BMUST Political Action Update

Dear Colleagues,

Before we leave for our much-deserved spring break, I'd like to share a few political action updates.

NYSUT Accomplishments
I'm sure you noticed that VOTE-COPE payroll deductions began last month, and it's important to recognize all that NYSUT has achieved through our contributions and lobbying efforts. Please take a look at the attached flyer highlighting NYSUT's victories over the past year. If you'd like to contribute to VOTE-COPE, please contact Heather Castellano at Mepham. Remember, 40% of our contributions come back to BMUST every year to support local actions.

Tier 6 Rally
NYSUT is hosting a series of Fix Tier 6 rallies across the state this spring, on the 6th of each month. The Long Island rally will take place at the Freeport train station after school on Tuesday, May 6. Visit this link to sign up, and stay updated on Tier 6 developments at https://fixtier6.org/. 

AFT Action
As members of BMUST and NYSUT, we're also part of the AFT (American Federation of Teachers), our national union. Ryan Clark, a social studies teacher at Calhoun and president of the New York State Lifeguard Corps (NYSLC), is actively involved with the AFT. Just as NYSUT has the MAC (Member Action Center) app to help amplify our voices at the state level, the AFT's  Action Network tackles national issues that impact our profession and public education. Ryan asked that we share this opportunity with you (italicized below). If you want to stay informed and get involved, you can sign up for the AFT Action Network here.

As a member of the AFT Public Employees Program and Policy Council, I have been learning how the cuts at the federal level are beginning to trickle down to the states and to Native Americans who are covered by treaties. My fellow policy council member is Sue Parton, the 80-year-old president of the Federation of Indian Service Employees (FISE). She has been a teacher in the Bureau of Indian Education for over 40 years and saw over 3,000 of her members laid off despite historical treaty obligations. I would ask you to consider supporting our fellow AFT members all over the United States working on reservations and in land-grant universities as they face an uphill battle to restore the services protected under the treaties they engaged in while giving up their ancestral lands. Thank you for any support you can give Sue and her members. Honor our Tribal Treaties

Looking ahead
The annual budget vote and school board elections take place on May 20. BMUST will support the passage of the school budget and the election of candidates who support public education. We'll pass along more information in May.

Have a relaxing break, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Dennis


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Dennis Urban
Treasurer and Political Action Co-Chair 
Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers
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