Speak Out, Build Unity

NEA Retired President, Jim Sproul

At a recent NEA meeting, a retired member from Oregon broke down in tears while recounting how teachers in Portland worked 10 days without pay so that the financially strapped school district would not have to cut the school year short. Though retired, she was saddened by the misplaced priorities that have caused huge cutbacks in essential school programs.

Sadly, Active and Retired members alike are facing exceedingly tough times due to the weak economy and poor choices by political leaders. Facing the worst budget shortfall since World War II, states and districts are taking extreme steps--laying off thousands of teachers, rolling back restrictions on class sizes, and cutting back on extracurricular programs and summer school. Retired Members across the United States are trying to cope with rising costs for health care premiums and prescription drugs and the uncertain climate affecting pension systems.

Two things are certain. One, we'll only be successful if Active and Retired members work hand-in hand on the causes that affect all of us. This summer's NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans showcased this spirit, as Retired and Active members banded together to pass important new business items and legislative amendments supporting fair school funding and adequate health care. (For more, see "News Briefs")

The other certainty is that, especially when times are tough, those who speak the loudest tend to be more successful. That means all of us need to do our part to lobby legislators, to flood the newspapers and radio airwaves, and to spread the word among non-members that it's time for America to live up to its promise to support public schools and those who serve it. Speak up in your local communities and states, and speak out on the national level as well. Your action can help keep a teacher in a classroom--or add a well-deserved cost-of-living allowance to your pension check.

Note--Thanks to all members who gave to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. With your support, NEA-Retired raised $13,240. One of our most successful fundraisers was our quilt giveaway (for a picture, see page 13). The quilts are made from unique NEA tee shirts, and we need to begin collecting shirts for next year's giveaway. If you have a special shirt of an NEA, NEA-Retired or State Affiliate activity, please send it NEA-Retired, 1201 16th N.W, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20036.