Welcome back to what should be a very interesting school year for 2017-2018. In 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court will probably take away automatic union dues for non-members (agency fees) which could really change the work place landscape. Maybe teachers will use the time before Janus v AFSCME is decided to think a little deeper about getting more active as far as union representation is concerned.
We will have 12.5% of the money that has been owed to us since 2009-2011 paid back interest free on the October 15 paycheck. The final 2% of the 2009-2011 retroactive 8% raises that other city unions received back then will at last be added to our regular pay next May and in June of 2018 we will see a 3% pay increase. That is the final raise of the subpar 2014 contract which will finally expire at the end of November 2018.
For the record I slept a few hours last evening which normally does not happen on the night before school starts. Either I am optimistic or close enough to retirement that some of the butterflies in my stomach have finally gone away.
As I am now getting to work, I feel some apprehension. The worry feels kind of normal. I am sure I will feel the same way Thursday when the kids arrive.
Have a great year all!
28 comments:
ATR, already being jerked around, told 3 different stories by 1 pm, not sure if im subbing or covering a program in license...After 3 hours of restorative justice training, yeah, keep letting them run wild, because no punishment makes them feel better.
The United Federation of Teachers is drafting plans to dramatically slash its $182 million budget — anticipating a Supreme Court ruling that would bar mandatory deduction of union dues from government workers’ paychecks to support union activities, The Post has learned.
The ruling could deliver a severe blow to union budgets by reducing membership and revenues by millions of dollars.
The 187,000-member UFT collects $56 twice monthly from each teacher’s paycheck via automatic payroll deductions.
If the Supreme Court rules against government employee unions, membership and dues revenues would likely plummet by 20 percent to 30 percent, labor sources said. The union would have to get written consent directly from teachers to collect dues from them.
“There’s concern some teachers would say no to paying union dues,” said a UFT insider briefed on the discussions. “How many people are disgusted with the union?”
UFT president Mike Mulgrew addressed top union officials at a retreat last week and repeatedly warned that “big change is coming.”
The belt-tightening may have already begun. The event was held at UFT headquarters at 52 Broadway instead of the Hilton Westchester in Rye, NY, where the union typically holds its retreats.
“Given the anti-union sentiment at the national level, the UFT is prepared to meet any challenges to its efforts on behalf of the membership,” a UFT spokesman said when asked about planned cutbacks.
The UFT is a massive, far-flung enterprise with a $42 million payroll that includes more than 700 members paid to perform full-time or part-time union duties.
The payroll includes borough reps, district reps and 65 staffers each making more than $150,000. Mulgrew pulls in $283,000.
The UFT empire includes offices in all five boroughs and the lease of a building in Delray Beach, Fla., to serve thousands of retirees in the Sunshine State.
The budget also includes millions of dollars in spending to law firms and media and political consultants to advance the union’s collective-bargaining strategy and broader agenda. Millions more are spent on catered events, conventions and donations to allied groups, including the NAACP, New York Communities for Change and The Black Institute.
Internal discussions include paring some of the borough staff and offices and curbing discretionary spending. Positions would be eliminated through attrition following retirements, sources said.
The UFT is not alone. All unions representing government workers are in the same predicament.
The Transport Workers Union — which represents 38,000 city transit workers who operate the subways and buses — knows it’s likely to lose easy access to dues collections.
The TWU’s right to automatic dues collections was revoked for 17 months as punishment for waging an illegal strike in 2015. The union had to collect the dues manually, and lost millions of dollars in revenue because many workers didn’t cough up the dough.
Supreme Court justices last year deadlocked 4-4 on a union-shop dues case called Friedrichs v. the California Teachers Association.
The court lacked a tie-breaking vote because of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, but Justice Neil Gorsuch this year replaced Scalia.
A new case on union dues collection, Janus v. AFSCME, is expected to land soon on the Supreme Court docket.
The last two comments are a NYPOST article.
How about the principal's union? What is their status in all this?
QUESTION: If Janus wins, how fast would NYC teachers be able to opt out of paying dues? I am not planning on leaving the UFT but I am curious as to the timeframe of how quickly teachers will leave after Janus happens. I have a feeling that about 40% or a tad more might leave if given the chance. UFT should start taking surveys of members to see who is gonna stay and who is gonna leave. Man, it is gonna be a shit show if Janus wins as UFT teachers will be pitted agains non-dues payers. (And yes, word will get out in your school as to who is paying dues and who is not)
I applaud the soon to be decided Janus vs AFSCME. If the union can't get the TDA fixed fund back to 8.25 like the CSA union, and negotiate a contract that is favorable to the current contract then they don't deserve my dues. In District 24 we have District Reps who visit during lunch periods but always arrive late. Our class sizes are so over crowded but the Reps do little to solve it.
I personally know A LOT of teachers at my school who will stop paying dues if Janus goes through. A poster above asked when it would go into effect after the case is done. Great question. Any thoughts?
But Mulgrew was making public statements about DACA today. Thanks asshole. How about fixing problems I deal with everyday first.
He lives and works in an ivory tower. Doesnt have to deal with crime and abuse.
wish i saw some of these comments/suggestions/observations of the uft facebook page! use a pseudonym.
I meet with my principal tomorrow to choose how many observations I want. Unlike the rest of NYS I will have to pick a minimum of 4. Thanks for nothing UFT.
5:52, We are in unchartered water with Janus so we don't know when people can stop paying dues. We do not know if it will be an opt out or if out will be default and we will have to opt back in. Let's see the decision first.
Hey UFT!!! Want to help teachers????
TWO OBSERVATIONS.....NOT FOUR
Article said we would have to opt in to pay. Good luck with that.
Opt in to pay dues? Wow! If that is the case, the UFT will be be history in about 5 years. Most new teachers are only planning on sticking around for a few years to get some experience before they go to the suburbs. You think they are gonna wanna toss the UFT over a grand of cash each year? Top that off with a bunch of folks near retirement, add in a bunch of openly disgruntled teachers, and then don't forget the silent sufferers and you have the perfect storm for a mass walk away from the rank and file. If it is indeed opt in, that would be the time to start a new, militant union from the ground up. (I am also guessing that if the time does finally come when the UFT dies, (Thankfully, unless a Constitutional Convention happens and new laws are passed, we will still have the Triborough law that would keep whatever contract we have at that time in place even after the UFT dies) This is an important thing to consider. We will still have whatever "rights"that exist in that future contract but wages will be frozen after that contract expires.
If there is no union there is no contract therefore the Triibourough doesn't exist. I think a crappy union is better than no union. I worked in a charter school and it was the worst. If they said jump, you asked how high. Doesn't this Janus case effect ALL unions not just ours??? Those who want to leave the union should leave but they should not receive the benefits. If the goal is to divide teachers then you are playing right into their hands.
Yes you would lose all the union benefits, but they should also make those who don't pay negotiate their own pay. Why should my money help those who do not pay. Yes a bad union is better than no union today.
Trioborough amendment would hold if we have the UFT, even if people leave or started a new union. We have no idea how narrowly or wide the decision will be written by the Court. The Post does not know either.
Yep. I believe James is correct. If Janus wins and dues become an opt in situation, then even if everyone quits paying dues to the UFT, that last UFT contract would stay in effect until a new contract is negotiated by whatever is left of the UFT. (Even if one person decides to pay dues) However, there is the possibility of one or more "new" unions that could start up each with their own contract. As mentioned, this is unchartered territory. However, don't fall for scare tactics by the UFT saying that if you quit, we will loose our contract rights. Triborough would stay in effect even if the UFT goes away due to Janus. But as a poster earlier said, wages would freeze at the salary step and longevity contained in whatever contract was in effect at the time that the UFT crumbles. I also agree that a shitty union is better than no union. And I am somewhat hopeful that since the UFT is now planning for a mass walk out of 30% of the rank and file that they will finally get their shit together and fight for teachers. We will see!
Lets see...How many rules have been broken after one day? How many schools gave no time to prep classrooms even tho the day was to be devoted to that, according to the contract? How many should get a hardship travel transfer? UFT...Silence. "Off to a good start"
Anonymous 5:31, before any new union has a contract with the DOE, it would have to 1) successfully de-certify the UFT as bargaining representative for teachers, guidance counselors, secretaries, etc., then 2) win legal recognition from the employer, and then 3) negotiate a contract.
However reluctant Unity Caucus may be to fight for its dues-paying members, rest assured they'll fight to the death to remain sole bargaining representative. Likewise, the DOE seems very comfortable with the current arrangement, in which the union helps manage the workforce, and would probably be very resistant to any change.
Michael, A new union does not have to be the whole UFT. Parts could break off. PERB, not the employer, would have to recognize a new union if teachers voted for it. I agree the UFT and DOE would fight like hell against any change for sure.
Thanks James. You gave us all a ray of hope. Curious as to how many of you guys have talked to your fellow co-teachers and asked if they are planning on quitting the UFT? I think it is not a good idea to quit right away until the grondwork of a new union such as MORE is ready to take their place.
If Janus passes, will it negatively affect our pension in the long run? Fewer members=less funds in our pension?! I don't know, some pension plans are suffering now and possibly in the long term and I don't want this to happen to us. Any ideas folks?
I agree @ 9:56. We may be cutting off our hands... the goal is to break the union and have everyone earn less and work more. A weak union is better than no union. Let's fix the leak--not burn the house.
Pension is covered by state law and has nothing directly to do with the UFT.
I am not sure how the UFT supports the teachers in my school. Many of us work 10 - 12 hour days. We attend numerous non-paid and non-reimbursed workshops and conferences throughout the year; including the summer. Lesson plans are pages long. The paper work is unbelievable. We have numerous administrative mandates that violate the UFT contract. I could go on and on as to the lack of support from the UFT. I need to hear some convincing evidence as to why I should support the UFT.
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