By Mike Myslinski
As part of a new grassroots plan launched this summer to re-energize CTA’s organizing culture, State Council delegates spent time in small “relational meetings” similar to meetings that are going on in CTA chapters across the state to build solidarity within the union’s ranks.
In their committee meetings, delegates brainstormed about ways CTA should be fighting to increase public education funding, and what all members of the union can do to help.
The goal of the long-term organizing plan is to reach all teachers and education support professionals and to hear their voices, CTA President David A. Sanchez told delegates.
“We must reach out to the normally silent majority who work in our schools every day. We must engage them to join our efforts to stand up for our students and defend our public schools. We must help them realize that they are CTA, and that this fight is our fight, together.”
The goals of the plan are to promote and protect quality public education and all CTA members; expand the organizational capacity of CTA; and re-establish and strengthen a culture of organizing at all levels of the union. To guide State Council on future issues, the responses from small meetings going on in the field will be assessed by the four CTA regions and then by the Board of Directors.
“CTA’s organizing campaign is all about you and connecting with our members,” said Sanchez. “We are growing a new organizing culture that will allow us to build an even stronger union, reach out to more members, and rebuild our base of support.”