Retired paraprofessional Judith Ackerman (foreground) and retired teachers Ronni Engelmyer (center) and Annmarie James staff an RTC phone bank at UFT headquarters on Oct. 15 to help get out the vote for Election Day. They made calls in support of several incumbents with pro-public education and pro-labor records, including U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, state Attorney General Letitia James and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. “I must get everybody to vote,” said Ackerman, who retired in 2008. “This is the worst time in history that I’ve ever experienced.” The RTC scheduled 10 in-person phone banks at 52 Broadway during October. On Oct. 17, RTC members took a bus to Westchester County to canvass for Cait Conley, who is running to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District. Phone-bank organizer Michelle Rayvid, the RTC’s assistant treasurer, said volunteers were committed to the work. “People have made friendships. It’s a social thing for retirees — they come in the afternoon, and we serve lunch, coffee and snacks,” Rayvid said. Some even made calls from home for the UFT’s national affiliate, the AFT. Barbara Bolton, who retired from teaching 24 years ago, said phone-banking is “the small bit that I can contribute to being a good citizen and getting out the vote.” Retired teacher Jocelyn Brathwaite showed up for phone-banking twice a week. “It’s the easiest way to keep myself involved in the election,” she said.