Tucker takes top VOTE/COPE spot

Thomas Tucker, a SUNY Buffalo UUP member and delegate, has taken the helm as the union’s statewide VOTE/COPE coordinator. He succeeds Eileen Landy of Old Westbury, who now serves as UUP secretary.

VOTE/COPE — the Committee on Political Education — is the nonpartisan, political action arm of NYSUT, UUP’s state affiliate. UUPers’ participation, which is voluntary, continues to grow.

“Our drive is ongoing, and our numbers are up,” said union President William Scheuerman, noting that about 250 new UUP contributors have come aboard to help support state and federal lawmakers who back the unions’ initiatives.

“UUP’s contributions to VOTE/COPE play a major role in getting the attention of legislators who value public higher education,” he said.

Members’ donations are approaching a record $150,000 toward this year’s anticipated total of close to $4 million raised throughout NYSUT. “Our contributions have increased more than 10-fold in the last eight years,” Scheuerman said.

Tucker hopes to keep up the momentum. He plans to coordinate his VOTE/COPE efforts with his duties on UUP’s Membership Committee, so the fund grows as the union gains new members.

“For the union to do its job most effectively, we need to keep expanding our base of support,” Tucker said. “This will give us more strength as we work to further UUP’s goals.”

— Lisa Feldman Reich