Friday, February 12, 2016

MORE-NEW ACTION READY FOR UFT ELECTION

I am very excited about this year's UFT Election.  MORE-New Action, now running together as a coalition, nominated me to run for Vice President for Academic High Schools on the joint slate.  If members want the better half of the Eterno couple, my wife Camille has been nominated to run for UFT Secretary. We enthusiastically support the MORE-New Action slate and are working diligently to maximize rank and file backing for the slate.

Having been a member of New Action who was elected three times to the UFT Executive Board to represent the High School Division from 1997-2004, it feels good to be back working with New Action.  I was devastated when NAC decided not to oppose Randi Weingarten in 2003 and soon thereafter found myself as a man without a caucus. While Camille and I respected their decision, the NAC-Unity alliance caused many NAC members to say we want to be in opposition to Unity and we left NAC to help form the Independent Community of Educators. Teachers for a Just Contract was also growing at the time so we agreed to work together.

Winning the 2004 election over NAC and going back to the high School Executive Board was a real triumph for me personally.  I'll never forget being by the copying machine at Jamaica when the late, great activist Paul Baizerman phoned to tell me we won. Being able to serve the next three years with members of Teachers for Just Contract and ICE taught me so much.  It is an honor to be able to call people such as Jeff Kaufman, Barbara Kaplan-Halper and Ellen Schweitzer good friends.

During our three year term, we finally convinced the union leadership to oppose school closings and we led a 40% no vote on the disastrous 2005 contract. The giveback laden contract created the Absent Teacher Reserve mess by ending seniority transfers and preferred placement when a school closed along with many other indignities that have truly weakened our union and our profession.

I enjoy being in ICE to this day and although often skeptical, Camille and I went along when ICE became one of the founding groups in the Movement of Rank and File Educators before the last UFT election.  If we combined MORE's vote totals with New Action's in 2013, we won a clear majority of the high school division that voted (yes the turnout was low) however NAC cross-endorsed with Unity, not MORE, so their people sat on the Executive Board.

Now that NAC is no longer supporting Unity-Mulgrew, there is a tremendous opportunity for the opposition to put a real dent in the top-down Unity style of leadership. Camille and I couldn't be happier to be able to work again on the same political team with our old friends from NAC, particularly Greg Destefano from Staten Island. Greg is running for an officer position on our slate. You could not find a more dedicated, relentless trade unionist in the world than Greg. He has the determination of a bull.

From MORE's side, a truly inspirational candidate is running for UFT President in Jia Lee.  Jia is a conscientious objector who has opted out of giving state standardized exams.  She testified at US Senate hearings in Washington DC last year in part on the damage that high stakes testing is doing to our schools and our kids.  She is the Chapter leader from the Earth School where she teaches.

The other officer candidate positions in the coalition are being filled by very capable people. My wife Camille is without a doubt among the most robust trade unionists in this city.  She was Chapter Leader at Queens Gateway to Health Sciences for years. Administration knew they better adhere to the contract or face Camille's wrath.  Camille voluntarily stepped down from the Chapter Leader position when she took a year long gig outside the city.  She came back and has been a UFT Delegate from Humanities and the Arts High School in Queens since 2006.  Camille is highly respected and sought after for union help. Our phone doesn't stop ringing with people from our schools and many others looking to us for support which we provide to the extent we are able to.  We hear so often from UFT members that he/she reached out to the UFT and they did little or nothing to help.  That has to stop.

Speaking of strong candidates, MORE-New Action is running Lauren Cohen for Elementary School Vice President. Lauren famously stood up to hundreds of booing Unity Delegates at the 2014 NYSUT Representative Assembly. They couldn't take hearing the truth that they are obligated to vote as Michael Mulgrew and Leroy Barr tell them to. You can see the video below.  Lauren is a Chapter Leader too.



Mindy Rosier is also on the MORE-New Action ticket.  Mindy worked with me on the resolution to get MORE to ask the UFT to fight last year's awful Education Transformation Act.  I challenge anyone to find better people to run this union.

Carol Ramos Widen, Kae Martin-Bridge, Margaret Shand, Nelson Santiago and Christine Gross round out the officer part of the MORE-New Action slate.

The UFT Executive Board is made up of many at large positions where the Unity strength among retirees will make them hard to beat.  The same is true for officer positions where for example, retirees vote on who will be the Vice President for Elementary Schools. However, each division exclusively elects their own Executive Board.

When it comes to the seven High School Executive Board positions, MORE-New Action is putting together a kind of union all-star team led by MORE's Mike Shirtzer and NAC's Jonathan Halabi. Both are leaders in their respective caucuses.  Add to this mix Francis Lewis High School Chapter Leader Arthur Goldstein as the straw that stirs the drink and we truly have the makings of an all-star High School Executive Board with other activists, some new to caucus politics, also on the slate.

All of these good people won't have the chance to do anything without your help.  We must get out the vote if we are to win representation on the UFT Executive Board. Getting out the vote starts with running around and having petitions signed so people can secure a place on the ballot.  For Mulgrew's Unity Caucus, this is easy as there is so much patronage that they can all sign each other's petitions at Unity gatherings.  For us it means running around to schools and meeting the members to organize.

I've been traveling around Queens after school all week to leave literature with contacts to put in teacher letterboxes and asking for help in the petition campaign.  I have met some fine people on the campaign trail and spoken to old friends. I'll have more to say in future posts.

For now, I urge everyone to support MORE-New Action and just as importantly to spread the word.

76 comments:

Anonymous said...

As an ATR I can't vote for MORE/New Action. New Action voted against an ATR chapter last spring. I respect MORE and Ms. Lee but I want a fighter for ATRs, not someone who (supposedly via Facebook) doesn't know there's an ATR crisis.

James Eterno said...

As a provisional teacher on a one year assignment who challenged the UFT on behalf of an ATR Chapter and then went to the Department of Labor on behalf of the ATR voting rights, I respectfully disagree with your viewpoint. ATRs are running with MORE. In addition, New Action did not vote against an ATR chapter. The majority voted with us for an ATR Chapter.

I urge ATRs to vote the caucus whose predecessor caucuses(ICE-TJC) fought the creation of the ATRs in the first place and have consistently supported ATRS for over a decade. That would be MORE.

Anonymous said...

Show us exactly what that other caucus has done for ATRS other than use them and divide them in the self-interest of its leader? At one time there was a chance to unite ATRS but instead "The Divider" has misused them.
Your comment makes it clear - you are more critical of Jia Lee than Mulgrew which indicates your true purpose - to help give Mulgrew total control of the Executive Board which is the only thing your leader can win in this election - the vindictiveness against MORE for not recognizing what a "great" leader he is. Your leader may one day get his just reward from Unity.

Anonymous said...

As you may from yours. Why all the hypersensitivity concerning everything about Lee? Portelos is denigrated and vilified daily, as are his supporters, from Lee's supporters. I haven't heard a bad word said by Solidarity against Lee. Being critical of Mulgrew goes without saying. As an ATR I will not vot for a candidate who publicly announced she didn't know there is an ATR crisis.

Anonymous said...

It is a caucus, not one person. There are so many good union leaders running with MORE and New Action. The choice is simple.

Anonymous said...

True, that's why I'm voting for Solidarity.

Anonymous said...

MORE-New Action is the way to vote.May as well vote Mulgrew if you vote Portelos. There are so few people in Solidarity and nobody knows about them in schools. They cannot win anything and are just taking votes from MORE-NAC. Portelos met with Randi and Solidarity caucus formed a week later. It makes me wonder.

Anonymous said...

I've heard this before. New Action = Unity.( Why the change now? Perhaps for the very reason you're saying about Solidarity.) The lunch conspiracy is a huge assumption, on many levels. You should call or write Portelos and discuss it with him, if you think it's a legitimate issue. I'll tell you what is a concern - that Lee didn't know there is an ATR problem. Perhaps a debate could end some of these concerns. I'm starting to understand why you guys don't want one.

Anonymous said...

Ridiculous. Porty insults and threatens people all over the internet and you guys deny it. Name calling, innuendo, threats to sue, give me a break. Porty asks Lee to run on his ticket and now trashes her. Pigs will fly before Porty addresses the US Congress.

Unknown said...

When did you hear, see or read Jia say that she didn't know there is or was an ATR problem?

Anonymous said...

The same old same old self-congratulatory old guy network with the one PC poster girl to deflect the real deal please. Solidarity has more gender and racial/ethnic/age/rank diversity in its pinky finger. We also don't stoop to infantile name calling, unsubstantiated blog-bashing, and rude nicknames, or spreading defamatory lies and misinformation. But "whatever" as I used to (when provoked) say to my former (male old school) principal whenever he'd try to silence/shame/denigrate/scold me. We got this. You're toast - dried up and irrelevant. Sorry *not-sorry*

Francesco Portelos said...

That's OK. Solidarity and I can take the hits. Especially from anonymous comments.

I will say that my great disappointment in MORE has turned into disgust. From mocking the number of people who attended an August rally against a superintendent to MORE's Peter Zucker and his obsessive attacks on me and Solidarity on www.Southbronxschool.com.

New Action? I'm drafting the New Action post. (Spoiler Alert: They didn't leave Unity. Unity cut them loose and replaced their Organizing committee with Paul Egan's Chapter Advocate Team.) Schulman stated that Leroy Barr would text him what resolutions of theirs they would shoot down or pass.

Lunch with Randi happened. August 2014. MORE was falling apart and as Arthur Goldstein wrote "MORE was on a mission from God." http://nyceducator.com/2014/10/more-and-mission-from-god.html?m=1

So with Unity being Unity and MORE running in social justice circles, we created something to fill the void. UFT Solidarity was formed end of September 2014 for the members.

HS Exec Seats? What happened to Wilson Montero who was running with MORE? We heard he never agreed to run with MORE and has since dropped out? So MORE New Action are going crazy for 7 high school seats and they don't have 7 people to run?

ATRs? ATRs know who has their back and they are running with us, stuffing mailboxes and spreading the word.

Debate? Asking Jia for a debate is attacking? Please...the kitchen is going to get a lot hotter. If you can't stand the heat...

We filed for a permit at PS 64 M for March to have a debate or Town Hall. PS 64 is co-located with Jia's Earth School. The principal just emailed us approving. Will she come down to defend her record? Speaking in front of politicians about testing is something we aren't trying to downplay. Leaving a troubled school for an edutopia is a record she should at least try and defend.

Will keep you posted on debate. http://www.uftsolidarity.org/uft-solidarity-asks-mulgrew-lee-to-debate-portelos-no-response/

Anonymous said...

Boy that's a lot of name calling from people who don't do name calling.

Anonymous said...

Pot/kettle. Again *what-EV-ah*

James Eterno said...

Welcome Solidarity trolls. Join the Unity trolls here in this free speech forum. Interesting to note that Solidarity comes here to attack us but says not one bad word about Unity. Hmmmm?

Anonymous said...

If anyone mentions Lee's name it must be in obligatory supplicant tones. The mere mention of her name by anyone not in MORE/New Action is considered an attack. There's no way she will debate anyone- she doesn't even know the issues. She wrote on Facebook that she didn't know there was an ATR problem. I first learned this from the comment section of the latest South Bronx Blog - it was also mentioned that she wasn't aware that there were still rubberrooms, and then realized who was interviewing her. How is she going to fight for us if her biggest supporters are so afraid for her? Give her permission to defend herself.

Francesco Portelos said...

No trolling in an open debate. Audience. Moderator. Questions. Answers. Democracy. Think about it James.

I think there's an option to turn off "Anonymous" comments in settings. I use my name.

Does the I in ICE still stand for "Independent?" ICE members, including a founder, have joined Solidarity. Unity members have joined Solidarity. MORE members have joined Solidarity.

The formula is simple. Talk the talk and walk the talk.



MORE/New Action/Unity,

There's a principal in the Bronx who brought up a 6th veteran teacher for termination in just a few months.

Probationary teachers are being harassed and discontinued.

ATRs are being harassed and brought up on incompetence charges for classes they just met.

Paperwork is escalating.

Teacher autonomy is lost.

Anytime you want to jump in, please do.


See comment that left ATRs questioning if Jia knew anything about their plight. https://www.dropbox.com/s/4bqgpcfzwnnn25z/ATRs%20puzzled.jpg?dl=0


James Eterno said...

We can take it and nobody's comments are censored unless ridiculously profane. I notice that the Solidarity crew have said nothing in comments about how Mulgrew and Weingarten created the ATR mess and ICE opposed them right from 2005 on. You act like Jia Lee created this mess.

What did Mulgrew say about the ATR plight? You guys seem to want to run against ICE, MORE, New Action more than Mulgrew-Unity. If you hit them over the head in your comments here like you are hitting MORE and Jia, we might have something to talk about. Instead, you folks are imitating the Unity trolls.

In addition, there is no mention in your comments of how I, working in a multipartisan way, went with Portelos and two others to the UFT, AFT and Department of Labor last year to try to get an ATR UFT Chapter. My personal record and the ICE record are clear as is MORE'S. We support ATRs. MORE had a DA resolution for an ATR chapter. One of our main arguments against the 2014 contract was about how horrible the ATR section of the MOA was. We have consistently walked the walk.

Go promote your group but please don't misrepresent the MORE or ICE postions. We have the Unity trolls here for that kind of nonsense.

If you wish to descend to that level instead of discussing the totality of the record, then you are working for Mulgrew.

Francesco Portelos said...

We haven't hit Unity? Mulgrew? Are you serious?

Www.mikemulgrew.com

Solidarity has gone to executive board meetings and I personally grabbed the mic telling a room full 90+ Unity members gorging their face that they've become "too comfortable and we are here to to shake things up and make sure in September we are running the union."

Our social media streams are full of jabs at Unity. I think we are agree about what unity has had done, so why preach to the choir here. Let's talk about our differences.

Schulman got you once James and he's now getting you again. We worked closely with New Action for months, holding joint rallies and having meetings, while MORE/ICE continued to bash them. Then, without an argument with us, they go running to work with MORE? C'mon...Think about it and take a guess at who at Unity encouraged Schulman's change of heart. Who was texting and calling his phone to try and take away our momentum? At a meeting at his house we heard Schulman got into an argument with his members about going with MORE that he threw down his phone and ran up to his room.

James I worked on the ATR initiative with you, but you weren't working as MORE. Not a MORE initiative. Remember, ATR issue doesn't have to do with race or testing, so why would MORE, as a group, give two shits?



Raving Lunatic said...

We are very happy with this line of discussion over at central. Please continue.

That will be all, duespayers.

Bronx ATR said...

Weingarten, Bloomberg, Unity and our votes in 2005 have created the mess that we have now. No one wants Unity or Weingarten's puppet unless they're getting something out of the deal- that said, if I objectively view who works and knows the issues for ATR teachers - it Solidarity hands down. I just read the comment by Ms.Lee on ATRs. I won't comment on it.

Mr. Hinesley said...

Hello James,

PLEASE HAVE Norm release the video of the meeting of Solidarity trying to create a joint Slate that included all of the caucuses. PLEASE DON'T comment about your blog posts or what you and your supporters say happened. Post the video for the world to see. I Every member of MORE and ICE bashed New Action and verbally accosted Portelos. Not a single member of More or ICE wanted to work with any group that included Portelos. The personal vendetta against Portelos made MORE and ICE join forces with NA, Even after MORE and ICE blasted NA while at the same time spitting vitriol at Solidarity.
Again I hear the term Keybord Warriors, but Portelos and I have our names attached to our posts.
RELEASE THE TAPE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE WHAT MORE AND ICE ACCUSED NA OF AND NOW MAKE THE SAME LAME ACCUSATIONS TOWARDS SOLIDARITY. JUST RELEASE THE TAPE AND LET THE TEACHERS SEE what MORE AND ICE REALLY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THEIR NEW BEST FRIENDS AT NEW ACTION. the world can see that these are the same baseless accusations leveled at Solidarity. The members at Solidarity wanted a joint slate that included every caucus as equals so that we could unseat Mulgrew and His unity caucus, but More and ICE wanted to treat Solidarity like third class citizens. Release the tape

Francesco Portelos said...

Johnathan, they destroyed the tape. Norm said he was "too busy" to download it, but we can go to his house to hear it. I then offered him $50. No go. That tape that shows the real MORE is gone.

The long threaded insane email I accidentally received from Mindy isn't destroyed though. It was meant for Francesca Gomes and sent in December to me by accident. Depicts a very broken self imploding MORE that points fingers at the International Socialist Organization that is the shadow group within MORE and also take more jabs at New Action. I did not enjoy reading it and was more concerned for the activist movement than anything else. It's not too late for MORE/ICE/New Action to do the right thing and engage in talks.



JR said...

Meanwhile, the teachers are told by students to "Shut the fuck up and Get the fuck out of my face." I think we are arguing over the wrong points.

Bronx ATR said...

And the UFT says the same thing.

Anonymous said...

Where did Portelos reserve space for the debate? Near 52 Broadway so Mulgew could attend or in Jia's building? Nuff said. It shows exactly who he is running against. Jia and MORE, not Unity. A Victory for Solidarity is denying votes to MORE. That is the game. Look at all the comments directed at Jia Lee, not Mulgrew. She is the target, as Portelos threatened to make her for not accepting his offer to be on his slate. He hates MORE for not recognizing his magnificent leadership skills and is vindictive. Portelos Vindictive? Isn't that his middle name?

Those who say he wanted a united slate ignore that it was only under his conditions that he be the presidential candidate. There is proof of that all over the place and Norm should dig up that tape and show that Portelos wouldn't answer the question when asked multiple times if he would withdraw as a precondition for a united slate. And then sent an email the next day affirming he would not withdraw. That email was on the blogs at one point.

Other than in the high schools it won't make a difference one way or the other how you vote. Solidarity's major victory would be to deny MORE the high school seats and assure Unity total control of the executive board. Unity attacks MORE and never even mentions Solidarity. Solidarity attacks MORE and its presidential candidate. That says something about whom they view as their main enemy. Whether the meeting with Weingarten was a deal or not the outcome is the same. Unity gains. If you are not in a high school a vote for Solidarity makes no difference.

Anonymous said...

MORE that somehow seems to he recruiting a lot of people to run in the election against Unity. I see their petitions in the schools. How many people are running on the Solidarity slate? Wouldn't that indicate the level of support each group has in the schools?

Anonymous said...

What have the people in MORE been doing over the years?
Standing up to the charter schools.
GEM/MORE Members Fought Eva Invasion of Cobble Hill School: Where was the UFT?
http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/2016/02/gemmore-members-fought-eva-invasion-of.html
I know. That doesn't involve ATRS so it doesn't count.

Anonymous said...

NY Post on Jia Lee against Mulgrew.
http://nypost.com/2016/02/14/anti-common-core-activists-seek-control-of-teachers-union/

Anonymous said...

Not really, as an ATR it's difficult to gather signatures in building you were just sent into and where you don't know anyone. Just like saying ATRs can run for office in the schools they were in for a few days before the election, everything and everyone seems against us. The entire thing is rigged from top to bottom.When I talk to people in school everyone seems to know and respect Portelos, they have no idea who Lee is. (This isn't meant as a criticism. She seems to be a very nice person.) People can curse him all they want, he has my vote.

Francesco Portelos said...

So you're saying we should make it more convenient for Mulgrew Norm? Is that what you're saying? We might move it because there public transportation sucks there.

I'm the one who was put under investigation by Unity and pushed back. Now we're going to argue over who gets attacked more? You do that. Solidarity and I will work on the real work that affects our members. We'll send you another invitation to join another initiative so MORE can ignore. I hope they started letting you finish your sentences at MORE meetings Norm.

One of the worst memories was at MORE meeting at YiaYia meeting space. You were trying to get some point across and Emily Giles cut you off and said "times up Norm."

"But I- but I just want you add one more thing..-"

She snapped "No." and moved to the next person. I was standing right by the elevator and felt like just leaving after watching you look defeated with your pointer finger still in the air.

How dare anyone cut off a 45 year veteran activist.

That doesn't happen at Solidarity meetings. We value what our members have to say.

Anonymous said...

Yes it's quite clear from this exchange exactly how much respect Francesco Portelos has for those who disagree with him.

Anonymous said...

All things considered, I think he shows too much respect.

James Eterno said...

My point earlier was that the bulk of the criticisms on this forum from Solidarity are directed at MORE and ICE and not Mulgrew-Unity as if MORE had the power to destroy the UFT. Our old Unity troll Raving Lunatic chiming in to say that we should keep this going is all the evidence we need that the Solidarity people trolling here are doing nothing but helping Mulgrew. Is that your goal? The original post was about the upcoming election. I feel good about running with MORE. The group has had many growing pains the last couple of years but I am glad that I have stuck it out and we are going to do very well. I have been all over Queens the last couple of weeks to spread the word about MORE, distribute literature and have petitions signed. Pretty good buzz.

Mr. Hinesley said...

There were no conditions to the joint slate and Jia Lee has never been attacked by any member of Solidarity. Portelos has never said a single discouraging word about Jia. If asking a question of a candidate is seen as an attack, then you guys really don't understand politics. There is a video of the meeting in the hands of a MORE member, so you can reach out to them and have them release the tape for the real story. Please stop the false narrative where Portelos put conditions on a joint slate. Also stop saying people are attacking Jia, cause it is a lie. As for taking votes from MORE, you are right we are going to take votes from your slate, because that is how elections work. You run the best candidate (Portelos), get the most votes and win the election. Again, that is how politics work. One last point about your false narratives, the working for Mulgrew and Unity caucus nonsense is the same manure you leveled at your new best friends in New Action back in 2013. So, if you need to lie and make things up can you at least make up new lies for Solidarity.
In 2013 More wanted to have debates but now has no desire to debate, what caused the change?
Stop posting anonymously you Keybord pundits. Attach your name if you stand by your message.

Mr. Hinesley said...

Where is the disrespect? This is a conversation

Mr. Hinesley said...

This is an ICE blog so we speak to that here and MORE and ICE are indistinguishable from one another. Please point out the disrespect. We are engaging you in dialogue. All of the attacks are from anonymous bloggers that are attacking Portelos.
But again, where is the disrespect?

Mr. Hinesley said...

We are an involved and informed caucus so we keep our ears and eyes open to things going on in education. You post was a bunch of hogwash about why more and new action are now bussom buddies. I personally responded because I think people need to know the truth about what really transpired and not the Eterno Spin.

Pete Zucker said...

Portelos, I'm obsessed with you? Doubtful. Want me to stop blogging about you it's simple. Stop giving me material to write about.

Again, you are projecting. You having your debate in Jia's building, what should one think? Is this stalking?

Why not wait to debate until you either a) have some exec board members to run, b) get on ballot or c) or start having happy hours with more than 8 people.

Anonymous said...

So much vitriol from Portelos and his pal against honorable people like Jia and James Eterno. We may as well keep Mulgrew, and all their work will certainly get us closer to that. Portelos can't look after himself, let alone anyone else. I wouldn't vote him dog catcher.

Anonymous said...

Does Solidarity allow open comments on its site like James does here? I hear that it is closed to comments or gets rid of any comment that is critical. If that is so how do they differ from Unity?

James Eterno said...

I read the posting again. Where is the hogwash on why MORE and NAC are buddies? We were in NAC when they opposed Weingarten, opposed them when they didn't oppose or actually supported Weingarten - Mulgrew and now are with them again when they are in oppostion. Fairly straightforward.

Anonymous said...

Love it. From the same guy:

"Your post was a bunch of hogwash..."

"Where is the disrespect?"

Francesco Portelos said...

Talk is cheap. Since we're here, maybe New Action/MORE can join UFT Solidarity in helping push the NY Healthy Workplace Bill and write a memorandum of support. http://www.uftsolidarity.org/memorandum-of-support-for-the-ny-healthy-workplace-bill/

Both caucuses didn't respond to or attend Solidarity's lobbying efforts in Albany

We'll be pushing for a large scale paperwork grievance in regards to bulletin boards. Will your caucuses ignore those emails as well?

Our opt-out site has been used by over 500 parents stateside. Will you help promote? We asked but again received no response. http://www.uftsolidarity.org/optthemout-com-is-now-in-spanish-and-includes-all-nys-schools/

Probationary teachers are still under attack. We attended a meeting at the MORE's State of the Union conference in October, but saw nothing since. https://www.change.org/p/katherine-rodi-save-the-careers-of-nontenured-teachers

ATR resos are nice, but what about helping gather ATRs that have U ratings with no lesson specific pre observations and gotcha field supervisors. http://goo.gl/forms/XbsgHegcuS

You're always invited to join our initiatives. Even though you bash us.

I had Mike Schitzer come up to me at DA while I was passing out flyers. "You're gonna write another angry blog about me again Portelos? Why don't you have morals and say it to my face?" I asked him to send me the link of this alleged blog, but I'm still waiting. I emailed and text him, but there is no such blog post. I guess he needed some topic to look cool and tough in front of MORE pals. Then he told me if I stayed in MORE that middle school VP seat could have been mine. I responded "MORE wasn't and isn't doing enough. And that's why I left." No regrets.

A debate to get this out in a respectable manner would be nice. I don't bite. Actually, I do.

Pete Zucker said...

Why should anyone support a bully helping to pass an workplace anti-bullying bill?

As for as a debate, how about this. This Wednesday, 7-9 PM on my Internet radio show. I promise you it will be fair.

Anonymous said...

Hey Fran,
That's like going on a date with a stalker, bring some pepper spray.

Pete Zucker said...

Dang, silence from Portelos?

I was not there and only heard second hand but the way Schirtzer reacted was incorrect.

However, here is the difference.

Mike had the balls to confront you to your face. He doesn't need to hide behind anonymous emails, or leave comments on a blog or on Facebook. Heck, no voluminous amounts of text messages or emails either. He handled it like a man. Face to face.

Mike also had the class not to throw any cheap shots or throw what was said in confidence back in your face.

Stop tucking it under and learn.

Pete Zucker said...

Over 500 parents? Wow. But this past Friday on Solidarity FB page the claim was 400.

Here's some advice. When you play make-believe keep the facts you conjure up in your head consistent.

Mindy Rosier said...

Hey Portelos, of you are going to throw me in the mix by talking about an email, at least be honest about what year the email was sent. Yes, I screwed up, however lots have changed for the better since that email was accidentally sent to you OVER a year ago. So please, your argument there is invalid. Mr Hinesley, I remember you coming to a MORE meeting. I also remember you taking pictures of notes and handouts claiming that it was easier for you. You came as a spy, your argument is invalid.

Anonymous said...

Portelos emailed a whole bunch of MORE people with that email Mindy sent with implied threats he would use that email if they didn't shut Zucker up. No one responded. Communications from Portelos or Solidarity to MORE or anyone in MORE are ignored for a reason. You don't issue threats and then expect to have any kind of relationship. The Portelos obsession with MORE should make a good case study.

Anonymous said...

I hear the big bad Poretlos who bites when confronted by Mike slunk away like a little mouse. When bullies are confronted they don't have the guts to stand up.

Francesco Portelos said...

C'mon. Slunk away? Ask Mike Schirtzer and Francesca Gomes. I made sure to move right over next to Mike Schirtzer handing out flyers after he called me a "keyboard warrior." Didn't want there to be any misunderstanding that I was in any way intimidated. At the MORE conference in October, I did go sit at Mike's south Brooklyn table and he did grab his laptop and leave.

Mindy, that thread was from December 2014. It was a hot mess. I agreed mostly with what Mike Schirtzer was writing. After consulting with Solidarity council, it was pointed out not to share that thread out. We don't have to. Any UFT member can scour MORE and New Action's sites to see what they are and aren't doing and vote accordingly.

5,000 votes in 2013 being the only non Mulgrew option. As you can see here we made many attempts to reach out to work with MORE so those numbers go up together with New Action and Solidarity together. 3 caucuses united, but they didn't want to. http://goo.gl/ojlRps

Pete Zucker said...

No, you didn't want to. I'll refrain from details again but we all know the truth.

So are we on this Wednesday at 7PM?

Francesco Portelos said...

C'mon. Slunk away? Ask Mike Schirtzer and Francesca Gomes. I made sure to move right over next to Mike Schirtzer handing out flyers after he called me a "keyboard warrior." Didn't want there to be any misunderstanding that I was in any way intimidated. At the MORE conference in October, I did go sit at Mike's south Brooklyn table and he did grab his laptop and leave.

Mindy, that thread was from December 2014. It was a hot mess. I agreed mostly with what Mike Schirtzer was writing. After consulting with Solidarity council, it was pointed out not to share that thread out. We don't have to. Any UFT member can scour MORE and New Action's sites to see what they are and aren't doing and vote accordingly.

5,000 votes in 2013 being the only non Mulgrew option. As you can see here we made many attempts to reach out to work with MORE so those numbers go up together with New Action and Solidarity together. 3 caucuses united, but they didn't want to. http://goo.gl/ojlRps

Francesco Portelos said...

James, there's an ICE meeting Friday. I've been to them before and receive ICE member emails. It's cool if I attend and we all speak in person? Or is anonymous blogging the only way we can communicate?

Francesco Portelos said...

James, there's an ICE meeting Friday. I've been to them before and receive ICE member emails. It's cool if I attend and we all speak in person? Or is anonymous blogging the only way we can communicate?

Anonymous said...

Love the Solidarity post in an article about Jia saying "Some leaders ignore everything except testing and standards," reinforced here in a typically vulgar Portelos comment. Then the "Who, me?" stuff about how Solidarity doesn't attack. It's a lie and a libel, pretty much par for the course from Francesco Portelos, to suggest that's all Jia or MORE care about. Of course, for Portelos regularly suggests those who don't attend his events don't care or act, and probably believes it.

Plenty of us who do care and act support Jia Lee, who is thoughtful, careful, and intelligent. Go ahead and attack her. There's a reason why pretty much every established activist teacher supports Jia and MORE, New Action or Unity, and Portelos will never, ever understand what that is. Go ahead and attack me for being anonymous, but it saves me the trouble of talking to Portelos, which is a huge waste of time.

James Eterno said...

I am out of town this week and unfortunately will miss the ICE meeting. I think the real issue is trust. Gotta restore it but that is extremely difficult.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see MORE people stick up for the group. Very encouraging.

Anonymous said...

Please Portelos - drop out of race, if you care anything about ousting Mulgrew
Please.

Francesco Portelos said...

Listen Mike Mulgrew... I'm not surprised you'd jump on this blog and write that. Nice try, but we're coming for you despite you trying to throw obstacles like putting me under UFT investigation (http://protectportelos.org/uft-investigation-closed-i-think-the-battle-for-uft-nurses-continues/) and getting Schulman and Halabi if New Action to work against us.

I know you're nervous because your Unity people are telling us. Don't worry. When you're an ATR rotating around Brooklyn, we'll support you.

Pete Zucker said...

Seriously, what color is the sky in your world?

The nurses thing was all created by you. Except your harrasment of them.

http://www.southbronxschool.com/2016/01/uft-solidarity-francesco-portelos.html

http://www.southbronxschool.com/2015/11/uft-solidarity-grand-illusion-of.html



Francesco Portelos said...

Are you now saying I was never placed under investigation by the UFT?

This was given out at the executive board. Just another investigation I dodged.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4d9tg2n4kmmxib/.facebook_1455657353608.jpg?dl=0

In any case, if anyone wants to talk about really improving our careers and our union, call me 347-564-7579.

Anonymous said...

Portelos has an answer for everything. He cannot conceive of being wrong about anything. It doesn't matter what you say and it doesn't matter how bad his answer is. Engaging him is a waste of time.

Raving Lunatic said...

You have really outdone yourselves with this comment section. Please keep them coming!

Pete Zucker said...

You dodged nothing. Investigation was formality. At no time were you going to be kicked out of union.

When is debate? Will there be a Q&A?

Are we on for tomorrow night?

Anonymous said...

Potty Porty at it again. The little mouse has to pump himself up. The story is he turned beet red when confronted by Mike schirtzer that day and before long he slunk away with his little bitty half filled out leaflet not even updated with his candidates and with an awful photo of him trying to look tough but not succeeding. Here's a guy who began recruiting for his slate in June and it took him 8 months to fill the officers slate.
Mulgrew must be busy writing his farewell speech.

JohnL said...

If you want guide on how to win the election Portelos just do the opposite of norm scott and his pals. In other words keep doing what your doing. You got this and with their decades of fighting they are jealous they dont.

Anonymous said...

Anyone want to bet on the outcome of the election? Unity wins and your arguments just makes their margin bigger.

Pete Zucker said...

JohnL, you're delusional, no?

The officers running for Solidarity are either A) Ineligible, B) Have never been in a position of any kind of leadership, or C)Seat-fillers.

Who are the exec board candidates? Are there any? Name one.

Oh, and one more thing.

To get elected one must be on the ballot first.

That means 900 SIGNATURES of UFT members on officers petitions.

Signatures such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Major Nelson, and Heywood Jablowme won't do.

By the looks of Portelos' comments here he seems to be in panic mode.

Though it won't surprise me if Portelos has set aside a petition just for himself to get him alone on the ballot.

to anonymous @4:17, I offered to sign my pension (Or cash it in) over to Portelos if he wins the election. I am willing to put it in writing and make it a legal document. Still waiting to hear a counter offer, as still I am with him appearing on my radio show.

Anonymous said...

This posting was not about Solidarity. Now you are talking about whether Mickey Mouse can sign a solidarity petition. How about Goofy?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone mentioned that Portelos is a racist bigot and we, teachers and administrators were happy to see him go
I know he is because I worked with him- read the case find out the truth

Pete Zucker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christopher said...

Are we to believe this comment really came from a former colleague of Portelos?

"Has anyone mentioned that Portelos is a racist bigot and we, teachers and administrators were happy to see him go
I know he is because I worked with him- read the case find out the truth"

They voted him their chapter leader and then proceeded to continue voting for him after several recall attempts all while he was banned from the building.

Give it up...he is stronger than you. Get behind him or get crushed.

Anonymous said...

What were the vote totals in those recall votes? It takes 1/3 of the UFT staff to get a recall petition going.

Anonymous said...

ASk Rich Candia about Portelos