Do you know that NSYUT continues to work to educate our lawmakers on issues that are important to those of us who made their career in schools across New York?
Do you know what VOTE COPE is? Many think it is only about endorsing candidates who support the policies and goals of NYSUT members. That is one small part of what this fund does. VOTE COPE stands for Voice Of Teachers in Education - Committee On Political Education.
It was lobbying and myriad other political action efforts that secured our pensions, our tenure, our benefits and our right to bargain collectively. We have enjoyed "protections" equal to those of any public employee in the entire United States. None of these victories could have been won without VOTE-COPE.
Retirees have a long history of supporting VOTE-COPE. It is not just about protecting the pension checks we worked so hard for. We also have a responsibility to stand with and support newer educators as they fight to protect the joy of our profession. We need to continue to do our part to keep our Union strong, and well-equipped to fight off attacks on our retirement security.
PLEASE- sign up for VOTE COPE by going to this link for pension deduction. VOTE COPE Pension Deduction Form This makes it convienient to contribute.
One of the items that are being worked on is fixing Tier 6. Just like we lobbied and worked to fix tier 2 before, we need to work to get both Tier 5 and 6 corrected. A gain was made in that vesting has been corrected to 5 years instead of 10 but... there is much to do to ensure that our members will have retirements that will allow them a dignified retirement. Join us in an effort to fix these tiers- can you pledge $6 per month to fix tier 6? (or a multiple of 6?) Please follow the above link to do your pension deduction for VOTE COPE.