Educators Speak Out at NYC Labor Day Parade

Aaricka Washington
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

This year, teachers nationwide are raising their voices outside of the classroom. From Arizona to West Virginia, teachers are striking over low pay and poor working conditions. In Connecticut, Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, is running to become the state’s first African-American Democratic congresswoman.

New York City teachers are pushing many of the same issues, though they have not gone on strike, due to a 1967 law which prohibits public employees from striking. City teachers have not participated in a strike in the last 40 years.

But that doesn’t stop New York City educators and school staff from speaking out.

On Saturday, 1,200 United Federation of Teachers union members wore their cobalt blue-and-white UFT T-shirts to march up Fifth Avenue in celebration of their union.

One of those educators was Siu Chia, a paraprofessional who teaches special-education students at P.S. 506 in Brooklyn.

Siu Chia teaches special-education students in Brooklyn.

I came from a third world country, Malaysia,” Chia said. “In my country, we have no unions. With UFT, we have a voice.”

Chia said that as the union representative at her school, she has become knowledgeable about rights listed in her contract — and what is not in the contract between the Department of Education and the union.

“Teachers do everything that they ask us to do, but we don’t have to do that,” Chia said. “I can talk to my principal, say, ‘This is the contract,’ and sometimes, they also don’t know.”

Laura Parker, 70 years old, is a retired teacher who worked with students with special needs at Eleanor Roosevelt High School for 42 years.

Laura Parker is a 70 year old retired teacher who worked with students with special needs at Eleanor Roosevelt High School for 42 years.

Parker said that one of the top issues that teachers face is helping students with special needs deal with standardized testing.

“They are never going to be able to pass those tests,” Parker said. “They should make a test for them, according to their level.”

While contract negotiations are underway, UFT President Michael Mulgrew said he is working on finding solutions where schools can be more collaborative and give teachers the tools they need to succeed.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew at the post-parade barbeque for union members and their families.

“We deal with the largest, most diverse, most challenging school population in the country,” Mulgrew said in an interview. “We’re not going to get it done the old way.”

Labor New York

Covering jobs and the economy in New York City

Aaricka Washington

Written by

Teacher/Education Beat Reporter @ColumbiaJourn ’19 Contact me: adw2182@columbia.edu — Also known as theunsungstoryteller

Labor New York

Covering jobs and the economy in New York City

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade