The Voice

Echoing the words of Robert F. Kennedy, NYSUT leaders urged delegates at the 37th annual Representative Assembly (RA) to “speak up and speak out” on important union issues at a time when organized labor is under attack from many quarters.

The RA also had a strong social justice focus that meshed with its “Speak Up, Speak Out” theme, taken from remarks Kennedy made in June 1961 to the Joint Defense Appeal of the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith.

Anyone who has been involved in UUP during the last four decades has most likely crossed paths with Thomas Matthews of Geneseo—and walked away with a smile. His soft-spoken manner and uncompromising principles define this longtime activist who has helped to shape the union’s mission from the beginning.

Among Matthews’ key roles in UUP: He has served as the union’s statewide treasurer and vice president for professionals, and he is UUP’s only two-time chief negotiator, leading the way on the oft- contentious 1994-1999 and 1999-2003 contracts.

It’s this tireless devotion to higher education unionism that earned Matthews this year’s NYSUT Higher Education Member of the Year Award. He received the award during the 37th annual NYSUT Representative Assembly April 2-4 in Buffalo.

Two newsletters produced by UUP members earned a total of five awards for outstanding writing and design.

The Active Retiree and the Farmingdale Unifier were feted at the annual NYSUT journalism awards luncheon at the 2009 RA in Buffalo. The competition is sponsored by New York Teacher.

The Active Retiree won Awards of Merit for general excellence and best editorial, and an honorable mention for best news story.

“This well-designed, well-written and well-edited newsletter sends a clear message: Retirees as activists and difference-makers,” is how the judges described the newsletter, which is published for the more than 3,300 retiree members of UUP.

The editorial “Health care should be a priority in this election,” by Judith Wishnia of SUNY Stony Brook, also earned high marks from the judges. “This editorial is not just well-written and well-organized, it does an excellent job of backing up its point with a number of factual references.”