tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post8446861773375250118..comments2024-03-07T15:25:26.971-05:00Comments on ICEUFT Blog: STATE ED SAYS SCHOOLS CANNOT MANDATE COVID-19 TESTS FOR IN-PERSON SCHOOLINGJeff Kaufmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728874415155394751noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-85235600167909672222021-02-20T12:58:54.958-05:002021-02-20T12:58:54.958-05:00I wouldn’t get my hopes up at any eri that lets yo...I wouldn’t get my hopes up at any eri that lets you collect before 55. My hopes not up for an eri at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-34719479625758047152021-02-19T08:28:46.686-05:002021-02-19T08:28:46.686-05:001:37 I agree- if there ever was a time for an E...1:37 I agree- if there ever was a time for an ERI it's now. I believe it will happen and will be a cookie cutter of incentives from years ago. At minimum those of us 55+ will be able to "buy" up to 2 years of service credit. When it happens it will be sprung on us with a demand that we opt-in within a very short window (30 days). I'm 56 with 23 years and like you paying into 55/25. If it happens I'm out. <br /><br />If not, hey 2 years to go. We can make it. Drawing the big salary for 2 more years isn't the worst thing. Next year could be lower stress than a typical year, especially in high schools where attendance should be lower. Self care; use CAR days; with luck get called for jury duty. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-21143588592131500212021-02-18T19:35:19.453-05:002021-02-18T19:35:19.453-05:00So we are accepting being forced to work for free ...So we are accepting being forced to work for free on our vacation, spring break and holy days? You guys are a joke just like Mulgrew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-19047903799196683322021-02-18T15:23:42.655-05:002021-02-18T15:23:42.655-05:002:09 Everything about our job is political. Curric...2:09 Everything about our job is political. Curriculum, discipline code, contract negotiations... How do you take a stand against a political party most teachers vote for? My answer is by not voting for them. Politics is heavily involved in our day to day work life. It's not out of place in the commentary. <br /><br />1:37 I wish you well. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-25835613382634271582021-02-18T14:32:31.699-05:002021-02-18T14:32:31.699-05:001157,
You shouldn’t root for anyone to be laid of...1157,<br /><br />You shouldn’t root for anyone to be laid off from the doe. Do you not understand that once they start or principals are perceived to have that power, then it’s field day on everyone? <br /><br />So we don’t get paid for spring break? So what? I posted a few assignments last spring that the kids didn’t do any way. <br /><br />Make the doe work for you and not the other way around. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-64067113107447200092021-02-18T14:09:23.524-05:002021-02-18T14:09:23.524-05:00Enough with the political bullshit. Yeah Dems suck...Enough with the political bullshit. Yeah Dems suck and guess what Anon 2323 Reps suck too! So what’s your point? Bottom line we as a union all the way up to the AFT have to stop taking bullshit from all parties and make a stand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-38582206462834305032021-02-18T13:54:22.608-05:002021-02-18T13:54:22.608-05:00Now that it is almost a year since we worked witho...Now that it is almost a year since we worked without receiving pay for spring break, and Cuomo is badly wounded politically, and Mulgrew is just 3 months away from an opt out reckoning it is a perfect climate for us to "sit down" and strike for our spring break pay.<br /><br />We need to ask for 'green" because of the climate change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-23157731010896485122021-02-18T13:37:32.597-05:002021-02-18T13:37:32.597-05:00I've been checking the internet literally ever...I've been checking the internet literally everyday for any updated news regarding the Early Retirement Incentive. I'm well aware that there are numerous bills that have been introduced and co-sponsored by various assembly members and state senators. However, sites such as Legiscan say the same thing for all of them. They have been referred to committee. Now I'm reading that that NYS and likely the city will be receiving a huge influx of cash from the Feds which will certainly make some dent in the budget hole. Please don't get me wrong, I wish for the fiscal health of city and state. However, if there was any time for an ERI to be offered, it would be now. I'm starting to wonder if it will ever come to pass, since Cuomo may be feeling more bullish on the future fiscal health of the state.<br /><br />I'm 58 years old, I have 23 years of service. I bought into the 55/25 back in 2008 to save two years and being able to retire at 60. At this point, I don't know if I can last two more years if no ERI is introduced by the end of this year. I am seriously considering retiring no matter what after this year. I have underlying conditions that make working in my school very precarious. I will go back when it opens, and hope to have my vaccinations done. I'm just feeling burnt out, and I'm hoping against hope that the ERI will be there come June. The union said they are pushing Albany to pass this, but what the union says and what they do.......lol<br /><br />I read this wonderful blog religiously just about every day. Although James and I are on polar opposites of the political thought process, I am grateful his blog is the best source of information available online these days. <br /><br />I really feel so bad for my younger colleagues, especially those who are in Tier 6. The way the DOE is, I would say 90% of them will never come close to seeing a pension. I consider myself so fortunate to be in a position to be able to walk out anytime at this point. I'm just praying for the ERI, so that it will put me in an optimal financial situation earlier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-37570886114343549042021-02-18T11:58:53.722-05:002021-02-18T11:58:53.722-05:00I agree with you James which is nice for a change,...I agree with you James which is nice for a change, the S&p 500 brings 10%. Just like China gave 10% to the "big guy" from Hunters deals with China.<br /><br />Let's not forget Cuomo lost 1 billion on solar panels and diblsaio (warren wilhelm jr)wife closer to 1 billion on mental health initiative. That's 2 billion of at least 5 billion they completely wasted and lost for the city, how are they not executed?<br /><br />Anyone find this ironic about the word panDEMic take "DEM" out and it's PANIC.... <br />DEM PANIC 😂.Anon2323https://www.blogger.com/profile/12920550598769579282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-60174643709049948922021-02-18T11:57:46.359-05:002021-02-18T11:57:46.359-05:00They can afford to pay us Spring Break pay if they...They can afford to pay us Spring Break pay if they laid off the newbies that are not needed. There is a huge surplus of teachers anyway. If there is an ATR pool, there is clearly an excess of teachers but again logic and the doe don't go together. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-92075367415209656512021-02-18T10:34:29.086-05:002021-02-18T10:34:29.086-05:002/17 7:35
I'm tired of this false comparison. ...2/17 7:35<br />I'm tired of this false comparison. Those other jobs cannot be done safely from home. I resent the implication of cowardice because I want to keep my family safe.<br /><br />Anon 11:54<br />When a fire begins, you don't say what's the point of fighting it, the neighborhood will just be rebuilt anyway. It's about attempts to keep things under control knowing there will be some damage and accepting there will possibly be lives lost but we do what we can. And the flu never left but the numbers are down because of those Covid protective measures.<br /><br />My own side note-- I think it's foolish to open up anything yet whose purpose is entertainment, but de Blasio has never done anything with which I agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-48105671447415030252021-02-18T09:35:22.761-05:002021-02-18T09:35:22.761-05:00James, that's true, with reinvested dividends ...James, that's true, with reinvested dividends it's 10%, so the long term trend is our friend, but note that I wrote **when the market returns to trend** and that means that the above trend gains of the current bull market are not sustainable, so we can expect underperformance, below 7% returns in the future. When that happens the NYC tax payer is on the hook for the balance and the unfunded $25 billion will continue to go unfunded and it will increase as whomever runs NYC will be reluctant to raise taxes given the the fact that NYC is losing businesses and tax payers. <br /><br />A progressive Governor would be good for teachers on this count, one that, unlike the autocratic, fascist Cuomo, will raise taxes on the wealthy, who, while they certainly pay most of the taxes now, need to pay more. <br /><br />Maybe AOC, who won't get a shot at the senate or a major job in a Biden or Harris administration can be encouraged to run. Looking at how Trump faired in NY state; maybe she has a shot. Shelleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-91946929936270163962021-02-18T09:19:57.222-05:002021-02-18T09:19:57.222-05:00As per the the arbitrator, we are getting the retr...As per the the arbitrator, we are getting the retro.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-67608432265039913602021-02-18T08:24:20.169-05:002021-02-18T08:24:20.169-05:00Shelley, I agree with your analysis that the green...Shelley, I agree with your analysis that the green wave is coming but would question your long term stock projection. 7% expected return on stocks is rather conservative. <br /><br />From Nerd Wallet:<br /><br />"The average stock market return is about 10% per year for nearly the last century. The S&P 500 is often considered the benchmark measure for annual stock market returns." James Eternohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578647381229034792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-12714560990429218272021-02-18T08:07:44.503-05:002021-02-18T08:07:44.503-05:00Speaking of the Green Tide and the massive aid pac...Speaking of the Green Tide and the massive aid package heading to Broadway, Wall Street is also keeping us in the Green. <br /><br />We have a strangely funded pension in NYC, unlike pension across the country, ours is funded with tax dollars and it assumes a 7% return. It, along with the TDA funds is invested in the stock market. How else could they get 7%? Even Junk Bonds don't pay 7%<br /><br /> TRS has a $25 billion unfunded liability. <br /><br />This year, NYC will deliver 38% of each teacher’s salary to TRS. That’s in addition to what members, some contributing between 3-6% of their own salaries. And don't forget, both parties pay into Social Security.<br /><br />That $25 billion in unfunded liability suck up most of the 38%. <br /><br />Tier 6 is the kick the can down the road solution. Or kick your union brother or sister is the guts if you are in Tier 4 and voted for the contract. <br /><br />This robbing of Peter (Tier 6) to pay Paul (Tier 4 and Retirees) scheme is not sustainable. There will need to be a Tier 7 without a defined pension. <br /><br />And, the Bull will need to keep running on Wall Street above 7%. <br /><br />Right now, we in the money, but when the markets return to trend, we will have huge problem. And Mulgrew is just licking hi chops cause he knows he's going to cut the deal the ends defined pensions and keeps everybody working, maybe forever. <br /><br /><br />Shelleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-41086131680083605752021-02-18T07:44:38.399-05:002021-02-18T07:44:38.399-05:00Cuomo regularly describes New York's budget ga...Cuomo regularly describes New York's budget gap as $15 billion, although other fiscal policy experts tack the deficit at about half that number.<br /><br />New York will get about $12.7 billion in direct aid. <br /><br />But Cuomo demands more money that HE can spend and control. <br /><br />In the two-page letter responding to Cuomo's demands and to the demands of the NY State Legislature, Pelosi wrote: "Overall, New York state will receive over $50 billion in state and local funding, and more than $20 billion in additional funding to support families' health, financial security and well-being."<br /><br />That's on top of what NY got in the previous aid packages. <br /><br />Not quite a windfall, but NY State, not the hardest hit by Covid, will fair better than all but three other states. <br /><br />And, NY State and NYC are still borrowing money at negative interest rates. NY State is still rated AA+ and NYC AA- and with inflation on the rise the cost will be lower still. <br /><br />Elections matter. The fact that the Democrats only slightly favor educators on policy issues is beside the point right now because without that Blue Wave and the Green Tide of money heading to NY we would be facing layoffs. <br /><br />As things stand we are losing businesses, residents, students, and tax dollars. Trump and the Republicans were worse than Ford, infamous for telling NYC to drop dead and file bankruptcy, Mitch McConnel and his ex-best buddy 45 were going to shoot us down on Broadway and get away with it. <br /><br />Shelleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-20402198665337572802021-02-18T06:55:41.097-05:002021-02-18T06:55:41.097-05:00The ny dems put teachers in a pot of water and the...The ny dems put teachers in a pot of water and then turned on the stove and just like the poor frog you don’t realize you are being boiled alive. They’ve slowly been increasing the temperature as 1013 pointed out with his 3% to 9% example. If Trump were still in office and demanding schools open, ny dems would still be saying he’s wrong. You got what you voted for. No more Trump. No more cries from ny dems for schools to remain closed. No more cries for testing in schools. I agree with the democrats like DeBlasio, Carranza, Cuomo and Biden who agree with our former president. Time for schools to open. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-20440557600736583832021-02-17T23:54:06.243-05:002021-02-17T23:54:06.243-05:00YOU ARE NOT GETTING SPRING BREAK PAY!!!! MUST BE M...YOU ARE NOT GETTING SPRING BREAK PAY!!!! MUST BE MILLENIALS! HOW MANY TIMES SAME PEOPLE ASKING, WE HAVENT GOTTEN RETEO FROM A DECADE AGO!!! FORGET IT!!! NOT HAPPENING.<br /><br />What is the point of this vaccine if you still have to wear a mask and social distance? Let's see what happens eventually when the flu comes back, 99.7% of survival rate. NYC is doomed even with this bailout money for our wasteful leaders, nobody wants to live here and thousands of businesses are ruined forever.Anon2323https://www.blogger.com/profile/12920550598769579282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-54177316840899233602021-02-17T21:56:43.842-05:002021-02-17T21:56:43.842-05:00Great, can I get spring break pay from 11 months a...Great, can I get spring break pay from 11 months ago?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-85510801228630866402021-02-17T20:51:30.850-05:002021-02-17T20:51:30.850-05:00Money is coming soon to states and cities from DC ...Money is coming soon to states and cities from DC so the sky is not falling budget wise. People who stayed home to look out for everyone's health will be looked back upon as reasonable folks, not cowards.James Eternohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578647381229034792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-72624766992803410602021-02-17T20:00:37.711-05:002021-02-17T20:00:37.711-05:00@6:13
Key take-away #5:
5) Double standards are ...@6:13<br /><br />Key take-away #5:<br /><br />5) Double standards are justified for the greater good of promoting corporate privatization.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-42512858267831802862021-02-17T19:35:49.554-05:002021-02-17T19:35:49.554-05:00NYC is in the worst financial shape in over 40 yea...NYC is in the worst financial shape in over 40 years. This will surely mean massive layoffs, salary reductions coming our way. And let's not forget retirees. Don't think you are exempt. Oh and think you're getting the remainder of your retro money? Think again.<br />We can thank the leadership from Albany,the Emmy Award winner Cuomo, and the doofus we have as a mayor. <br />And it's also nice to know that the UFT, with its fear-based position, has contributed to the decline of this city.<br />While we have seen Supermarket workers, hospital workers and sanitation behave like heroes by going to work every day, history will look back and see New York City teachers as the Mega cowards of this pandemic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-55826738590504536832021-02-17T18:13:38.587-05:002021-02-17T18:13:38.587-05:00But if a teacher refuses covid test, they go off p...But if a teacher refuses covid test, they go off payroll.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-7948637415297671882021-02-17T16:07:30.058-05:002021-02-17T16:07:30.058-05:00Thehighwire.com for straight infoThehighwire.com for straight infoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-54195358320793810122021-02-17T16:04:30.927-05:002021-02-17T16:04:30.927-05:00This shouldn't have caught anyone by surprise ...This shouldn't have caught anyone by surprise - for what it's worth, in the "Biden plan" released last Friday it explicitly said that testing should not be forced, going so far as to say forced testing is "unethical".<br /><br />Of course the Fed DOE has very limited jurisdiction over schools but given the State and DC are controlled by the same party it shouldn't surprise anyone that they are taking the same position.TJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080823411092014871noreply@blogger.com