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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Stand against bullying with the Upstander Pledge

With another school year underway, educators might want to consider asking their students to take The Upstander Pledge - a pledge in which they commit to taking a personal stand to intervene or report bullying and other acts of cruelty whenever and wherever they are witnessed.

Have you taken the LGBTQ Educator Task Force survey?

NYSUT is conducting a survey of member educators who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ community.

On 50th anniversary of Voting Rights Act, a call for urgent action

This summer's 50th anniversary of the passage of the hard-won Voting Rights Act of 1965 is providing opportunities for urgent action, rather than celebration, to restore the honor of the original act.

NYSUT applauds wage board decision

“We applaud the wage board for taking this important step to recognize the dignity of the work that fast food workers perform each day,” said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee.

Happy Anniversary! Celebrating decades of Social Justice legislation

Happy Anniversary! Celebrating decades of Social Justice legislation