Other unions also don't stay neutral when a politician goes after them. For example, the Chicago Teachers Union opposed Mayor Rahm Emanuel's reelection and their endorsed candidate, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, is now heading into a runoff with Rahm because the mayor did not get the necessary 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Rahm spent millions of dollars and had President Barack Obama's endorsement. In spite of this, it was 45% to for Rahm and 34% for Chuy with other candidates getting the remainder. It still won't be easy to win but it is possible.
Our strategy in New York is best summed up by a commenter called Raving Apologist:
Raving Apologist said...
Thanks to Harris Lirtzman for sending out the latest budget news and the Chicago results.
I know a Unityista who's a chapter rep at an elementary school in the Bronx. Last summer, he told me how the city is "broke". I laughed at him and asked him if the union thinks we are all that uninformed and stupid. He also told me what terrible teachers the ATRs are. I asked him if his school closed and he wasn't rehired, how he'd feel after a couple of years of changing schools every week. Such callous scum, these so-called Unity representatives.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't surprise me one bit. I did write about how the City had more money coming in that was hidden in the budget and that we shouldn't vote for the contract.
ReplyDelete“Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.”
ReplyDelete― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
To some it up: This happens when the Unity Caucus needs to spread their fictitious information in their Unity newsletters which is given to the CLs, who are beholden to the Unity Caucus.
I thought the last quote came from Mr Ed the talking horse. Didn't he talk to Wilbur too?
ReplyDeleteNot ALL chapter leaders are Unity. It is often true that those CLs that are not Unity are ostracized by their District Reps.
ReplyDeleteGet in touch with us if you need support. We're happy to help.
DeleteDr. Marvul,
ReplyDeleteI told you so. Stop being running with the sheep.
http://atradventures.blogspot.com
Thank you for the offer of support, I retired in the mass exodus that Unity couldn't even figure out how to properly fund, after writing a carrot, I mean contract, to encourage all those eligible to leave.
ReplyDeleteOne would think that a New York rank and file would be feisty and not take the crap that is handed down by Unity.
Looks like Chicago has it over us by far.
What will it take for the members to stand up to recreat a union that has their best interest as its first concern?
Chuy is a creation of the Chicago Teachers Union when Karen Lewis had to drop out. Amazing how that social justice union in Chicago managed to pull this off - they have left-wing political smarts because they have a coherent political direction which enabled them to be clear that they had to stand against Rahm, while the UFT/NYSUT waffled with Cuomo and is afraid of the word "left."
ReplyDeleteYou can only blame the UFT PRESIDENT, an inept, naieve, ill-informed, MICHAEL MULGREW.
ReplyDeleteHow did we wind up with such a dummy as our leader?
I guess its just a reflection of our membership. I am embarrassed to be a member of this union.
Chicago and Cuomo is not a fair comparison. CTU did do a great job in this election but that's because they can influence city politics. They haven't been as successful at statewide politics. Look at their governor now. Just as bad as Cuomo If not worse because of a complacent legislature. UFT couldn't move the whole state even if they wanted to. To big and out of reach
ReplyDeleteWhat about NYSUT? Remember when Chuck Schumer upset Al D'amato. That was us.
Delete