Norm Scott via Diane Ravitch noted at EdNotes that 98% of the strong 81% of Los Angeles, California teachers who cast a ballot voted to authorize a strike. Meanwhile out in Washington, teacher militancy fever is certainly spreading to so many districts that it is rather hard to keep track of who is on strike and who has settled. Seattle teachers agreed to a one year contract with a 10.5% raise.
In the bluest of blue cities, NYC, teachers and other UFT titles are returning to work today with a contract expiring in February. We've already exposed how our members aren't expecting much for the upcoming contract. While many are working under abusive administrators and others are Absent Teacher Reserves who don't even have a permanent school that they are assigned to, there is no sense that our union is looking for any kind of battle with the city/Department of Education even as DOE central bureaucracy continues to expand.
This is the central spending increase for the last year that was published in the Daily News in an article on DOE spending rising. Note it is not from the NY Teacher.
Also, during that period, spending on the system's central administration rose by roughly $30 million, from $470880,609 to $507,698,265, as new Chancellor Richard Carranza added to central administrative staff.
In addition, I very much doubt the union will do more than give some lip service about lower class sizes, even though it was over ten years ago that the city agreed that they were supposed to be lowered to 20 for grades K-3, 23 grades 4-8 and 25 in the high schools by 2011.
How about some collective outrage among the UFT membership?
Any ideas other than dropping union dues and hoping for the best with an even weaker union are appreciated.
Happy new school year everyone.
I think we need a protest outside of 52 Broadway. Even if it is just 50-100 people this kind of protest could make the local newspapers. Get a bunch of us holding up signs that say "PLACE ATR's NOW!", "2 OBSERVATIONS!", "REDUCE CLASS SIZE!", etc. We need to bring the stink right to the base of their ivory tower. They have fucked us over for too long. It's time to bring it to them personally!
ReplyDeleteThat was a strategy used several times before to no avail. Might be time to think about using it again.
ReplyDeleteI heard of marches at events but never heard of a march in front of 52 Broadway. Has this been done before there?
ReplyDeleteUntil teachers are willing to make a credible threat to opt out of UFT dues, nothing will change. Mulgrew is set in his ways. Weingarten is set in her ways. They have cozied up to party bosses in the Democratic party; They have sold out to the oligarchs. The only credible rebellion requires a credible threat to stop paying dues, and if necessary opting out of paying dues.
ReplyDeleteAnd what would that do? Make Mulgrew listen? If it isn't attached to a collective movement for positive change in the union, opting out is a dead end that will only make us weaker even if you personally have a few more dollars in your pocket.
ReplyDeleteWe protested outside 52 Broadway after the 2005 sellout contract came out. It moved some votes. If only a few thousand more teachers voted no back in 2005, history might be very different.
Strong medicine is needed for a very sick union. What strong medicine have you suggested?
Delete1 day down, yes I am already counting. 3 short weeks to start the year, hopefully that will ease the sadness a bit.
ReplyDeleteJames, I love your blog and read it religiously! I think our contract is set to expire at the end of November; this is what the UFT site says when I Google the question.
ReplyDeleteNope, Feb 13.
ReplyDeleteThe city is expanding programs to desegregate classrooms. It’s relaxing disciplinary policies in high schools...Wow, that is the worst possible combo.
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ReplyDeleteWe extended the contract 2 months and 13 days for Paid Parental Leave. It ends now in February. Thanks for reading Juliet. Please spread the word. UFT-DOE's combined worst fear is an informed rank and file.
ReplyDeleteCuomo was right. Union leaders love the taylor law.
ReplyDeleteClass size violations in my school. All of the staff involved will file grievences. What will the UFT do about it. NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteThats why they are worth exactly that, not worth even a nickle.
ICT class with no 2nd teacher, mix gen ed and sped with no 2nd teacher, 30 different test mods, some need to be in rooms of 8 or less, in aclass of 30, DOE business as usual.
ReplyDeleteIncidental teaching says 1 class out of license, i have 2. Oh well, another violation.
ReplyDeleteYou can grieve up through today. Process for reorganization grievances is expedited however today is the final day to file if you got a program Tiuesday.
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