Letters to the Editor

Retirees show their solidarity

Jun 5, 2008 12:13 PM

To the Editor:

On Tuesday, May 27, more than 100 UFT retirees climbed the steps of City Hall and sat down in the City Council chambers to listen to Chancellor Joel Klein explain his huge budget cuts for our schools and to answer questions of City Council members.

We didn’t just sit there. We expressed our outrage as loyal UFT members.

Because the hearing was held at 9 a.m., it was not possible for our in-service members to be present. So the RTC — led by our chapter leader, Tom Pappas — organized the effort to bring retirees to City Hall to represent the UFT. It was important that UFT members be present at the hearing so that the chancellor could get the message that we do not accept his testimony.

Retirees are mindful that union solidarity is of the utmost importance. Retirees have in the past and will continue to show full support for our brothers and sisters who are in-service. After all, isn’t that the meaning of solidarity?

Abe Levine, retired