MAGEE OFFICIALLY NOT RUNNING; AQE AD SAYS CUOMO=TRUMP ON EDUCATION; EVENTS TUESDAY AND SATURDAY

Three stories caught my eye as I was scanning the Monday news. First, it is now official that Karen Magee won't seek reelection for President of New York State United Teachers. She made that announcement in a Member Briefing. This was expected after Andy Pallotta was anointed by Michael Mulgrew-Randi Weingarten's Unity Caucus to be the next NYSUT President. Read Magee's announcement below. She clearly is getting a golden parachute in the form of an AFT-AFL-CIO position.

Also at the State level, The Alliance for Quality Education, often accused of being a front group for the teachers unions, has a magnificent ad that goes way farther than our unions would dare to go as it compares the education policies of President Donald Trump and Governor Andrew Cuomo and finds them almost identical. Great stuff AQE.

On Saturday, March 4 AQE is holding Marches for Educational Justice around the state. The NYC march starts at Trump Hotel on 59th Street and Columbus Circle at 9:30 a.m. Attend a march if you can.

For those looking to be active at the Panel for Educational Policy meeting at Prospect Heights Educational Campus in Brooklyn, MORE will be there in force on Tuesday, February 28 supporting immigrant rights and attempting to prevent the closing of JHS 145.

There will be a press conference at 5:00 p.m. at the park across the street and the meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. Get there early if you want to sign up to speak at the PEP meeting.


Karen Magee says farewell:

Karen's notes: Looking forward

With my heartfelt thanks for all you do and will continue to do for our great union, I want you to know that I have decided not to seek a second term as NYSUT president in order to accept an exciting opportunity with the American Federation of Teachers and the New York State AFL-CIO.

In this position, which will begin after the RA in April, I will be advancing an initiative to increase economic opportunities for women — a cause near and dear to my heart. It was a hard decision to move on from the work I love as NYSUT president, but it was made easier by the realization of all we have accomplished together.

We still have much to accomplish in the days ahead as we prepare for the “Speak Up, Stand Up, Step Up!” conference next weekend and the NYSUT Representative Assembly in April.

I embrace this new opportunity to carry forward the mission of the labor movement at the national level, knowing that NYSUT, our leaders and members will be supportive partners in this essential work.
For more, here’s my column in the upcoming issue of NYSUT United.

Thank you again for all you do.