A Message from SEA President Gary Smith

Fellow SEA members,

After six years as the president of our great organization, I have decided to not seek re-election at our annual convention in October.

While I still have great passion for all the work we do, it is time to move on and allow others to continue the mission of achieving economic and social justice for our members.

I may not be the SEA's president after October 31st, but I will continue to take an active role in our union on the important issues facing all of us each and every day.

In the past six years, I have spent countless hours working with legislators, members and coalition partners on the issue of pension security. Four decades ago, the Legislature promised to fully fund our pension system - and we are still trying to get the Legislature to fulfill that promise. I will work with our next president to protect our defined-benefit pension system, both for current retirees and for those workers who are just beginning their careers.

I will also continue the fight for a fair tax structure that raises adequate revenue for the public services we provide. The current tax structure overburdens property taxpayers, and causes the Legislature to resort to a slash-and-burn agenda. Even after October 31st, I will still be on the front line advocating for a more equitable tax structure that grows with the State's needs.

I love our union and our members, and I will continue the fight for our jobs and working conditions. I have truly enjoyed every day being the president of Local 1984, and I leave knowing that the organization is stronger and more active than when I started.

Thank you all for the honor you have given me, to serve as your president during the last six years.

Gary Smith