You made the difference on Nov. 2

Michael Mulgrew, UFT President Thank you.

On Election Day, we did what the critics thought we couldn’t do. Facing seemingly impossible odds in several key races, we dug in and did the work that we’re known for — grassroots community engagement. We mobilized and we energized, house by house and neighborhood by neighborhood. And in 157 of 170 races where we made endorsements, we won, picking up two important Senate seats along the way.

It was your hard work and commitment that made it possible. Again, thank you.

All UFT members made a difference in their own way. Some used their time before class to hand out leaflets and speak with parents. Some used their afternoons to make calls. Some spent their weekends knocking on doors and participating in labor walks. And some volunteered on the campaigns themselves, bringing a candidate’s message to voters across their communities.

In Queens, our members flooded key districts, helping to put Tony Avella and Joe Addabbo over the top. Members from the Bronx and Manhattan took aim at a David vs. Goliath Senate race in Rockland and Orange counties, where we were able to help David — in this case David Carlucci — win decisively.

Behind the scenes, it was a similar story. Our print shop went into overdrive these last few weeks, arming our members with the tools they needed to spread the word about candidates, and then running 24/7 to get out a huge late mailing about Eric Schneiderman and Tom DiNapoli.

It was an amazing show of force, and everyone took notice. Even the New York Post op-ed page, no fan of unions or teachers, had to admit that the UFT played a key role in many races, including Avella’s. Avella’s opponent, a popular incumbent who held the post for four decades, had been ahead in the polls by 25 points before the UFT made its endorsement.

Funny — just days before the election, one tabloid was pontificating about how the union is losing its power. None of us should hold our breath waiting for a retraction.

It just goes to show that money and media firepower can’t replace the passion of true volunteers. That commitment to our schools and our communities is why we stand apart from others.

Our work is always hard. The usual suspects and the status quo crowd will continue to do their best to stand in our way, trying to use issues like seniority and tenure to divide us while pushing their own political agendas. The shameless attacks on teachers and unions will also keep coming. Our opponents are always happy to use fear and finger-pointing rather than talk about what children and educators really need. These are people who want to divide the middle and working classes rather than putting the focus on the rich who just keep getting richer and want to keep it that way.

Bad economic news will also continue to loom, with the city and the state both facing multi-billion-dollar deficits. There will be major battles over how to make up the shortfalls, and we can expect the typical shortsighted proposals such as layoffs and cutbacks to soon be rolled out, rather than sensible alternatives that we know are the better options, such as retirement incentives and a reduction to the Department of Education’s sole-source outside contracts.

When you read the papers or watch the news, you might come away thinking that everything is stacked against us. The arrogance of those who are leading these attacks will be their undoing, just like it was on Election Day. Be proud and hold your head up high.