Dear Brothers & Sisters:
Recent headlines document that our struggle to survive is real. Attacks on Seniority (LIFO), attacks on tenure, etc. Our well-funded enemies are still everywhere. With this contract ratification vote on May 11th 7 a.m.-7 p.m. We have an opportunity to show the boss that we do care about collective bargaining agreements, we do care about students, contracts, benefits, and all the promises and protections these provide. Union Democracy is not an app, nor a "Like" a vote. Here at the NTU, we gets calls every week from charter school teachers wishing they had a contract.
The powers that be accuse you of being too apathetic, that you will not care enough about the contract to even bother to vote for ratification—let’s do everything we can, starting today, to get a 100% turnout for the contract ratification vote on May 11th . Remember, contract ratification is determined by a majority of votes cast by active union members. Example: only 3 members vote. 2 of the 3 vote NO—the contract is not approved, and we must go back to square one; no retro, no nothing.
So let’s all do everything we can to Get Out The Vote next Thursday; car pools, Ubershare,
John M Abeigon
President & Director of Organization
Newark Teachers Union, Local 481, AFT, AFL-CIO