Call Your Legislators Now! Demand Real Tax Reform.
After months of pressure from organized labor, grassroots campaigns and Occupy groups, Governor Cuomo has finally signaled his willingness to “restructure” the state tax code as part of a larger economic plan. Lawmakers are in Albany this week meeting in conference and preparing for a possible special legislative session. Now is the time to press for an end to policies that put the interests of the rich above the needs of CUNY students and millions of other ordinary New Yorkers. Call your Assembly Member and State Senator right now via the AFL-CIO action line at 877-255-94170. (Find out who represents you.)
When you call, tell them: “Any deal you make on tax reform must be progressive and must fill the $5-billion hole that will be created if the millionaires’ tax expires. And the revenue from tax reform must go to restoring funds for CUNY and other vital services.”
A list of other actions you can take, a fact sheet about taxes in New York and a flyer with the call-in info are all available on the PSC website, along with a statement from PSC President Barbara Bowen.
Forum on CUNY & Race—December 9
Join us this Friday evening at the New York City College of Technology for a forum examining the preliminary findings of PSC’s study on how race, gender and ethnicity affect hiring, promotion, tenure and reclassification at CUNY. The study’s research team and members of the union’s anti-racism committee will host the event and lead a discussion on the project and its early findings. (For more information and to RSVP, click here.)
Stand For Freedom March and Rally—December 10
March with us Saturday to oppose voter suppression in all its forms. This year, two-thirds of state legislatures have introduced laws that undermine the right to vote. The right to vote is the heart of our democracy. We cannot let it be taken away from millions of Americans. That is why we’re marching with coalition partners from the labor movement, the faith community and immigrants’ rights groups. The march will begin at 11 AM at the Koch Brothers’ offices at 61st & Madison Ave. It will progress to Hammarskjold Plaza at the UN, 47th & 2nd Ave. Learn more.
Sign the 9 for the 99% Petition, and Add a Demand of Your Own!
The PSC is working with the AFT and AFL-CIO, our national affiliates, to press Congress with eight demands that will make our country stronger and fairer—and we want your input, too. Please sign on to the 9 demands of the 99%, and fill out the ninth demand, which gives you the opportunity to tell us what you think America needs to end economic inequality.
Labor Goes to the Movies This Friday
“Lessons” is the theme of this year’s Labor Goes to the Movies film series. This month, we explore that theme with Jonah who will be 25 in the year 2000, a 1976 film by Swiss director Alain Tanner. The film looks forward to the possibilities of this, our new millennium, from out of the shadows of May ’68. It tells the story of eight people—one of them an unorthodox high school history teacher—trying, in diverse ways, to free themselves from the institutional and societal constraints. The film will be presented this Friday evening in the Union Hall from 6:00-9:00 PM. Learn more here.
Join the Conversation
We’ve activated the comments function on the PSC website for Clarion pieces addressing the Occupy Wall Street movement and the defense of public higher education. Please share your thoughts.
