Unity: Experience, Expertise, Engagement

By Vincent Corletta

My name is Vincent Corletta, and I am running with the Unity Caucus. I am running for a traveling delegate for AFT and NYSUT, and also for the Executive Board for the Middle School Division.

Let me start off with this —I love this. I love teaching, and I love all things about our union. I love being involved. I love learning and I love helping. I love being part of something that I truly believe in and am inspired by.

Before my career change, I worked in a residential building with the 32BJ Union. I did that for 16 years. Maybe I was just ignorant of it then, or maybe it has changed now, but I never had the chance to participate in union activities like I do with the UFT. Again, I love this. I think educators have the most transferable skills. My love for this grows more and more each day. I believe educators can do anything.

Experience

There is something to be said for Unity winning every election since the start of the UFT. There is an experience there that is unmatched anywhere else. Our union has many moving parts. As I tell my students, complicated shouldn’t have a negative connotation—it’s a part of life. We are complicated beings in a complicated life.

Being in education, it’s amazing how much we are involved in: politics, policy, health, labor laws, bargaining, and so much more. As educators, we see policy every day - in real time.

Interacting with officers, boro reps, member reps, they not only help me when I am seeking information. (Which is a lot, I always have questions) They not only answer or help but explain the history, the advocacy, the work that was put in. Special shout out to LeRoy Barr - who speaks about the history of our union, it inspires me and makes me think about the past, the present, and the future all at once. That is a gift only educators can possess. Where time is no longer linear and inspiring and pushing me to think about the future.

At the contract negotiations I learned so much by listening. That is when it all solidified for me, I want to always be doing this. Whatever it is, I wanted to learn, I wanted to help.

I do my best to bring all the things I learn and hear back to my chapter, back to members, and to people that are not in education.

Expertise

I love that when I speak to officers or directors of all the different parts of the union, they are educators. They were teachers who got a chance to engage in this work and did it so well that they now run their respective departments.

Dealing with the city, setting up events and trainings—it takes so many different people, each one super skilled and personable. Working with pension for a short while, I was amazed by how much everyone knew.

PM staffers work hard after hours, helping members in various different facets of our lives: leaves, APPR complaints, grievances, certifications. I love seeing all the wheels spinning together at once. The collaboration in borough offices is inspiring—everyone has the same goal: help. Get precise information. Check for clarity. Even just talking with other PM staffers and AM staffers, there is a wealth of knowledge that I do my best to soak up and retain.

Engagement

I have been blessed with many opportunities to advocate for educators and students. I’ve spoken at PEPs, mayoral control hearings, and class size hearings, in both live spoken and written testimony.

The beauty of being in a union is that we have each other’s backs. I can show up for members while another member can’t—and people show up for me when I cannot make it.

I speak with a lot of my friends in other municipal unions, and they do not have chapter meetings monthly. Or district meetings monthly. We are in a unique space to learn, grow, and advocate for all members. It’s truly amazing, and I love every moment of it.

I always want to do my best to learn and help other members, and I am so grateful I have the opportunity to do that.

With the Unity Caucus, it’s about the work. I know some people get upset when they see those two words next to one another, but it is true. No one asked me what caucus I was with when I asked for information. No one asked who I was affiliated with when I had an idea and wanted help to refine it, edit it, ensure that it was helpful, and learn any other tips.

I have been so lucky in my life, and make no mistake—I am so blessed to be in the position I am in. I get to advocate and show up for my union. No matter what, I will always do this.