For Immediate Release Contact: Mario Cilento

February 28, 2011 Cell: 914-261-4356

New York State AFL-CIO: Senate’s Seniority Bill Is an Attack on

Collective Bargaining Rights

Denis Hughes, President of the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO today issued the
following statement regarding Senate Bill S. 3501-B(Flanagan). The bill amends the Education
Law to drastically change the layoff procedures of teachers and supervisory personnel in New
York City schools.

“This bill is a blatant assault on the principles of collective bargaining, and an attack on
working men and women throughout this state who are represented by labor unions.

“I want to make it abundantly clear to our elected officials that they cannot use the
Wisconsin model of politics here in New York, and that the New York State AFL-CIO will not
tolerate attempts to silence the voice of working people.

“This bill amends the Education Law to drastically change the layoff procedures of teachers
and supervisory personnel in New York City schools. Educators perform one of the most
demanding jobs in the state and are responsible for much more than only teaching our state’s
children and youth. The numerous educational, testing, curriculum and other mandated
requirements necessitates fair and long term strategy when layoffs, cutbacks or other
removal procedures must be employed.

“This bill will not only remove seniority as the primary factor but will eliminate the ability of
teachers to make decisions and carry out their required duties without fear of dismissal. The
new procedures would allow for the dismissal of career educators without any consideration
for their education, training and experience that ensure layoffs happen in an impartial way.

“The bill would also eliminate the rehiring rights of affected school personnel, opening the
door to the potential for abuse of the new “layoff system” for use as a termination tool.

“This bill is the result of a lengthy and coordinated campaign against the rights and benefits
of all workers over the last several years, particularly against the rights and benefits of public
employees. This has led to systematic attempts to dismantle collective bargaining rights,
seniority, pensions, health insurance and civil service rights under the guise of “the fiscal
emergency.

“During these historically uncertain economic times, working men and women have an even
greater need for a voice in the workplace, and in their own economic future. As such,
collective bargaining remains the most effective avenue in which to address their needs and
concerns.”