tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post116298068586219894..comments2024-03-07T15:25:26.971-05:00Comments on ICEUFT Blog: Tentative UFT/DOE 2007-2009 Contract at a GlanceJeff Kaufmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728874415155394751noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163372231297261722006-11-12T17:57:00.000-05:002006-11-12T17:57:00.000-05:00Science Sam you seem like a reasonable person. Di...Science Sam you seem like a reasonable person. Did you know that a Socialist named Bernie Sanders was just elected to the US Senate from Vermont? We really don't need red baiting in the argument over the contract. Being a socialist doesn't make someone evil.<BR/><BR/>People from ICE-TJC-UTP range across the political spectrum and so do people from Randi Weingarten's ruling Unity Caucus and her close allies in New Action. There are socialists and even a Communist in the ruling groups. Take the politics out of the debate on both sides.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163295985227038092006-11-11T20:46:00.000-05:002006-11-11T20:46:00.000-05:00Or maybe the socialists have resorted to “Unity” ...Or maybe the socialists have resorted to “Unity” baiting and union revolutions. <BR/>Let’s not resort into victimhood. After all, if a blogger came on here and agitated against our contract, and I discovered that it was someone who publishes in a far right magazine whose stated mission was to eliminate unions, I wouldn’t hesitate to point that out either. And I’ll bet we’d all be okay with that. <BR/>As far as Unity goes, I don’t know anything about that except that it is the union group that Weingarten belongs to. <BR/>I stand corrected on McCartney. Always found the pun on Lenin and Lennon amusing .A friend of mine was teaching Lenin in high school history once and the Aim was something like “Why was Lenin important?” The principal happened to stop in for a minutes. As he left, he said, “Excellent topic. But why not discuss Paul, George, and Ringo too?” <BR/>He was serious. <BR/>Ah, administrations. <BR/>I’ll correct myself on something else – It wasn’t Socialist Weekly that the article appeared in. It was “Socialist Worker.”Teacher Voiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359760490948953593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163295424259059212006-11-11T20:37:00.000-05:002006-11-11T20:37:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Teacher Voiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359760490948953593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163283541456280342006-11-11T17:19:00.000-05:002006-11-11T17:19:00.000-05:00Science Sam it was Lennon who wrote Revolution, no...Science Sam it was Lennon who wrote Revolution, not McCartney, or was it Lenin? What Megan said about the Contract stands. You Unity guys have now resorted to red baiting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163281273851165392006-11-11T16:41:00.000-05:002006-11-11T16:41:00.000-05:00Someone above asks “who is Michael? But I’ve got ...Someone above asks “who is Michael? But I’ve got a better question. Who is Megan Behrent? <BR/><BR/> A posting above quotes in its entirety an article by Megan Behrant that seemed to have been published somewhere else (it says p.11), so I googled it to find out what newspaper it was in. Turns out it is from the Socialist Weekly. <BR/><BR/>And on its “Where We Stand” page, in a section entitled “Revolution” we see that the Socialist Weekly does not believe in reform, but rather revolution since “capitalism must be replaced.”<BR/><BR/>Well, so long as we all know where we stand. But if Megan’s real agenda is revolution then she ought to admit that no contract would ever be enough. <BR/><BR/>Yousay you want a revolution? I don’t think I have to be McCarthy or McCartney to say, “Count me out”Teacher Voiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359760490948953593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163203057707464542006-11-10T18:57:00.000-05:002006-11-10T18:57:00.000-05:00What is funny about you "contract at glance" is th...What is funny about you "contract at glance" is that you cite the NY Times. I don't remember them being at the negotiating table. I know jameseterno and Jeff Kaufman were.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163142721177252222006-11-10T02:12:00.000-05:002006-11-10T02:12:00.000-05:00Posted on http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/The Co...Posted on http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>The Contract: What Lies Beneath<BR/><BR/>We have been besieged by questions: After all the rancor and viciousness of BloomKlein where did all this sweetness and love come from? What are the real givebacks?<BR/><BR/>With fall-out from the phony promises and massive sell-job and threats that a “No” vote would result in dire consequences still echoing from the dreadful 2005 contract, these questions are a signal from many people who have been beaten and battered by recent contracts and have lost faith in the union leadership to negotiate anything that is truly favorable to the members. So, what gives this time? Should we lift the hood even a bit to see what monsters might be lurking beneath?<BR/><BR/>A clue in the NY Times?<BR/>“This time the city extracted no productivity increases or other concessions, which seemed to be part of a larger strategy by the Bloomberg administration to pave the way for separate talks aimed at achieving crucial savings on health care and pension costs, which have climbed sharply in recent years... But negotiations over health benefits are to be conducted separately in talks with the Municipal Labor Committee, the umbrella group for the city’s unions, and since Ms. Weingarten is the committee chairwoman, her good will is essential if headway is to be made on insurance issues.”<BR/><BR/>A follow-up headline proclaimed: “With Teacher Pact at Hand, City Looks at Health Costs.”<BR/><BR/>Does this contract basically waive the right of our union to bargain about health benefits by giving this power to the Municipal Labor Committee, in effect removing member rights in perpetuity to vote on any loss of valuable medical benefits? Does the contract assign to the Municipal Labor Committee a “blank check” to negotiate cost containment initiatives and program modifications to City Health Benefits Program that are not subject to our approval? If MLC agrees with Mayor, will UFT members get to vote on potential mandatory health care contributions? (Transit workers were able to vote on whether or not to contribute 1.5% of their salary for health benefits.) If a flat rate percentage is tacked on in the future, what is the real raise, especially for the newer lower-salaried people?<BR/><BR/>And let’s not forgot the possible quid quo pro in exchange for supporting (or not opposing) mayoral control, which if continued will continue to be an unmitigated disaster for the teachers, students and parents in NYC. Can you get somethin’ for nuthin’ with Unity in charge?<BR/><BR/><BR/>It feels like April! It’s only November<BR/><BR/>The teachers in my school are so angry about the current contract. We don’t even have time to use the bathroom during the day. When passing colleagues in the hall, the constant comment is, “It feels like April! It’s only early November.” The weight of the workload and schedule are crushing. We are very angry about the current conditions, and the fact that we can’t do much to complain since most of our rights to grieve and to participate in the decision-making processes of the school are gone. The older teachers are afraid — under the current system they can suddenly become “senile” and unable to teach. The younger teachers don’t understand. Whole classes are guinea pigs as large numbers of new teachers “experiment” with what works. Fed-up, on the ICE blog<BR/><BR/>With only TJC and ICE members voting in opposition, the negotiation committee did not address any of the issues raised by Fed-up when it agreed to a tentative deal with the DOE . The contract extension contains no take backs of any of the givebacks of the 2005 contract: letters in the files still can’t be grieved at step 2; 37 minutes and a thinly disguised 6th teaching period; loss of Circular 6 and reinstatement of potty patrol; loss of seniority transfers; erosion of workplace rights; inability to question administrative decisions; teachers standing at the mercy of anti-union principals who control through intimidation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163134553350973532006-11-09T23:55:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:55:00.000-05:00Who is "Michael" (November 09, 2006 4:36:14 PM )? ...Who is "Michael" (November 09, 2006 4:36:14 PM )? So much for anonomous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163134452163731342006-11-09T23:54:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:54:00.000-05:00jameseterno and Jeff Kaufman talk a lot her but sa...jameseterno and Jeff Kaufman talk a lot her but say little about their role in the negotiating committee. I was at all of them except 2 meetings and they said nothing (except to each other)! Tell the truth. What did you guys do to talk about the demands (which were passed unanimously by the Ex. Bd., which they sit on, without heir new "found demands")? What did you say about the demands during the Ex. Bd. James? I heard you said that you "obviously agreed with them".<BR/><BR/>Did you guys vote against them at the DA?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163133776731942252006-11-09T23:42:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:42:00.000-05:00Thank you all for admitting about this contract "d...Thank you all for admitting about this contract "discussion" (as the last one) is not about the membership or political reality but about internal UFT politics. Despite what Norm says, you want a vote, not what is good for the membership!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163132590754361082006-11-09T23:23:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:23:00.000-05:00Norm makes it seem like it is OK to vote "yes'" fo...Norm makes it seem like it is OK to vote "yes'" for this contract. Yet ICE has and continues to do everything possible sabotage it from going forward. Besides the ridiculous praise of Jeff Kaufman's joy at pontificating way too long at the DA, ICE's tactic is to sabotage, save no expense, including the membership. <BR/><BR/>As for his statement that "ICE as a group has not taken a position" on the contract, then why did both they vote against it in the negotiating committee, the Ex. Bd., the DA and are trying to fill our membership with lies as in this post. It is not a position I suppose just an M.O. - "anything that Randi does I'm against"<BR/><BR/>Tell the truth Norm, you don't care about the membership, you just hate Randi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163131392508983652006-11-09T23:03:00.000-05:002006-11-09T23:03:00.000-05:00Jeff Eterno, hooray for Farmingdale. And all these...Jeff Eterno, hooray for Farmingdale. And all these other places too. Is that the best you can do, show us other contracts? You were on the negotiating committee, weren’t you? Plenty of members there to talk to? But Jeff Kauffman says himself that at the end of the day, only 3 members voted against this deal at the committee. I’m guessing one was Jeff K and one was you. Who was the third? <BR/><BR/>You couldn’t even convince a couple of teachers in a negotiating committee to go along with your plan (did you even have one), but somehow you’d have done a better job with Bloomberg. This is bankrupt stuff, Eterno. <BR/><BR/> This is a good contract. And it’s the best contract we were going to get under this DoE/city administration. I know it, the members know it, Klein knows it, TJC knows it, ICE knows it, and in your heart probably even you know it too.Teacher Voiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359760490948953593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163130855527969512006-11-09T22:54:00.000-05:002006-11-09T22:54:00.000-05:00HOW DARE YOU!!!I heard about ICE's hijacking as of...HOW DARE YOU!!!<BR/><BR/>I heard about ICE's hijacking as official UFT literature. They did this last year also as if they spoke for the UFT. ICE took the UFT logo and portrayed it as if their b*llsh*t was official union policy! How dare you lie to the membership about what over 1200 delegates decided both in Oct and Nov representing all 1400 schools as your 20 person point of view! They spoke, loud and clear, and it is official union policy to bring this proposed contract to the membership<BR/><BR/>Who the f**k do you think you are to manipulate us. Talk about Karl Rove tactics. This is why they lost and why you are despicable anti-unionists fascists.<BR/><BR/>SHAME ON YOU!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163130598245415322006-11-09T22:49:00.000-05:002006-11-09T22:49:00.000-05:00James said:"I fully acknowledge that we have made ...James said:<BR/><BR/>"I fully acknowledge that we have made strides in closing the gap in salaries when compared with the surrounding areas. But in terms of teaching and learning conditions and our rights, we are further behind than ever compared with most of the suburbs."<BR/><BR/>(Note: took out the last sentence because it should end here)<BR/><BR/> <BR/>This is the message you should be sending out because simply stated it sums up the whole truth and will get Randi ousted. Forget about putting all your energy on voting this contract down because if it wins with a wide margin, you will look like the Republicans.<BR/><BR/>What you stated above so eloquently<BR/>will send chills down the spines of the rank and file.<BR/><BR/>It's time to steer away from a losing battle realize your ultimate goal...New Leadership!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163129870238572502006-11-09T22:37:00.000-05:002006-11-09T22:37:00.000-05:00ICE has spun so many conspiracy theories about Ran...ICE has spun so many conspiracy theories about Randi I guess she was solely responsible for the change of power in the House of Representatives and Senate also.<BR/><BR/>In that case - Thank you again Randi!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163129468731055302006-11-09T22:31:00.000-05:002006-11-09T22:31:00.000-05:00Why doesn't Jeff speak for himself instead of hidi...Why doesn't Jeff speak for himself instead of hiding behind the many anonymous (anonymi?)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163126528255757602006-11-09T21:42:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:42:00.000-05:00Bush, Rumsfeld, Hastert, Frist, et.al all arrogant...Bush, Rumsfeld, Hastert, Frist, et.al all arrogantly believed their power would not come to an end. Only after they screwed the American people a few too many times, did the people take back the government that was theirs. We can't bring back the lives that have been lost in Iraq, but we can prevent new deaths. Randi's arrogance will end. She worries about grabs at her power, not about the membership she is duty-bound to protect. We must stop the death of the NYC Public Schools and the UFT. Rejecting this contract will be a good first step.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163125820923031632006-11-09T21:30:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:30:00.000-05:00Once again you guys are so full of hate you don't ...Once again you guys are so full of hate you don't see the greater picture. By asking people to vote no when you know this will pass is total stupidity on your part. If you keep on this track you will lose even more.<BR/><BR/>For heaven's sake, spend some money and seek out a good PR firm to get you to your real goal--ousting Unity!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163125148967380192006-11-09T21:19:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:19:00.000-05:00Mr. or Ms. 9:07We must be ecstatic after the last ...Mr. or Ms. 9:07<BR/><BR/>We must be ecstatic after the last contract with all the givebacks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163125122936602232006-11-09T21:18:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:18:00.000-05:00Since we are coming to Thankgiving and I was raise...Since we are coming to Thankgiving and I was raised on a farm in the Southern Tier I remember the words of Robert Louis "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." The new proposed contract does allow us to reap a harvest, but it plants no seeds. We must look to the future and the shortsightedness of our leadership is astonishing. Our working conditions deteriorate with each passing day; the days and years have grown longer; the supervision more oppressive. We must plant the seeds- or we will perish. We must stop the loss of our rights. We must say no to this deal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163124968665611752006-11-09T21:16:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:16:00.000-05:00From the NYC Educator Blog:I didn't realize it was...From the NYC Educator Blog:<BR/><BR/>I didn't realize it was tomorrow. But it turns out schools in Nassau are all closed, in recognition of Veteran's Day. You remember that holiday where we show respect for those who've faught for our country? Unlike city offices, schools are open tomorrow.<BR/><BR/>Thank goodness we have Unity at our side. It's true, of course, that they gave us the innovative sixth class (the one that is not a class). It's true they made us do hall duty, cafeteria duty, and potty patrol. It's true we can no longer grieve inaccurate material in our files. <BR/><BR/>We may have the longest school year in the region, and we may not be able to transfer. We may be guilty until proven innocent, we may be subject to 90-day unpaid suspension, and we may be sent out to wander an endless purgatory of substitute teaching for no offense whatsoever. And no, we didn't get that 25-55 legislation they promised us along with the above goodies.<BR/><BR/>But the Great Randini and Leo Casey sacrificed as well. The UFT office is open one entire hour extra every week. Consider that while you inspect the potties.<BR/><BR/>Can you imagine what it must take for them to spend one extra hour doing whatever it is they do in there? Thank goodness there weren't any givebacks in the new contract. I'd hate to think of them spending yet another hour.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to join Unity and get my daughter a patronage position. Should I tell her to bring a coloring book, or do you think they already have them?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, before you complain about working Veteran's Day, think of that extra hour, and how many times Propaganda Minister Leo Casey has to play Minespeeper before it passes.<BR/><BR/>Posted by NYC Educator at 8:30 PMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163124456743738042006-11-09T21:07:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:07:00.000-05:00Members of opposition caucuses within the union, s...<B> Members of opposition caucuses within the union, such as Teachers for a Just Contract and the Independent Community of Educators, urge teachers to vote “no” and send our union leadership a message that we can and should do better. We also need to reject this cynical attempt by the union leadership to gain votes in this year’s union election. </B><BR/><BR/>How do you spell P-R-O-J-E-C-T-I-O-N?<BR/><BR/>SLUSH and TJC are opposing a good contract because they are afraid that teachers might just vote for a leadership which delivered that contract. And they talk about cynical attempts to gain votes.<BR/><BR/>The only thing that would make them happy is a bad conract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163124392616902772006-11-09T21:06:00.000-05:002006-11-09T21:06:00.000-05:00Boy, looking at many of these comments, it appears...Boy, looking at many of these comments, it appears the hacks have been hacking! People within the UFT with opposing viewpoints are not the enemy. To paraphrase the campaign statement of a few years ago, It's the bosses, stupid. Stop attacking, detracting, and worrying about losing your power and argue the issues. This MOA is not good for the future of teachers in NYC Public Schools. The Mayor should not control education in our City. We are allowing him once again to take the reins and ride us into the ground. We must vote no.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163123748675511832006-11-09T20:55:00.000-05:002006-11-09T20:55:00.000-05:00As the New York Times noted, the teachers’ settlem...As the New York Times noted, the teachers’ settlement “seemed to be part of a larger strategy by the Bloomberg administration to pave the way for separate talks aimed at achieving crucial savings on health care and pension costs, which have climbed sharply in recent years.” No give-backs, yeah, right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-1163123504026717622006-11-09T20:51:00.000-05:002006-11-09T20:51:00.000-05:00to Jeffrey Zahler- I assume that you did not sign ...to Jeffrey Zahler- I assume that you did not sign the Confidentiality Agreement required by all members of the Negotiating Committee. Because, if you had, you would not be able to comment on what Jeff K said or did not say during those closed sessions. I think members should be advised about your inability to keep confidences when divulging them gives you political advantage. Shame on YOU. Confidential means just that. Concentrate on the Contract that you love so much and not the opposition. It seems it turns personal when you have no substance to argue. We get it- you hate Jeff K. Now tell us why we should support this contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com