//moved from 2019 to avoid confusion Election Locations and DatesTuesday 5/14/19@ Center for Career Services Building D Conference Room Time 3 p.m.Directions Tuesday 5/14/19 @ Tappan Hill Directions Wednesday 5/15/19 @ Rye Lake Campus Gym. Time: 3 p.m.Directions You may vote at any of the locations.
Results
Winners displayed in Red
President (1) Melissa Baretto 93
Corresponding Secretary (1) Jason Poniatowski 93
Teacher Representative (3) Billie Dolan-66 Keith Mattos-66 Scott Nelson-68
Teacher Assistant Representative (2) Debbie Schiff-63 Mike Piccolo-41 Allison Waskiewicz-31
Representative Assembly Delegates (3) Phil Rucci-74 Kevin McAllister-63 Ann Robertson-69 Matthew Robertson-53
Candidate Bios
Melissa Barreto-President (Incumbent)
Jason Poniatowski-Corresponding Secretary (Incumbent) During my time as Corresponding Secretary I have streamlined the mailing process and introduced the use of postcards to save our members hundreds of dollars in postage. I have also created and maintained the text messaging lists for Teachers, ALC, Aides and BTAR to allow for instant communication to members. I have created and updated our email list on a regular basis. I have also spent countless hours representing members in meetings with administration at the building and district level. I am proud of the work that I have done on behalf of our member but understand that there is still much to be done. As always I am open to any suggestions as for future improvements. I have been working on possible solutions for future online voting and online meetings for the membership. Thank you for your time and support.
Billie Dolan-Teacher Representative (Incumbent)
Scott Nelson-Teacher Representative (Incumbent)
Keith Mattos- Teacher Representative (Incumbent) I have been with with SWBOCES for 9 years, in this time I've been a Teacher in the Incarcerated Youth Program as well as an ALC Teacher. I attend all union functions and meetings. I act as a guide for ALC members having questions regarding work or contract issues. Recently working on a team to reevaluate and help support a new ALC contract. I became more involved with the union so our family will not be taken advantage of.
Mike Piccolo-Teaching Assistant Representative Hi, I’m Mike Piccolo. I am currently a Teacher Assistant at Tappan Hill Elementary in my 11th year working for Southern Westchester BOCES. When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our identical twin boys. Some of my hobbies include watching sports and staying up to date on current events. Just like all of you, I am an employee working for the same organization. As such, I want everyone at Southern Westchester BOCES to know that I will do everything in my power to represent the wishes and needs of the members of our organization. I firmly believe that a strong and dedicated union is an essential part of a successful and equitable company. It is because of this belief that I have accepted the nomination to run for the Teacher Assistant Representative position. I have always been a great listener and enjoy helping others when they are in need. I always show others respect and start my day with a smile on my face and a good positive attitude. It would be a tremendous honor to serve and represent my fellow hard working and dedicated colleagues who work here at Southern Westchester BOCES.
In closing, thank you all for taking the time to learn more about me. I hope to represent you in the near future.
Debbie Schiff-Teaching Assistant Representative (Incumbent) I am presently, the Teaching Assistant Representative at Tappan Hill School and your Retirement Delegate. It has been an honor for me to work with you and to help you learn more about your union. I would like to continue as your Union Representative, to serve your union needs, whether it be protecting your rights or just keeping you informed. On Wednesday, April 18th, there will be two Retirement Presentations from 3:30pm to 5:00pm for EVERYONE. Just remember, it is never too early to start preparing for your retirement! As Political Action Ambassador, for our NYSUT Tarrytown Office, my job is to make you all aware of the plight of ALL unions. The very thing that protects your rights, safety, benefits, salaries and retirement is in jeopardy. There are many cases in front of the United States Supreme Court, empowered by those wealthy corporations and individuals who want to divide us. We must remain UNITED and UNION STRONG! Vote for Debbie Schiff, as your Teaching Assistant Representative
Allison Waskiewicz-Teacher Assistant Representative My name is Allison Waskiewicz; I have been working for Southern Westchester BOCES for 10 years. I was an aide for one year and have been a T.A. for 9 years; I aspire to be a teacher. Over the years I have worked many different programs and locations. I am running to be a T.A. representative in the BTA. I feel that I would be great candidate for this position because many of the values that I hold dear such as trustworthiness, having a great work ethic, good communication skills both individually and in a group setting, and respect are some of the key elements needed to be a successful T.A. representative. If chosen I would passionate about creating a comfortable work environment, while creating a superior level of communication between the staff, those who represent them and the administration.
Kevin McAllister-RA Delegate
Ann Robertson-RA Delegate My name is Ann Robertson. I am running for a position as a Representative Assembly Delegate. A position I currently hold. In this role, I attend conferences and collect information to share with you regarding current issues that may affect our union. I am also your political action officer. In that position, I attend the AFL-CIO meetings and report to the board at the rep council meetings regarding anything going on that affects our members, directly or indirectly. Most importantly I maintain the support of our AFL-CIO union brothers and sisters who came out and supported us to help us achieve our latest BTA contract. Note: Paul Peccorelli came to our last picket after speaking to the political action team, which I am a member of, at the SRP conference. You have probably met me while I visited site to site asking you to vote NO regarding the opening of the New York State Constitution. I was also on the committee to organize our picketing and was very vocal at our picketing sites to ensure a better contract. Thank you for your continued support.
Phil Rucci-RA Delegate Brothers and Sisters in Solidarity , I would like your vote in the upcoming election for Representative Assembly Delegate for BOCESTA. In my tenure as vice president we have made great strides to assure our union remains strong and united. I was involved in the negotiation process that allowed us to finally achieve a fair and equitable contract.I am currently involved in negotiating a new contract for our teacher aides. I have attended the NYSUT Leadership Conference which allowed me insight into the struggles we as a union are facing. As a Representative Delegate I will looks towards policies that not only strengthen NYSUT but also will assist our local bargaining unit to remain strong and viable as outside forces continue to attack unions and the role they play in America’s workforce. I hope that you will vote for me to represent our union at the Representative Assembly.
Matthew Robertson-RA Delegate My name is Matthew Robertson. I am running for a Representative Assembly Delegate position. This is a position I currently hold. I will be representing us again this year at the Buffalo Delegate Convention. I have been a member of the teacher aide union for two years now. During this time I have traveled to Albany for Lobby Day to share my story of the good work at SW BOCES, and to ensure that our needs are heard and known. I have attended the delegate convention in 2017 as an alternate delegate. I went to the NYSUT leadership training in the summer of 2017, and I have been a delegate for SW BOCES for almost a year now. My life has been connected to BOCES; I was a student of the programs. I recently applied to graduate school to achieve my master’s in education in the hopes that I can become a teacher for SW BOCES. My goals are to ensure that SW BOCES continues to have a successful future. As an RA Delegate I will continue to make our voice heard, and our issues recognized.