This document from the UFT was up on MORE's Facebook page. I find the document fascinating in that the UFT resolved many paperwork complaints but I am willing to bet that most schools do at least two or three of what is on this list. Please tell us that isn't so.
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It's posted on UFT's facebook and and was distributed at Brooklyn UFT meetings for chapter leaders. I believe most of these rules are being violated. There are chapters without chapter leaders, there are chapter where most members are young, not tenured and afraid to speak up, and there are chapter leaders who are in bed with the administration and refuse to challenge any violation.
Can we get a list of some of these chapters or is this based on hearsay?
What about Jupiter Grades, that is forced upon some schools.
Our principal makes us do all that shit for QR. Also asks us for professional goals for the year in September. I am so old that I don't even care anymore.
It is not based on hearsay. At least two of these things are based on paperwork complaints from my school, and I now see another, from the list, that I will likely replicate.
So when will UFT fight to dump the unannounced FOUR OBSERVATIONS????
If UFT wants my dues money, they will have to get us the two observations - LIKE THE REST OF NY STATE TEACHERS - and bring back ability to file grievances for any letter to file or any observation that is Developing or Ineffective.
Lots of talk out there about pulling dues. The UFT will have to step it up.
Lots of jobs at UFT offices will be lost if things don't change.
Hell yes! Good to hear someone else as as livid as I in regard to the 4 observations. I am 2 Observations and Parking Permit guy and I approve this message.
The whole point was to say these Chapters stepped up and got changes. Members and Chapters need to come forward or nothing will change. We can't expect the Union to do it for us although some of this could be done citywide for sure.
If you want two observations, what are you willing to do to put pressure on the UFT-DOE to follow most of the rest of the state and get NYC teachers two? Pulling your dues will not accomplish that goal.
James, in my school, like many others, CL is in bed with principal and does nothing about violations.
Show CL the memo or posting. If CL does not fight, reproduce it for staff. Spring is CL election.
8:42, Mulgrew has told DA electronic grading is voluntary. I think Jupiter and Engrade would be included there.
Two Observations and Parking Permit guy here. James, I am not planning on pulling my dues. I have written many letters to the UFT in regard to the parking permit situation. And guess what? We eventually got our parking permits back! (Even though it was the CSA who really pushed the issue) In regard to getting 2 observations, I have reached out with numerous messages to the UFT and they NEVER wrote me back. At my elementary school, not a single UFT rep has shown up since last Christmas when the UFT agreed to 4 observations with the DOE. What else have I done? Well, in the last 2 citywide UFT elections I got almost every single teacher at my school to vote for MORE candidates. I also urged them to vote "No" on the last contract. There is only so much I can do. Spreading the word on these blogs is also very helpful.
Sorry James...the only way to show UFT leaders that the members are unhappy is to pull their dues.
I've called UFT, written emails, got my school to vote for MORE, etc ....
AND what changed? Very little. Maybe when Mulgrew is forced to fire his friends at UFT, maybe then will we see an interest in defending and protecting members.
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In general, I do agree that a weakened union is better than no union. However, this is a CORRUPT union. Big difference.
If you need a list of chapters where this happening you need to get out more my friend. Anyone that has friends or colleagues working other schools knows the micromanaging that is happening in direct violation to our contract. Now if youre TFA or a fellow, from the suburbs or midwest, drink that unicorn slush from starbucks and see only rainbows, then I can understand why you need to see a list. Dont worry we know youre leaving in 2 years after your loan is paid off and you failed to save all the black and brown kids. Now you can go become an attorney or better yet consultant telling the real teachers how to do their job.
This was posted on UFT's official facebook page. The reason these violations go unchallenged: there are schools without a functioning chapter/chapter leader, there is a young staff/untenured afraid to speak up, the chapter leader is in bed with the administration, it's a unity chapter leader more concerned with the party line rather than their own school, and last, but most prevalent and the third rail on union elementary school teachers generally do as theyre told and offer little to no push back. They follow their principals and never question anything.
I and many I know will pull our dues until we see Mulgrew step down. We will not wait for another SHAM election.
When new leadership is installed, and they start SERVING membership (not themselves) like they are supposed to, we will be happy to re join and become dues paying members again.
This is the only way to effect change at this corrupt organization known as the UFT.
Im in opposition- i somewhat agree. it is a sham because retirees vote and the officer positions and so many more are voted as "at large" meaning no mater what division or position you have, you vote for just about every officer. For example, high school teachers voted MORE/New Action, but the VP of high schools is unity because they count all votes. In a way its not a sham, if all the rank and file voted and wanted unity out-they would indeed be out, even with the perks, loyalty oath, retirees and at large. Most UFT members dont vote. if someone with a high school diploma (paras) or even a graduate degree (teachers) cant take 5 minutes to google unity or more caucus and cant find their way to a mailbox, then they have no reason to complain.
Thank you for organizing two obervations and a parking permit.
It is corrupt 12:09 because we as a rank and file allow it. Two ways to change it:vote Unity out or start over with a new union. I have talked over and over on how change will be difficult but pulling dues will significantly weaken UFT's hand. It is cutting off your nose to spite Mulgrew's face.
Mulgrew's is a symptom. Unity Caucus is the disease. When Randi left for DC, people said to give Mulgrew's a chance. How well did that turn out 1:53?
High schools have had an entrenched opposition since the UFT started. We are marginalized by Unity. DOE treats us worse. See massive school closings as exhibit A.
What about Mastery Connect? We use this instead of Binders and it takes up a lot of time...
James - the point is I applaud all your efforts but the truth is it's not enough. Voting Unity out is nearly impossible with the way they've structured the organization. I'm more inclined to joining a new union.
In my opinion, MORE/the opposition needs a new strategy if they wish to win other divisions. Posting on social media, blogging and making some noise at UFT exec board meetings is not enough.
File the complaint 3:39.
3:40, You are correct. Read our October 5 posting please. We explained in detail on how extaordinarily difficult changing UFT is.
It is sad, but true that membership is too lazy or apathetic to vote in the UFT election. However, people tend to pay a little more attention when it comes to money on the table, and if they know they can save over $1000 a year by pulling out, I think the lazy and apathetic will make that effort.
CL and admin have the massive fight over unit plans year after year. The problem is that the ass kissers happily fill out the 4-6 page version, while bitches like me do the one page. And don't even get me started on data.
Because, dont you know, they are going to change the lives of the poverty black kids...
7:05, There are butt kissers in just about every school. The key is to get the majority behind the Union Chapter. Not always easy I know.
James, this was actually posted on UFT Solidarity's Facebook page two weeks ago. I know, because those red markings are ones I made before we posted. On the admin side of our page we saw this post was was viewed over 27,000 times in less than a week.
Sure there are abusive admins, ATR and probationary teacher issues, but paperwork issues are one constant we see everywhere. UFT Solidarity created the anonymous paperwork online complaint form over a year before Unity did. Either way, paperwork reduction has been in the contract for years. good to see it is finally making headlines.
As far as elections being a sham, UFT Solidarity yet again extended the olive branch to MORE NAC to fight election violations. Again, for the upteenth time, we were met with silence.
A short year from now we will be in full Election 2019 swing. We don't know details and candidates yet, but if we run, this time we will have a slate. And since MORE has refused to work or communicate with us since 2014, then let's take a wild guess as to what will happen in the next election.
PS: As we posted one of the election violations was a AAA tech editing numbers on an Excel sheet that printed the results, then anonymous above is incorrect in stating that Mulgrew would be out if everyone voted against him. History taught us long ago it's not who votes that counts, but who counts the votes.
I would say it's "time to wake up" however as that hasn't happened yet, then it's probably not going to happen.
Francesco, What happened to your 2016 election violation complaint? The federal Department of Labor dismissed the ATR election complaint that you, August, Al Zucker and I filed in 2014 because they said the Delegate Assembly, the highest policymaking body in the UFT, makes no policy so isn't subject to federal election rules.
I have little faith in the system but I don't think Unity tampers with the vote counts. We would not have won the high schools if they did in 2016. In 2001 there was a recount where the opposition picked up more votes in the recount.
I don't know what you mean by time to wake up. I've been trying to get to people for years. It's not easy as our Union is so huge. It requires a massive effort.
Thank you for posting the memo.
After two months of investigating, the DOL pulled the plug. Order came from Washington. http://www.uftsolidarity.org/us-department-labor-pulls-plug-uft-investigation/
I meant waking up about working together.
If they pulled the plug on the investigation, that means you lost? No fraud. UFT too smart for that.
Anon,
According to DOL, they will still be issuing letters to UFT and AAA about allegations and taking a closer look at next election. They are also available to show up to locations where allegations of violations might be occurring. Whole process was not in vein. They call it a LEAP program where they watch over next time.
Bet that to Portelos, working together means agreeing he gets to run for president. There may not be much of a union to fight for in 2019.
Anon 10:20, you'd lose that bet.
Didn't Portelos become an administrator yet? Or is his still too busy ratting on UFT members to jump ship?
I'd be glad to lose that bet. When you announce you won't run if the other groups say they are willing to work with Solidarity that might work out for everyone. If they don't want to work with you then go for it.
I'd place a bet that you'll stay behind the anonymous curtain instead of having real talks that would benefit the entire membership.
President Mulgrew spent the summer training with AFT. I spent 5 weeks in Greece with my family. Trust me, I'm not crying. I don't decide who Solidarity chooses to run. We're democratic. Your behind the curtain proposal is everything but democratic.
Well this is great. One caucus doesn't have the base, but fights the fights that matter to the membership and the other has a larger base and connections, yet fights for tangential issues that do not matter to the members. And they won't work together. Unity wins members lose.
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