3/23/2010: Resolution Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the United Federation of Teachers
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Senate Resolution No. 4412
BY: Senator SAMPSON
COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
United Federation of Teachers
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of the United Federation of Teachers as it celebrates its
50th Anniversary in March 2010; and
WHEREAS, Dignity and respect, professionalism, due process,
competitive wages and benefits are all critical parts of the teaching
profession; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years ago, those things didn't exist for teachers in
New York City’s public schools and a patchwork of more than 100
different and often competing organizations were available for educators
to join, but there was no one true voice and advocate for students and
Teachers; and
WHEREAS, That all changed when a small group of visionaries who
Believed that educators and their students were being shortchanged
successfully fought to unify the various organizations and created the
United Federation of Teachers (UFT) on March 16, 1960; and
WHEREAS, In a first step toward winning independence and dignity for
city teachers, on November 7, 1960, a one-day walkout by 5,000 teachers,
brought forth promises of collective-bargaining rights from the city and
eventually the union's first contract in June 1962; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, the UFT started a college scholarship fund that
continues to give out $1 million a year to high-achieving needy city
public school graduates; and
WHEREAS, In April 1970, public school paraprofessionals joined
teachers and other non-supervisory school staff as UFT members; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, the UFT launched the Dial-A-Teacher homework
assistance program, which now answers over 75,000 calls a year from
Students and parents seeking help with homework; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the city's 30,000 family childcare providers voted
to join the UFT, marking its largest expansion since its formation; and
WHEREAS, The UFT currently represents over 200,000 teachers,
Paraprofessionals, non-supervisory school staff, nurses, family
childcare providers, other professional staff and retired members; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing that the interests of school children and their
teachers are inseparable, the UFT combines its roles as a trade
organization and an influential children’s lobby to help make every
public school a place where parents want to send their children and
where educators want to work; and
WHEREAS, The UFT is a tireless advocate for quality public education
and has strongly supported and often led efforts to raise academic
standards, strengthen instruction, reduce class size, create safer, more
Orderly schools, improve school facilities, and increase parent
involvement in schools; and
WHEREAS, March 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of the union's
formation and its ongoing successful efforts to strengthen the education
profession and New York City public schools; and
WHEREAS, During those 50 years, the UFT has been led by five
visionary teachers as its president, Charles Cogen, Albert Shanker,
Sandy Feldman, Randi Weingarten and now Michael Mulgrew; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when
associations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United Federation of Teachers;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the United Federation of Teachers.
