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Common Ground Over Chaos Bus Tour

In the final weeks leading up to Election Day, NYSUT is hitting the road on our Common Ground Over Chaos statewide bus tour to get out the vote and support candidates who support public education and our union values. We’ll be meeting with elected federal and state officials to call for a return to politics where democracy, compromise and healthy debate are valued once again. Our educators are leading the way by showing students how to engage in civil discussions and we are asking politicians to commit to following this example.

BUS TOUR STORIES

Educators voice growing challenges in meeting with Congressman Kennedy

Aboard the Common Ground Over Chaos bus, Western New York educators and union leaders met with U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy to discuss mounting pressure facing their schools. Kennedy, representing New York's 26th congressional district, brought a personal understanding to the table – coming from a union household and being the son of both a nurse and an educator.

Sen. Mannion, AFT join Common Ground Over Chaos roundtables in Utica

In Utica, just two weeks before Election Day, two buses arrived. NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos bus was joined by the American Federation of Teachers’ “AFT Votes!” bus for roundtable discussions with NYSUT President Melinda Person, AFT President Randi Weingarten, NY-22 congressional candidate Sen. John Mannion and local union leaders.

Members meet, rally behind Gillen on second leg of Long Island bus tour

Throngs of cheering phone bankers greeted Laura Gillen, Congressional District 4 candidate, at a rally in support of her campaign at the NYSUT regional office in Nassau on the second leg of the Long Island Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour in late October. It featured scores of NYSUT’s dedicated cohort of local retirees and in-service members, activists working tirelessly to get out the vote for the Nov. 5 election.

Long Island leaders, Weingarten meet with Rep. Suozzi for bus tour roundtable

NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour wound its way across Long Island recently and welcomed a special guest — American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten who joined NYSUT President Melinda Person, a slate of local activists and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi for a roundtable discussion.

NEA President Becky Pringle boards NYSUT's Common Ground Over Chaos Bus

The Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour rolled into Rochester on Thursday morning for a day filled with discussion, dialogue and candidate pledge signings. Also joining the bus tour at the stop was National Education Association President Becky Pringle.

Congressional Candidate John Avlon stresses the need for civility, civics education to safeguard democracy

NYSUT welcomed congressional candidate John Avlon on board the Common Ground Over Chaos bus earlier today to meet with local educators about the issues that are of most concern to them, their students, and their communities.

Mondaire Jones wants funding for low-income districts ‘not just to survive, but thrive’

In the Lower Hudson Valley, educators are piloting revolutionary experiential learning programs like veterinarian technology. They are serving unprecedented numbers of English language learners and students with disabilities. They are supporting students’ entire families outside the classroom by connecting them with community resources and social services.

Congressional candidate Pat Ryan thanks teachers for their continued dedication and pledges more federal support

As the Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour wended its way south, Congressman Pat Ryan met with Hudson Valley educators. Ryan, who served as representative for New York's 19th congressional district from 2022 to 2023, is currently the Democratic candidate running for New York’s recently redrawn 18th district.

Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour joins John Mannion in Syracuse

An action-packed Friday saw NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour roll into Central New York for a series of Syracuse-area events with State Sen. John Mannion, the NYSUT-endorsed candidate running to represent Congressional District 22.

Congressional candidate Josh Riley vows to put Common Ground Over Chaos and be effective advocate for Southern Tier students

The Common Ground Over Chaos Bus pulled into Vestal this morning to host a far-ranging conversation about public schools between local educators and Josh Riley, Democratic candidate for New York’s 19th Congressional district.

NYSUT Kicks Off Statewide Common Ground Over Chaos Bus Tour

NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos bus tour kicked off at union headquarters with a big yellow bus, a crowd of cheering supporters and a roster of lawmakers who pledged to work across the aisle to find legislative solutions that benefit all Americans.