After 37 years in education and the labor movement, NYSUT President Andy Pallotta has announced his retirement at the end of his term in April.
Here's his recent letter to local union presidents making the announcement.
Dear NYSUT Family:
After 37 years in education and the labor movement, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement as President of New York State United Teachers at the end of my term in April. Thirty-seven years is a long time! But from my first day in a classroom in Brooklyn as a brand new teacher, until today as your President, I look back with pride knowing I gave my life to a worthy cause.
Over my 14 years at NYSUT, I have been privileged to stand side-by-side with local leaders from around the state representing NYSUT’s values and fighting for a better future for all New Yorkers. We have grown into a more powerful union – nearly 700,000 strong.
Our members are relentless in their advocacy, and they have been resilient in the face of adversity. In the past decade alone, we have faced constant attacks on public education and unions; financial crises on the federal, state and local level; Supreme Court decisions that challenged the way we reach our members; and a global pandemic that thrust healthcare and public school employees on the frontlines as they cared for the most vulnerable among us. Through it all, we remained steadfast, and we came out stronger than ever.
I am grateful for the support of our Board of Directors, past and present, for their dedication to our union and their willingness to work together towards a common goal. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to you, our local leaders, who work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of our members are heard, and their needs are met. Your unwavering commitment to public service and your members has been the driving force behind NYSUT’s success.
Last year, we celebrated NYSUT’s 50th anniversary, looking back on our union’s noble beginnings and the many brave members who laid the foundation for our success. As we look ahead to NYSUT’s next 50 years, I am confident that the future of our union is in good hands. NYSUT’s leadership team carry with them a strong record of results, a dedication to NYSUT’s mission, and an understanding of the responsibility to be good stewards of NYSUT’s future.
We have come so far – we have been through so much together – and I am so proud of the impact we have made in the lives of our members and their families. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as NYSUT’s President -- it has been the greatest honor of my professional career.
In strength and unity,
Andy Pallotta
NYSUT President