Saturday, February 14, 2015

ARBITRATOR RULES ACTIVE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR RETIREE LUMP SUM PAYMENTS

In a decision announced on a Friday before a holiday when nobody was watching, an arbitrator has ruled that UFT members who retired between November 1, 2009 and June 30, 2014 will get their retroactive cash payments immediately.

Because our union and the city couldn't figure out that so many people would choose to retire rather than continue working for the Department of Education, they were short $60 million in funding for paying the retirees.  To make up for that shortfall, active members will now pay a small price.

The contract has been extended for another month.  It will now end on November 30, 2018 instead of October 31.  In addition part of the 5% raise scheduled to take place on May 1, 2018 will be deferred for six weeks.  We were supposed to finally get the last 2% of the 2009-11 money added to our salaries on May 1, 2018 in addition to a new 3% increase.  Now the 2% will be added as scheduled but the 3% raise will be deferred until June 16, 2018.

Just another new indignity added to many for working teachers. You would think Mayor Bill de Blasio, who clearly beat the UFT in negotiations, could have thrown the union a bone on this one. By agreeing to accept an inferior pattern setting agreement, the UFT saved the city billions of dollars. 

To sum it all up, Michael Mulgrew, who already set the worst municipal pattern setting settlement that I can remember with 10% over 7 years, has allowed an arbitrator to make it a little worse at 10% over 7 years and a month.

Great negotiating guys.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Wall Street needed a bailout, money would be forthcoming.

Anonymous said...

Watch Mulgrew change the constitution AGAIN to increase the voting percentage of retirees in the 2016 union election especially since he managed to screw the inservice members.

He'll most likely tell the retirees, "who's your daddy?"

Worse contract ever! I'm a retiree. It's good to know that I'm receiving my retro but I truly feel bad for my brothers and sisters. The fault lies on the leadership, not the rank and file.

I will remember this horrible contract come May 2016.

Anonymous said...

I am also a retiree-and I feel bad for in-service members-as this contract was really only beneficial for recent retirees (June 30 and before). Mulgrew and crew did a terrible job at the negotiating table by claiming they were unprepared for a higher number of retirees. What in the world were they expecting to happen!!?They were warned by Stringer that the city only had a 180 million payable amount for retro retirees. But Mulgrew was more interested in showing Bloomberg that he could get a new quick contract-with the new city leadership that had the two 4% retros from 2009-2010-- that Bloomberg denied. However, this contract is 'very complicated for all in-service members' (Mulgrew's own words).It is simply a very poor agreement as it doesn't make sense for RETRO payments to paid out in the FUTURE over a 5 year period. I also understand that the health/medical part of the contract-can still reopened for negotiation by the city. Who knows what other adjustments in this contract-could occur down the road. Mulgrew got lucky with this arbitrator-as it actually could have been a worse decision instead of a 'minor adjustment' (Mulgrew's own words).The rank and file have to seriously consider a change in UFT leadership in 2016-maybe even sooner, if possible.

Anonymous said...

How is the contract even still valid? Experts have gone on record saying the way the retro is being paid is illegal, you cant pay retro in the future and all not pay it to certain people for certain reasons. And now they just extended it and changed dates of pay, after the vote last year.

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew should be banned from any meetings regarding education in New York, and arrested and placed in handcuffs for trespassing if he tries to enter. Then, the legitimate educators who have been misrepresented for so long should vote on a new leadership, that could truly speak in one voice for the best interests of public education in our state. Enough is enough already...get rid of the creeps like Mulgrew and Weingarten, let's set our Union on the path that it has wrongfully been taken off, and then let's prosecute and punish these criminals.

Anonymous said...

The contract adjustments are probably legal since the city and UFT agreed to binding arbitration. Therefore, no new vote has to be done the rank and file membership. Even- if there was a new vote on the adjustments-it would still pass.

Anonymous said...

What do think they will do with the extended time...the same thing. Drop back and punt. There is little doubt they will leave the decision to each principal and Mulgrew will spin it as a victory for self-determination.

Anonymous said...

Looks like deBlasio punched us in the face and rubbed our noses in it.

Anonymous said...

You think this adjustment is bad...Just wait until the sell out of high needs schools when Mulgrew and the UFT agree to allow them to be placed into receivership. The members in those schools will have NO CONTRACT! The receiver is allowed to bypass collective bargaining agreements. CapitalNewYork is reporting that Cuomo asked the Regents to look at the Lowell, Massachusetts model. Members should read the article. The mass destruction of the unionized teaching force in NYC is just beginning.

Mr.Hughesonline said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Is this a loan or was it stolen? Or is it just splitting up our money in one pool?
http://atradventures.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Where's Raving Lunatic? Even he isn't gloating about this latest win.

Bronx ATR said...

You're right, that's coming next.

Anonymous said...

This nazi Mulgrew has ROYALLY SCREWED the UFT membership with a contract that can be opened at any time and changes made at some arbitrators whim.

Anonymous said...

How could it have been worse? I am paying hundreds of dollars in deferring a raise so you can have your money now?

Anonymous said...

I will tell you how it could get worse, just wait until the next time Mulgrew sends a dispute to this arbitrator. He can muck it up in any way he chooses.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS ALL VERY DISCONCERTING IF NOT FRIGHTENING, BEING IN A LOW PERFORMING SCHOOL FACING THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING PLACED IN RECEIVERSHIP, WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Anonymous said...

Organize

Anonymous said...

WALK OUT!!! Anything is better than this. I think I'd be happier saying, "Good Morning and Welcome to Wal-Mart." Now, imagine schools losing enough teachers to make it matter.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to in service teachers to wait a month for their last payment.

Those of us who retired before 06/30/14 would do the same for you, if the situation was reversed.

I am still waiting for my retro lump sum to be deposited into my account by next Friday.

I can then, and only the, feel REAL retirement. Let us all be thankful for the tedious negoiation that took place in our behalf.

This was out of the glare of the media and people who think they know better.

Anonymous said...

It is a month and a half but at least you acknowledge the active people. Thank you.