NYCsocialist.orgWhat can activists in NYC learn from the struggle of L.A. teachers?
Despite UTLA’s last minute cancellation of the one day strike planned for May 15th—after a draconian injunction against the strike which was an open declaration of war on their union--thousands of teachers called in sick, rallied around the city and staged acts of civil disobedience to protest layoffs and budget cuts. This comes on the heels of over a year of organizing which included a one hour strike last year, mass rallies and scores of local actions, student walkouts and over 20 parent-community forums in the past 6 weeks alone. Their fight is our fight. Facing the same assault on public education that we are witnessing in NYC – from budget cuts, the invasion of charter schools, and massive increases in testing -- UTLA is currently pointing the way forward. As their fight continues, we need to support their struggle and learn from their experience about how unions can and should fight against the assaults on our schools. Come to an informal discussion sponsored by teachers in the International Socialist Organization to discuss what we can learn from our brothers and sisters in the UTLA and how we can use these lessons in our fight to defend public education in NYC.
Friday, May 22nd
4:30 P.M. Karavas 162 West 4th Street
(corner of Carmine St. near 6th Ave)
Take the A/C/D/E/F to W 4th Street
We are a group of NYC teachers who are members of the International Socialist Organization (ISO). We support and participate in the rank-n-file movements to reform and democratize the United Federation of Teachers. We oppose the attacks on public education and teachers’ unions and instead demand fully funded schools, an end to school segregation and an end to a school system driven by the focus on standardized testing. We believe that such reforms can be won through a grassroots movement connecting parents, students and teachers.
While we support these important movements for reform, we believe that as long as we have a system whose driving force is profit, with all the associated broader inequalities (e.g., unequal access to employment and health care), a truly just and democratic educational system is impossible. We fight for a socialist world—a society based on human need, not profit—one where important decisions on the allocation of resources are not left in the hands of CEOs, but are determined by ordinary people.
To find out more about ISO teachers events or to RVSP, please email EBehrent@gmail.com or call (347) 489-0401.
Take the A/C/D/E/F to W 4th Street
We are a group of NYC teachers who are members of the International Socialist Organization (ISO). We support and participate in the rank-n-file movements to reform and democratize the United Federation of Teachers. We oppose the attacks on public education and teachers’ unions and instead demand fully funded schools, an end to school segregation and an end to a school system driven by the focus on standardized testing. We believe that such reforms can be won through a grassroots movement connecting parents, students and teachers.
While we support these important movements for reform, we believe that as long as we have a system whose driving force is profit, with all the associated broader inequalities (e.g., unequal access to employment and health care), a truly just and democratic educational system is impossible. We fight for a socialist world—a society based on human need, not profit—one where important decisions on the allocation of resources are not left in the hands of CEOs, but are determined by ordinary people.
To find out more about ISO teachers events or to RVSP, please email EBehrent@gmail.com or call (347) 489-0401.
