New York State United Teachers
The fact-finding committee recommended a collective bargaining law, which eventually was forced onto the city's Board of Education by the state of New York.Despite a battle royale with the National Education Association (NEA), an infusion of cash by the AFT and the AFL–CIO enabled the UFT to win the December 16, 1961, election with 61.8 percent of the votes.In 1967, the New York state legislature passed the Taylor Law, which provided collective bargaining rights to public employees.Shortly after, the executive director and other staff members of NYSTA began to meet with Shanker and his aides to discuss the possibility of a merger.NYSUT and UTNY had sought and won approval for the merger from both parent unions, but tensions with the NEA quickly became apparent.NEA responded to the disaffiliation move by setting up a rival state organization, the New York Educators Association (NYEA).Over the next quarter-century, NYEA's membership stagnated, while NYSUT's exploded thanks to its leaders' decision to recruit members outside the field of education.In 1979, the union began organizing registered nurses and other health care professionals in both public and private sector hospitals and clinics.The union adopted UTNY's Committee of 100 program, a group of many more than 100 members who agreed to lobby the state legislature in person twice each year.Many school districts ceased to honor clauses they disliked in expired teacher union contracts, which led many locals to strike.The Triborough Amendment required school districts to honor the entire contract until a new agreement was reached, and the number of strikes fell drastically.In 1984, NYSUT successfully pushed for passage of a state law creating and funding centers where teachers could obtain continuing education.In 1985, the state legislature passed a bill providing for full retirement benefits for any teacher aged 55 who had taught for at least 30 years.After the failed merger attempt, the unions formed the 'NEAFT Partnership' to encourage joint policies on education, federal funding for public schools, and lobbying.