Last Week to Gather Signatures for the Pathways Petition
Now is the time to make sure you and your colleagues have signed the petition to repeal and replace Pathways. Signatures received by the end of the day on Thursday, April 26 will be included when the petition is presented to the Board of Trustees at its April 30 meeting. (Email Deirdre Brill if you’d like to sign up to be at the Trustees meeting when the petitions are handed in.)
Almost 4,800 verified signatures from CUNY faculty, staff and retirees are on the petition as of today, Monday, April 23. Check the list of signatories on the PSC website to see who from your campus has (and hasn’t yet) signed on. To make sure everyone has had a chance to sign the petition before the deadline, download a paper copy to take around campus or email the link to the online petition to your colleagues. Make sure to return all signed copies of the paper petition to the PSC office by Thursday, April 26. The online petition will close at the same time.
May Day March and Rally, Tuesday, May 1
NYC’s labor unions, community activists and Occupy Wall Street are joining together in a single demonstration in support of immigrant and worker rights on Tuesday, May 1, May Day. The May Day celebration will begin with a 4:00 p.m. rally in Union Square. The rally will be followed by a 5:30 p.m. march to Foley Square and on to Wall Street. PSC members should contact John Gergely to let us know you’ll be attending the march and rally. The PSC contingent will gather at 5:00 p.m., for the purpose of marching together, at the northeast part of Union Square Park opposite Barnes & Noble. Look for our big red picket signs.
Earlier in the day, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a coalition of students and educators from colleges and universities throughout the city is hosting The Free University of New York at Madison Square Park. Volunteers will present classes, workshops and trainings in the park at that event before heading over to Union Square for the big rally and march. (Learn more.)
Visit the PSC website to read a short piece on the history and resurgence of May Day, the international workers’ holiday, then download a flier to help spread the word.
Forum: Chris Hedges on Occupy Global— Friday, May 4
Next Friday, May 4, the PSC International Committee will host a forum at the PSC union hall (61 Broadway, 16th floor) examining popular resistance in Egypt, Greece and the United States. Speakers will include American journalist Chris Hedges, Egyptian political activist and researcher Omar El Shafei, and research fellow on Greek politics at Columbia University Neni Panourgia. A buffet will be available from 5:30-6:00 p.m. and the program will run from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Read the speakers’ bios and download a flier.
PSC Elections End This Friday. Don’t Forget to Mail Your Ballots.
Completed ballots for PSC elections must be received by April 27. They will be counted on April 30. If you believe you are eligible to vote and have not received a ballot, or if you would like to be an observer at the vote-count, call Barbara Gabriel immediately at 212-354-1252. (More information)
A Change of Leadership at AAUP
Congratulations to our own Anne Friedman, PSC’s vice president for community colleges, who was elected by a strong majority to a regional seat on the National Council of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Change is in the air at AAUP. A slate of challengers, Organizing for Change, swept the election for national leadership positions and all but one of the At-large National Council seats. The officers of the PSC were pleased to have offered their individual endorsements to Anne, and to the newly-elected AAUP officers, including President Rudy Fichtenbaum.
April 30: TRS Document Deadline for New Applicants
Adjuncts who applied to join TRS before April 1, but have not yet submitted all required documents have until Monday, April 30. Don’t miss this deadline—if you do, your enrollment will not take effect. (More information)
