Supporting Local 372 workers

WHEREAS the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has announced plans to lay off up to 765 school support employees represented by Local 372 of District Council 37, AFSCME AFL-CIO, in October, 2011, as a budget-cutting measure; and

WHEREAS over the course of the past three years some 1,600 school aides, health aides, parent coordinators, family assistants and other valuable support service positions have already been lost due to budget cuts; and

WHEREAS these workers perform valuable services and are crucial to New York City public schools’ ability to offer students and parents the high-quality education they deserve and are entitled to under the New York State constitution; and

WHEREAS the loss of these additional employees will hinder parental communication with educators and limit or eliminate school programs and services; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) support the efforts of Local 372 workers and their union representatives to fight the proposed layoffs; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT support a District Council 37 rally for affected Local 372 workers in front of City Hall on October 4 and ask UFT members to wear black shirts, dresses or other attire as a sign of solidarity with those workers on October 7; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT, through the New York Teacher, further publicize the situation regarding Local 372 to better inform our members about the importance of their struggle.