NEW YORK – The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York (PSC/CUNY) endorsed Aravella Simotas in her campaign for re-election in Assembly District 36 in northwest Queens.

NYSUT is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. The United Federation of Teachers is the labor union that represents most teachers in New York City public schools. The Professional Staff Congress is the union that represents 30,000 faculty and staff at the City University of New York.

“Now more than ever we need leaders who will support public school students, teachers, and families in Albany, and Aravella is exactly that,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “We look forward to continuing to work with her at the Capitol to ensure our communities have the high-quality schools, colleges, hospitals and essential services they need.”

“In a time of crisis, Aravella Simotas is the kind of fighter we need in Albany. She will not accept budget cuts that fall on our students and public schools. She will speak up for the needs of working men and women, and protect vital services that our families and communities rely on ,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.

“Assemblywoman Simotas has been a very strong advocate for public higher education. Her recent bill co-sponsored with Senator May proposes to tax ultra millionaires to pay their fair share to protect public services like CUNY from severe budget cuts. We need her now more than ever. She has been there for CUNY and we stand with her now,” said Legislative Representative of PSC/CUNY Mike Fabricant.

“As a mother and product of the public school system, I know how important it is to support our teachers. These organizations are working tirelessly to tackle educational inequalities and I am proud to stand with them in this fight,” said Assembly Member Simotas.

Assembly Member Simotas has been a strong supporter of public education. She is a fierce advocate for students with disabilities and she has co-sponsored legislation to end the mandatory use of standardized tests in teacher and principal evaluations, provide early screening and intervention for dyslexia, and create programs for gifted students with IEPs. She is currently fighting to pass her bill to establish an ultra-millionaires income tax to raise critically needed revenue to prevent cuts to public education funding.

Simotas has also been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters,Vote Mama, CWA, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, 32BJ SEIU, LIUNA NY, 1199SEIU, Teamsters Local 831, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, UFCW Local 1500, NASW NYC-PACE, Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes Pac, Eleanor’s Legacy and National Institute for Reproductive Health. The primary will be held on June 23.

To learn more, visit www.aravella.com.