The Offical Website of the PJSTA

Posted on October 28, 2014 by thepjsta

Howie Hawkins, Brian Jones, and Where they Stand on Public Education

Yesterday the PJSTA hosted an approximate 50 people who came out to hear gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins speak. Hawkins, the Green Party candidate endorsed by the PJSTA, is the only pro-public education candidate in the election.

To see where each candidate stands on issues related to public education click here: GOVERNORS RACE SIDE BY SIDE

To listen to Hawkins and his running mate, Brian Jones, talk about the issues related to public education, check out the videos below…

Hawkins and Jones on Teacher Tenure

Hawkins and Jones on the Triborough Amendment

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Posted on October 22, 2014 by thepjsta

Come Meet Gubernatorial Candidate Howie Hawkins!

Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, running as the Green Party candidate, will be at Comsewogue High School next Monday, October 27th at 4:00 pm for a meet and greet. Hawkins, who has been endorsed by the PJSTA, the BTF, and others, has an education platform that all public school students, teachers, and parents can get behind. Please come out and meet Mr. Hawkins next Monday. Be sure to share with your friends and family as well!

To hear a bit about where Hawkins stands on public education watch the video below…

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Posted on October 17, 2014 by thepjsta

Buffalo Teachers Federation Join PJSTA in Endorsing Howie Hawkins for Governor

Earlier this month the PJSTA became the first teachers union to endorse the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins in his bid for governor in this fall’s election. On Thursday night we were joined by one of the state’s largest locals, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, who voted unanimously last night to endorse Hawkins and his running mate Brian Jones.

Via State of Politics…

Also last night, the Buffalo Teachers Federation voted unanimously to endorse Hawkins, according to his campaign, becoming the third teachers union to back his minor party gubernatorial bid.

In the same article we find this interesting bit about Andrew Cuomo’s Democratic primary opponent, Zephyr Teachout…

As for Teachout herself, she is still on a statewide tour promoting her new book, “Corruption in America”, and simultaneously trying to help the Senate Democrats’ in their quest to re-take the majority.

Teachout has not yet issued an endorsement in the governor’s race.

Hawkins said earlier this month that he spoke to Teachout about backing him, and she’s “open” to the idea. It’s highly unlikely she’ll support her erstwhile primary opponent, Cuomo, before the Nov. 4 election.

Send Well Wishes to Karen Lewis

By now you may have heard about the unfortunate illness that Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is battling.

Today the CTU released details on how you can send Karen your well wishes.

Via the CTU Blog…

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis is recovering well from last week’s surgery and appreciates the outpouring of love and support from across the world. If you wish to send a card, letter, flowers or other get well greetings, please send them to the Chicago Teachers Union office.

Chicago Teachers Union
Cards for Karen c/o Audrey May
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, #400
Chicago, IL 60654

Beth Dimino, Karen Lewis, and Brian St. Pierre this summer in Chicago.

Labor Notes Book Party

Thank you to all of the PJSTA members who attended tonight’s Labor Notes Book Party about the book How to Jump-Start Your Union: Lessons from the Chicago Teachers. Joining a healthy representation of PJSTA members were teachers from districts such as Mount Sinai, Patchogue-Medford, Port Jefferson, Levittown, and Shoreham-Wading River.

We were joined tonight by Mark Brenner and Samantha Winslow of Labor Notes. Brenner and Winslow were also two of the authors of the book. Brenner spoke about his unique experiences as a teacher and now writer for Labor Notes. He provided valuable insights into what has been effective in Chicago and other areas of the country where teachers are fighting back against harmful education reforms.

We were also joined by Brian Jones who has experience in trying to build a more member drive union from his work helping to build the MORE Caucus in the UFT. Jones is currently the Green Party’s candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Jones and running mate Howie Hawkins, who is running for governor, have been formally endorsed by the PJSTA.