Fourteen PSC chapters will be electing officers this spring, along with delegates and alternates to the PSC Delegate Assembly and members of the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund Advisory Council. Vote and make sure your voice is heard. Ballots were mailed to members’ home addresses on April 3, 2017. Ballots in uncontested elections must be received at the PSC office by 5:00 pm on April 27, 2017. Ballots in contested elections must be received at the office of the American Arbitration Association by 5:00 pm on April 27, 2017. They will be counted at 10:00 AM on April 28, 2017. Click here for PSC election rules and more details.
A Late State Budget Means You Can Still Contact Your Legislators
The State budget is late. Lawmakers have announced plans to pass a budget extender bill that would keep the government functioning until May 31, but they hope to reach an agreement much sooner. The extender will maintain funding for state operations at current levels. College affordability and funding remain a critical issue. PSC members sent more than 3,000 letters to Albany last week—but it’s not too late to add yours. Please click here to email letters to Senate Majority Leader Flanagan, Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Klein and Assembly Speaker Heastie. And click here to submit a letter to Governor Cuomo’s web form.
Labor Goes to the Movies Presents: Ossessione –Fri., Apr. 7
PSC’s film series will explore the theme “The Politics of Genre” with a screening of Ossessione (Visconti, 1943) on Fri., Apr. 7 in the PSC Union Hall (61 Broadway, 16th floor). An adaptation of the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain, Ossessione is one of the earliest examples of Italian neo-realism. Learn more. Doors open at 6 PM. Refreshments provided. There is a $2 suggested donation.
People’s Filibuster | #WeObject to Judge Gorsuch
PSC Secretary Nivedita Majumdar spoke Saturday at the People’s Filibuster rally in Foley Square, part of a national day of action to demand that Senate Democrats resist the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch and take a real stand for working people. Video of the event is posted here on the Working Families Party Facebook page. Majumdar speaks at about the 32:00 time stamp, right after NYC Public Advocate Letitia James. The Senate is expected to start voting this week on the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. On Social media, follow #WeObject and #StopGorsuch to connect with the campaign.
Fighting for Fairness Rally at LIU—Thurs., Apr. 6
PSC members and academic unionists from throughout the state will rally in solidarity with faculty at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University this Thurs., Apr. 6 at 11:00 AM. Join us! The LIU faculty stayed strong during an infamous lockout in the fall of 2016 and negotiated a contract extension through May 31, 2017. They are now at a critical juncture in their current contract campaign. Negotiations have broken down, and the faculty are at risk for another lockout when the current agreement sunsets. Email PSC Organizing Director Deirdre Brill at [email protected] to let us know you’ll be there.
People’s Climate March, Washington D.C.—Apr. 29
Seats on the Bus Are Still Available
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order last week dismantling many of the Obama administrations’ policies to combat climate change. Trump has surrounded himself with fossil fuel advocates and climate change deniers and plans to drop U.S. support for the Paris climate agreement. The People’s Climate March in Washington on April 29 will be a powerful way to show mass resistance to Trump’s attack on the environment. (Read about it in Clarion.) The PSC is sponsoring two buses for members at reduced cost. One will leave from lower Manhattan and the other from Brooklyn. Click here to reserve a place on a bus and make your payment.
Visit the online calendar for locations and more information
Lehman College PSC Adjunct Meeting, Apr 4, 3:30pm
HEO Chapter Mass Meeting, Apr 4, 6:00pm
Graduate Center RF Meeting, April 5, 2:00pm
Lehman College PSC Adjunct Meeting, Apr 5, 3:30pm
Legislation Committee Meeting, Apr 5, 6:00pm
Fighting for Fairness Rally at LIU, Apr 6, 11:00am
Safety Net Committee Meeting, Apr 6, 11:30am
Labor Goes to the Movies: Ossessione, Apr 7, 6:00pm