PSC Delegates Advance Resolution in Defense of Higher Education at NYSUT Assembly

PSC delegates spent the May Day weekend in Rochester, New York, for the annual Representative Assembly (RA) of our statewide affiliate, NYSUT. The conference was a lively and productive opportunity to meet and collaborate with members of other education-related unions from every corner of New York State, and included visits and remarks from AFT President Randi Weingarten, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and rank-and-file union members and students from across New York. 

The PSC brought a a resolution to the convention calling for a forceful defense of higher education institutions in the face of the current unprecedented attacks on research funding and academic freedom. After powerful speeches by PSC President James Davis, UUP President Fred Kowal, and Roberta Elins of SUNY’s Community Colleges, the resolution was unanimously passed by the 1,500-delegate body. PSC delegates also contributed to other important business at the RA, sitting on a range of issue-specific committees and organizing an Environmental Justice discussion session to share strategy with other locals.

The NYSUT RA coincided with May Day observances in Rochester, and PSC delegates joined a spirited rally and march with unionists and community allies from the region. Delegates also walked the picket line with graduate workers at the University of Rochester who are on strike demanding that the University agree to a fair election to let them secure collective bargaining representation.

The RA weekend was a powerful opportunity to develop and exercise our union’s solidarity and commitment to collective struggle. PSC members will continue working hard to ensure our vision of a collective response to the threats to our profession is carried out, using our affiliates as vehicles to strengthen our union, and defending the work and safety of all our members.