NYSUT dedicates new facility

Hundreds of well-wishers turned out in December to celebrate the opening of New York State United Teachers’ new headquarters in Latham, in a ceremony that capped months of hard work and anticipation.

The building is also home to the statewide headquarters of UUP.

Members of federal, state and local government, representatives of Gov. George Pataki, and other guests mingled in the atrium lobby and conference center of the 218,000-square-foot complex for the Dec. 10 dedication. They were joined by officers and staffers from NYSUT and UUP.

“The turnout shows NYSUT’s stature,” said UUP President William Scheuerman. “There are a number of political players here, and it’s good for them to see this. It’s an impressive sight.”

NYSUT President Thomas Hobart said the building will hold a visible place in the community and the state as a site for conferences, as well as a setting that will help generate ideas. NYSUT represents teachers in most of the public school districts in the state, as well as faculty and staff in a number of colleges and health care facilities. The union expects its membership to exceed 500,000 this year.

“We’re very proud of the facility we have here, and we’re far more proud that you have come to honor us today,” Hobart told the gathering.

Joining him at the podium were Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, who delivered an invocation; U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty (D-Green Island); state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick); several members of the State Assembly; and local political figures.

A special guest at the ceremony was Rachel Moyer, a NYSUT member and teacher in Port Jervis whose 15-year-old son Gregory collapsed and died two years ago during a school basketball game. Gregory’s family established a foundation in his memory, with the goal of installing automatic external defibrillators in public places such as schools, and Rachel Moyer presented a defibrillator for the new NYSUT building.

Hobart and Scheuerman said the new building has allowed officers and staff to respond to members’ needs and requests in a more timely, efficient manner. “This work environment really enhances our ability to deliver services to our members,” Scheuerman added.

Both unions moved to their new home in August from Wolf Road in Colonie. NYSUT and UUP staffers, along with outside union labor contractors, spent the months before the move putting the finishing touches on the new building and readying its updated computer systems.

The hard work paid off, as more than one person at the dedication was heard noting that the building was on time, under budget and built entirely by union labor.

— Darryl McGrath