BTA Members Attend Statewide “Fix Tier 6” Rally in Albany

Several members of the Brewster Teachers Association traveled to Albany on Sunday, March 8, to join thousands of union members from across New York State at the statewide Fix Tier 6 rally organized by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).
Held at the MVP Arena, the event brought together approximately 15,000 educators and public employees from unions across the state to advocate for reforms to New York’s Tier 6 retirement system. Participants included teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other public servants who gathered to call on state lawmakers to address inequities in the current pension tier.
Tier 6, which applies to employees hired after April 1, 2012, requires members to work longer, contribute more of their salary, and receive reduced benefits compared with earlier pension tiers. Union leaders say these differences make it harder to recruit and retain educators and other public servants, and they are urging lawmakers to bring Tier 6 benefits closer to those in earlier tiers.
Throughout the rally, speakers emphasized solidarity among public employees and the importance of advocating for retirement security for the next generation of educators. The event highlighted the growing statewide movement calling for legislative changes to make public service careers more sustainable.
BTA members were proud to stand alongside colleagues from across the state and show support for fair retirement benefits for all educators. Their participation reflects the union’s ongoing commitment to advocating for policies that strengthen the profession and support those who dedicate their careers to serving students and communities.