on.

This year, there were three proposed amendments to the NYSUT Constitution. I participated in the committee meeting on the amendments. The amendments addressed (1) who elects at-large directors, (2) where/how elections are held, and (3) how vacancies in at-large director positions are filled. They were each designed to allow for greater local participation in the voting process. While greater participation seems on its face a good thing, these amendments proved to be very controversial.

There are two main caucuses within NYSUT. The Unity Caucus is dominated by the UFT and other big city locals. The UFT is dominated by its own Unity Caucus, which requires its members to always vote as a block. The result is that UFT leadership is able to just about control the results of all voting in NYSUT. Stronger Together arose during the last contested election for officers and is led by members from many smaller locals from around the state who would like to bring greater democracy to NYSUT.

The three amendments were all supported by Stronger Together, as they would each provide greater local involvement in voting and selection of officers and at-large directors. Under the Constitution as it stands, only locals who can afford to send members to the triennial RA in New York City where elections are conducted can vote. Additionally, at-large directors for each Election District within NYSUT are elected by the RA as a whole, not by the delegates with each particular ED. This current system allows the Unity Caucus, and therefore the UFT, to have significant say over the election of officers and at-large directors, and therefore the Board of Directors of NYSUT.

The discussion in committee about the three amendments to the NYSUT Constitution proved to be very contentious. Those in favor argued that they would bring more representative democracy to NYSUT by (1) providing more locals the opportunity to vote in elections, and (2) allow at-large directors to be chosen by the locals they represent. Those opposed argued that (1) locals needed to be present at the RA to really understand the issues, and (2) that at-large directors were really representing all of NYSUT, even though they were chosen to represent a particular area. Those who spoke in favor of the changes were from many locals around the state, while those who spoke against were primarily from the UFT. Given the current domination by Unity and the UFT, the committee voted non-concurrence on each of the amendments.

When brought to the body of the RA, discussion of the non-concurrence recommendation of the committee led to a passionate debate between those in favor of the changes and those opposed. Reflecting the growing strength of Stronger Together, the voting took three steps. Usually votes at the RA don't go beyond a simple voice vote, but in this case the voting was close enough that President Karen McGee asked for a standing vote to get a visual. When that didn't resolve the issue, a person by person count of the delegates standing for each side was taken. The committee recommendation of non-concurrence was upheld by a vote of 900-617, and therefore there were no changes made to the NYSUT Constitution.

At next year's Representative Assembly there will be elections for NYSUT officers. There is little doubt it will be a contested election, with the expectation that both the Unity Caucus and Stronger Together will run slates. The debates over the amendments to the NYSUT Constitution portend what to expect next year. The good news is that Stronger Together continues to grow from year to year, and the debates within NYSUT will continue.

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Delegate's Report: Bill Toto

5/9/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

BILL TOTO
President, Retired Educators Chapter

NYSUT’s 44th annual Representative Assembly was held at the Genesee Riverside Convention Center in the flower city of Rochester, sans flowers. Temperatures ranged from the high twenties to the lower thirties. The theme of New York State United celebrated the unity and solidarity of our statewide union. Also, it has been 10 years since NYSUT and the former NEA/New York joined to become one union. About 2,000 delegates, elected by local unions, attended a jam-packed, fast-paced two-day convention. Hopefully, in the future, NYSUT will revert to a three day convention.

Although delegates listened to inspiring speeches including one by Hillary Clinton and honored the work of various members and local unions across the state, they were mainly present to debate 35 resolutions and three constitutional amendments proposed by local unions and Retiree Councils. The resolutions included more articulation between K-12 and higher education unions, advocating against inappropriate testing, repealing the state’s severe receivership law, opposing the 2017 call for a New York State Constitutional Convention, and proposing a simple majority rather than a super majority vote regarding school budgets and the tax cap. An interesting resolution submitted by retiree councils throughout the state dealt with preserving Social Security by fixing the way the COLA is determined. It calls for eliminating the present CPI with an elderly Consumer Price Index (CPI-e), reflecting senior spending.

In these unsettling times with daunting issues, this convention pointed out to me the importance of Great Neck’s connection with its affiliates, namely NYSUT and AFT.
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Delegate's Report: Sheila Henchy

5/5/2016

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Seven GNTA members, selected as delegates by our membership in 2014, attended the NYSUT 44th Annual Representative Assembly in Rochester from April 8-9. This yearly convention of almost 2,000 members is NYSUT’s highest policy-making body. Here's what our delegates have to say:

SHEILA HENCHY
GNTA President

Every NYSUT Representative Assembly closes with the hundreds of delegates joining hands and singing the old union song “Solidarity Forever.” I unabashedly love that moment, and this year’s rendition was especially poignant for me, since it was my sixteenth and final RA.
 
NYSUT President Karen Magee gave her “state of the union” address on Friday night; her theme was “What a Difference a Year Makes.” She highlighted the many positive changes we’ve seen in the past year: a new Commissioner of Education; the SED firing of the test-maker Pearson; a moratorium on using test scores to evaluate teachers; a major change in the make-up of the Board of Regents; a new, far more teacher-friendly Chancellor of the Regents...to name just a few. Many of those changes are a result of lobbying efforts on the part of NYSUT, but those efforts would not have borne fruit if not for the grassroots activism of teachers on the local level in partnership with parents. Think of all the rallies we’ve attended...the letters we’ve written...the faxes we’ve sent...our children whom we’ve opted out. Thank you for everything you’ve done to heed NYSUT’s call to action for the last few years. Your activism is making a difference. We still have much work ahead of us, but we’ve certainly learned this: NYSUT is US.
 
Some of our members fear that our strength locally is compromised when we are politically active in state or national affairs. I would argue that there’s little distinction. Everything is political. Our Annual Professional Performance Reviews are dictated in large part by state laws and State Education Department regulations. Our budget-and thus our ability to negotiate fair contracts-is affected by the state tax cap. Our curriculum is influenced by the national Common Core. We can’t afford to sit back and leave it to others to fight against laws, regulations, and policies that harm our profession. NYSUT has 600,000+ members, but we’re only 600,000 STRONG if we raise our voices as one.
 
We have many challenges ahead. We will need to work hard to defeat the call in 2017 for a Constitutional Convention in New York that could compromise our pension rights...to fight the next Supreme Court challenge to our collective bargaining rights...to push our legislature to make changes to the tax cap law that will make it more viable for school districts. NYSUT will lead those fights, but make no mistake: NYSUT only succeeds when GNTA, together with all the other locals, uses our collective strength for action.
 
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the many times you’ve elected me to represent you as a NYSUT delegate. I’ve been incredibly proud to identify myself as a GNTA member. I have one wish for all of you: that you’ll keep in mind-and put into action-the words of the song: “Solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong!”
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Election Results - May 2, 2016

5/4/2016

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​On Monday, May 2, GNTA held elections for the 2016-17 positions of President and Elementary Director, K-2. Thank you for voting! Here are the results:
​

PRESIDENT
Jim Daszenski - 494
Dennis Mooney - 098

ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR, K-2
Sandra Kaufman (uncontested)
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Great Neck Teachers Association
NYSUT, AFT, AFL-CIO #2686 | The Cottage • 343 Lakeville Road • Great Neck, NY 11020 
gnteachers@gmail.com | @GNTeachers
(516) 829-9070 | Fax: (516) 829-0724