Union related posts — specifically concerning the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) or Retiree Council 23 (RC 23).
Thank you for a job well done.
You spoke up, your voice was heard and we won!
The NY State Legislature voted to approve a budget on Thursday, March 31st. Negotiations always require compromise and so we did not prevail on all fronts but thanks to the support of NYSUT members, both in-service and retiree, there were significant wins for education and retirees included in the 2016-17 budget.
Joan Perini of NYSUT has written a letter to all NYSUT member about the proposal for a New York State Constitutional Convention and what it would mean to NYSUT members. She states:
We need to understand what is at stake and what you can do to help. For one thing, let your fellow retirees know about the plans for a 2017 convention and what the proposed changes would mean to them. A good example of a negative issue that could be raised has to do with pension rights. Currently it states that once hired as a public employee and told your pension rights, your pension can never be diminished or impaired. Revocation of this right would be a serious loss to all public employees.
Read the complete letter here Constitutional_Convention
Higher-ed advocates to call on state Legislature to provide long-term funding for SUNY and CUNY campuses.
A coalition of labor unions will join with the state Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee chairs Monday to urge that lawmakers include in the forthcoming state budget ‘Maintenance of Effort’ funding to enable State University of New York and City University of New York campuses —which for years have been hamstrung by cuts in aid — to cover basic operating costs.
Representatives from New York State United Teachers, United University Professions, the Professional Staff Congress and District Council 37 will join Democratic Assemblywoman Deborah Glick of Manhattan and Republican state Sen. Kenneth LaValle of Port Jefferson at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the LCA press room of the Legislative Office Building in Albany.
All NYSUT members are encouraged to visit the Member Benefits website at memberbenefits.nysut.org to learn more about endorsed programs and services offered. Newest endorsed programs include Member Shopping Program powered by Paycheck Direct, Solar Solidarity Program from American Solar Partners, and ID Watchdog protecting against identity and credit theft. Call 1-800-626-8101 to request printed directory of services.
The AFT as issued a bulletin from on recent changes to Social Security and Medicare that all retirees, and soon to be retirees, should be aware of.
The Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced changes in Social Security and Medicare benefits effective January 1, 2016. This bulletin provides some of the key changes for review and use by local leaders and active and retired members. More detailed information can be found at www.ssa.gov. Continue reading