Why I made the move from Solidarity Caucus to Unity…

I realized the real change was starting to grow within Unity...they saw my potential and never asked me to be a yes dear type.

Linda is an elementary school special educator teaching in Staten Island

I was part of Solidarity when it first came into existence thanks to Francesco Portelos being held hostage in the rubber room. I was even asked to be his VP for Special Education when he ran for president. I declined the offer because I knew I did not have the experience to do that job correctly.

Over the following years Solidarity began to try to meld with MORE and ICE… and the simple plan Portelos had described to me was being decimated. Soon he ended his involvement with them from what I was told.

I wasn’t close to the action. I stayed away from it. I wanted our union to have real adept leadership.

What started out as a ”For the member” group became very Democrat Social Justice focused. And while I am a professed die hard liberal… the members I now represented as a delegate were not. So I tempered my own feelings with those who voted for me. My job was small but I honored it.

As much as it saddens me, this membership is not looking towards lofty ideals right now. They are clawing to eke out a safe and successful life for themselves and their kids. They want to have a real voice in their union. And they want to see respect brought back to our members… they earned it. They want to stay more middle of the road now and navigate treacherous waters with guidance and care. Not with iron fists and militant values, but with steady rudders and calming winds of change.

No caucus is perfect. We all have infinite room to grow as people. No caucus is evil. We all want what’s best for our members but have different visions for that end. But I saw first hand how the ideals of a small party warped towards the agendas of other groups. When that happened, I realized the real change was starting to grow within Unity. They came looking for me, they saw my potential and never asked me to be a yes dear type. People were working for change. So I became part of that change.

Voting for Unity is more than voting for Mulgrew. It’s voting for our district and borough reps who work tirelessly to serve the needs of the members. It includes PM staffer like me who follow up and handle the day to day interactions with our members. How many of you have come in when I was working so I could help you with your salary differential application in person?

They are your para reps and chapter leaders who are Unity and have been serving you for years. Your delegates who trek to the city to be your voice.

It’s ok to want change. We should always strive for change. Stagnation is the precursor to a life not being lived right. But change doesn’t mean take a wrecking ball to your house… it means redecorate. Update. Work with what you have and grow it to its fullest potential. That’s what I chose.

Choose with me. Stand with me.