Date Posted

Dear Brothers and Sisters I hope the summer is treating you well. I also hope you're doing your best to rest both physically and mentally. Since our last communication in June as you may well know the JANUS decision was released by the Supreme Court and was definitely not in favor of unions. Despite that,  I feel what this has done is solidified the resolve of union members. When I attended the AFT Convention in Pittsburgh the leadership of AFSCME, SEIU, and NEA all spoke about the same thing: We have no other choice than to all stay united and fight against the enemies of unions. As I also spoke with teachers from all across the country I saw that although conditions vary in every state we were all on the same page. We know the value of 'Sticking With Our Union'. Here in Farmingdale I'm proud to say we are near our 100% membership recommitment.

Within hours of the Janus decision, thousands of union members across Long Island and NY state began receiving emails through their school email accounts encouraging them to drop their union membership. Most ended up in Spam. We have contacted the district and have asked that emails like these be blocked from our accounts. These sneaky emails are coming from organizations that are very well-funded anti-union machines.  They are the same billionaires who supported Mark Janus, the DeVos Family, the Koch Brothers, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Freedom Foundation, and the National Right to Work Committee.  If they continue to get through our email filters simply ignore them, or like some of our members have done reply to them and tell them why you're sticking with your union.  They make their statements sound so good but their purpose is just to weaken unions. What we know is that there is strength in numbers and as a unit standing together, we can ensure that everyone's voice is heard and we can continue to protect our benefits.

Please contact me at the Union Office if you have any questions. Keep enjoying your summer and don't let the stores putting out 'Back to School' displays start stealing your joy. Image removed. In solidarity!