Resolution as to a special recognition and tribute to Randi Weingarten:

Oct 16, 2009 1:59 PM

WHEREAS, the United Federation of Teachers has had the honor of Randi Weingarten’s service for the last 25 years, including over a decade as our leader and our president; and

WHEREAS, in New York City and across the nation Randi is known as a powerful voice of teacher unionism, as a dedicated educator committed to the education of all children, especially those with the greatest needs, and as a passionate union leader whose thirst for economic justice is never quenched; and

WHEREAS, Randi has made securing the dignity and professional status of the women and men who take on the great responsibility of educating New York City’s youth into her personal mission; and

WHEREAS, as chief negotiator for the UFT, Randi opened up the process to rank and file participation with the 300 person negotiating committee and won salary increases of over 43% over the last six years; and

WHEREAS, as various threats to public education had been mounted over the last two decades there has been no more fierce advocate for public schools than Randi; and

WHEREAS, under Randi’s leadership, the UFT has forged a new and powerful alliance and community of interest with education, advocacy, parent and community-based organizations, overcoming the generation-long divisions opened up with the 1968 strikes; and

WHEREAS, with Randi’s and the UFT’s full support the historic Campaign for Fiscal Equity case was won and a process of bringing educational justice and full educational opportunity to students in New York City and other urban settings across New York State; and

WHEREAS, by her courageous example, Randi has advanced the cause of full civil rights for lesbian and gay teachers and lesbian and gay working people; and

WHEREAS, Randi has earned a well-deserved reputation as a leading advocate of educational change and innovation, pioneering such experiments as our own charter schools, the Lead Teacher program and school-wide bonuses; and

WHEREAS, at a time when American labor has been on the defensive, its numbers shrinking and its power diminishing, the UFT under Randi’s leadership has conducted the largest organizing drive in New York City in almost four decades, adding tens of thousands of new members and grown in size, stature and power; and

WHEREAS, as the tribune of New York City public school educators, Randi Weingarten has successfully led us through many perils and challenges and now leaves our profession and our union stronger than ever; be it therefore

RESOLVED that on the occasion of her decision to step down as our local president to devote herself completely to her responsibilities as the president of our national union, the American Federation of Teachers, the United Federation of Teachers gives our deepest thanks to our sister, Randi Weingarten, for her years of dedicated service to New York City public school teachers and New York City public school children, and that in honor of the place she will always have in our hearts, the UFT establish the office of President Emeritus and confer it upon Randi Weingarten.

Passed at June 24, 2009 Delegate Assembly.