NY teacher union to sit out governor's race

[hrmjustin]

(AP) -- New York's powerful teachers' union will sit out of this year's governor's race, announcing Thursday that it won't endorse Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, his liberal primary challenger, Zephyr Teachout, or any of the other contenders.

Despite a fierce debate about how to endorse in the race, members of New York State United Teachers organization decided its best move was not to back any candidate, according to Andrew Pallotta, union executive vice president. He said hundreds of members participated in three days of meetings this week to discuss the union's endorsements.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140814/POLITICS/140819923/ny-teacher-union-to-sit-out-governors-race

[merrily]

1. Votes and endorsements must be earned.

Politicians a hundred years ago knew that. Lobbyists have made them forget. But lobbyists and the rest of the 10% can't elect squat.

Hence, dirty tricks, vote caging, voting machines with no verification, ballot access issues, etc.

We put up with too much for too long.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Good. I take it as an anti-endorsement of Cuomo.

.

I remember resenting it when, as a teacher years ago, my own union (CTA) would run spots saying such things as "all 310,000 teachers support...".

What an absurd statement, and a lie, and I'm glad to have moved on in my career.

And, membership was mandatory to the position. I seem to recall a proposition that would have allowed opting out of paying the portion of dues that went toward political messaging.

I'm pro-union, but I really resented these aspects of this union.