From Peter Lamphere

I first met James Eterno twenty years ago, when he, Ellen Fox and a few others took the courageous decision to leave the New Action Caucus because of their deal with then-UFT president Randi Weingarten. It was an exciting moment and led to the realignment of the UFT opposition. Even though James ended up in ICE and I was in TJC, I always had tremendous respect for him as a stalwart of the opposition movement, and we helped elect James to the executive board. 

James’ fight to save Jamaica High School was a model of how to resist neoliberal school reform. He effectively rallied the staff and the community to defend the Queens institution - as a young activist who was trying to keep my own school, Columbus in the Bronx, off the chopping block, I really admired his organizing ability and the tenacity of his fight. For years afterwards, as Jamaica teachers were scattered to the four winds across Queens, I spoke to many veterans who were always willing to distribute leaflets or help out in our struggles for a stronger union, out of loyalty and admiration for James.

No one in the union knew more about parliamentary procedure than James. He had read Roberts Rules a number of times and was always suggesting new strategies to try - I have relied on his advice many times on how to successfully challenge the leadership on the floor in the delegate assembly. In particular he always reminded the president, whether Mulgrew or Weingarten, that they had to alternate between sides of a debate and give both sides time to express themselves.

James and I differed tremendously about strategy in the fight for a better UFT. I was saddened when he left MORE even if the split felt inevitable given the differences. And you always new that James was honest and open about his disagreements, and motivated only by a desire for a stronger labor movement and a better world. And he was always willing to work together to fight for what was right. 

New York City teachers will be weaker for the loss of this tremendous fighter. And our hearts go out to his Camille and his family. I know James was looking forward to years of happy retirement with them and that was tragically cut short.

In Solidarity, 

Peter 

(he/him)