Norm Scott over at Ed Notes Online published a piece this morning with some great news on rank and file teachers organizing around the STCaucus.  Norm reports that PS8 teachers in the Bronx, and UFT members, have submitted 61 membership forms to STCaucus.

Here is the letter to the STCaucus leadership that accompanied the membership registration forms…

May 21, 2015

Dear ST Caucus Leaders:

Enclosed you will find sixty-one membership forms and checks from teachers who work at PS 8 in the Bronx. We are still collecting forms and money and will hopefully have some more to send as we continue to reach out to the staff in our school. Some teachers contributed more than the $10 membership fee. Use the money as you see fit.

We are all members of the United Federation of Teachers and NYSUT. We thank you for your earnest support and your willingness to stand up for NY teachers despite the fact that Unity-Caucus-controlled NYSUT and UFT leadership are working against you.

We are not blind to the failures of our union leadership. Nor are we blind to the fact that they willingly fail us in order to serve their self-interests.

We serve no masters but we will support any caucus or group within our union(s) who are like minded.

We are independent thinkers whose allegiance is to truth, fairness and transparency. We believe we do not have to hide behind children while fighting for our dignity.

We reject the premise that the best interests of teachers are diametrically opposed to the best interests of the children we teach. We believe it is time to demand the respect we deserve and to challenge those who attack us with their lies, manipulation and obfuscation as well as challenge those within our own union(s) who have allowed for these continued attacks on their watch. We appreciate that a group of unsung heroes has our back, and we sincerely thank you for it.

Yours in solidarity,

Roseanne McCosh – PS 8 UFT Delegate and NYSUT Member

Cynthia Pacelli – UFT Chapter Leader and NYSUT Member

Lori Matta – UFT Delegate and NYSUT Member

Cc: Michael Mulgrew – UFT President

Karen Magee – NYSUT President

Similar organizing efforts have been taking place within other local schools across the state.  I know many members of the PJSTA are submitting forms as well.  James Eterno mentioned several other UFT members doing the same last week.  This all continues to point to the development of STCaucus as a rising force within New York State and possibly beyond.  Unlike UFT Unity Caucus, which has always been invite only, and the NYS Unity Caucus which has historically been open only to NYSUT delegates, STCaucus is a caucus organized by rank and file teachers, for rank and file teachers, for the purpose of pushing for a more democratic union that fights for the schools that our students, teachers, and communities deserve.

Once again, here is the registration form.  You can submit that with a check for $10 to the address at the bottom of the form.  Print them out, distribute them in your schools.  Encourage your colleagues and friends who are teachers to join the caucus.  If you have questions I know that caucus representatives in every region of the state are happy to visit with general membership to address those questions.