School leaders across New York are beginning to share news about a change to April Break in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The latest guidance from the State Education Department is that school districts are expected to provide “continuity of learning,” which means continued instruction and distribution of meals during what had long been declared as time off on the school calendars.
Meanwhile, Michael Mulgrew held an Executive Board meeting via phone last evening. Unity-Mulgrew supporter Arthur Goldstein (at least he still publishes his minutes) wrote that Mulgrew said this among many other things:
How many UFT members tested positive?—Couldn’t guess at this point. Will say they are expecting a 40-50% positive rate in NYC, but many have had it and don’t know it. Will be an antibody test, and that will be pivotal. We will make sure when schools open that DOE and DOH may not sabotage their own process.
When we were going to court on Monday to close schools Mayor closed them. We may have stayed open another week. DOH failed to follow own process. We will take action before we return to make sure DOH and mayor’s office understand this is not a game. If there is an order, schools close. That’s it. We will take action before schools open.
What if they don't follow the process? UFT was willing to send us into infected buildings. They needed to protect their dues. Here is a repeat of what was in the Daily News that we copied last week:
UFT officials told union representatives Saturday to "advise against" a planned call out on Monday.
“A coordinated sick-out will be interpreted by the DOE as an organized effort in violation of the Taylor Law and the Triborough Law,” union officials wrote its leaders.
“They will perceive it as a labor action and strike. Each participant is subject to a fine of two days’ pay for every missed day and arrest. However, even worse, the UFT will suffer greatly with fines and penalties. Please advise against.”
How many more UFT members would have been infected had members not taken it into their own hands and called out sick en masse on Sunday, March 15 for the 16th? A source told me that the Department of Education was considering clearing out the central offices and sending people into the schools for that Monday because so many people were calling out sick.
It was all of you in my opinion, not Mulgrew, that got the schools closed. Parent outrage helped too of course. Mulgrew's job was publicizing the need for closure. UFT members stepped up when the UFT was more interested in their dues than member health.
There is an exchange in the comments section of NYC Educator between Arthur and New Action's Jonathan Halabi that is revealing:
Jonathan:
"When we were going to court on Monday to close schools "
To be clear, the UFT went to court to close schools where there had been positive tests, not to close all the schools.
That distinction may turn out to be quite important. Makes me wonder if someone in our union knew that teachers were walking into unsafe conditions.
Jonathan
Arthur's reply:
It sounds like everyone knew, the city was doing nothing about it, and UFT tried to force their hand. What did I miss?
Jonathan:
If members were walking into dangerous schools, and the UFT knew, I guess they should have said something to the members. Does that seem wrong to you?
Arthur:
What makes you think they didn't? How do you think leadership became aware? Also, I'd be hard pressed to imagine that any school didn't have cases. Almost no one was tested. ALL the schools should've been closed earlier, and by the time they were closed UFT was lobbying for just that. I work in the most overcrowded school in the city, and it's hard for me to imagine we weren't exposed to it for weeks.
Jonathan:
We might assume that it was everywhere, but apparently there were some schools with confirmed cases where they did not have to assume. I don't think either of our schools had confirmed cases.
Look, an easy one. Teacher at Grace Dodge reported to anyone who would listen that he tested positive. Thursday March 12. DoE refused to close the school. But none of the articles mention what the UFT said. I don't understand how that happens.
Arthur:
There are two in my school, as a matter of fact. I'm sure that's a drop in the bucket.
We can guess the UFT knew there were cases so why didn't they tell the members in no uncertain terms to stay out of unsafe buildings? Because they wanted to protect their damn dues money.
How can the current UFT leadership ever be trusted on anything again? Isn't it time for some accountability, for Mulgrew to go?
95 comments:
We can't trust them. And never could. I could've said that 5 years ago, at least.
So more of the same...We are garbage.
I posted already that in 2006 there was no water at Jamaica HS. Randi Weingarten called Joel Klein to get us out of that building and Weingarten was present the next morning. We were prepared to stay out if there was no water. Yes, the UFT supported us then. Now, dues before our health.
I ask again for a Unity supporter to please tell me where I am wrong. I would really like to be able to say there is a good explanation. I know we have Unity readers. I am listening.
What about the whole thing about still working during Spring Break? The article starts that way but then goes into schools staying open when they should have been closed. Aren't we still working. This is supposed to be our time. What did the Union have to say about the state's directive?
James, stop asking for them to explain. They wont. What are we going to do about it? Im guessing nothing.
Wow, so Mulgrew is discussing how to do remote observations? What is the precedent? Who was taught how to do this? How is this acceptable. Typical uft.
We all need a break! We need to pause and tend to our own families.
NYSUT believes governor saying since he waived 180 days that schools should work through Easter/ Passover break.
Governor saying we should all work through spring break because we waived 180 days. NYC taking this very seriously
There is no agreement on how to do remote observations. We are working on it. I don’t think principals even understand it.
Don’t know about observations via remote. May have to negotiate one.
How many UFT members tested positive?—Couldn’t guess at this point. Will say they are expecting a 40-50% positive rate in NYC, but many have had it and don’t know it. Will be an antibody test, and that will be pivotal.
When we were going to court on Monday to close schools Mayor closed them. We may have stayed open another week. DOH failed to follow own process. We will take action before we return to make sure DOH and mayor’s office understand this is not a game. If there is an order, schools close. That’s it. We will take action before schools open
Haha. So james wants Mulgrew to explain why he let us all gone in? Good luck. He will when he explains all the other uft failures. As you keep paying...
He sent us in because we accept it and keep paying dues. The list below was accepted, right?
1.3% raises over 11 years, retro held back with no interest for 11 years
WE are the only group who had TDA reduced from 8.25% to 7%
no discipline code
fake grades
fake grad rates
fake suspension rates
higher medical co-pays
absentee chapter leaders
abusive admin
abusive students
cell phones in buildings
open market fraud
no travel hardship transfers
getting blamed for students not caring, not being present, being in poverty
screwed observation system
2014 contract extended twice with 0 raise
What about giving kids a break? Some of these kids are working behind the screen doing work all day long. Don't they and the parents helping them deserve a break?
Stop comparing subpar contracts to putting lives at risk. One year after Randi negotiated the horrible 2005 contract, she was there with us at Jamaica HS making sure there was water before we walked into the building. She supported us the prior day when we left early as the building had no running water. Lives come before anything including dues.
Mulgrew needs to answer.
Mulgrew wont answer. It is a pattern. That is why all those previous shortcomings matter. So what is next?
Does anyone know the plan? Will we get anytime off? We did not have a week off only the students did. What happened to our 3 unused snow days and Brooklyn Queens day staff development day can be changed to a regular school day. That's 4 days right there and students only missed 5. We only owe the state 1 day. We should only have to work 1 day during the break.
This should be decided on a district basis as NYC did not use any sick days and still had a planned staff development day. We should not be asked to work more unless we are being given time off at the end. Educators need a break this has taken a toll on all of us emotionally and mentally. The union needs to stand up for it members NOW.
The UFT or NYSUT needs to stop with the memos and sue immediately. It's a change to the working conditions without opening up collective bargaining.
What's next, the Governor can issue an edict that we all must work in July and August to prevent a "Summer Slide"?
Continuity of instruction has already been provided for all of the scheduled days except for 5. The City used the week of the 16th as PD, but there were also a couple of snow days in the bank. The City could very easily reclassify the PD day in June as an instructional day. Not to mention, if/when Regents are cancelled, there will be a boatload of extra instructional days to work with.
Lastly this sudden obsession with "continuity of instruction" and feeding students is bogus. This was the excuse DeBlasio, Carranza and Cuomo (he's the Governor, the buck stops with him) used to keep schools open. What do they think happens EVERY weekend, EVERY school break (Christmas/Hanukkah break, Presidents' Week, Easter/Passover Break), not to mention EVERY July and August? Do they really think the kids fast for 60+ days over the summer? Even Jesus only did 40 days!
SNOW not sick days.
There is little instruction and learning when school is open as normal. 50% attendance rate. HS graduates unable to write a sentence. Give me a break.
Well, no dues from me. Too bad I'm the only one. Or one of a few...
If they won't fight over their own lives, there is no hope for NYC's dumbest, the teachers.
How many lives were lost because de Blasio, Carranza, and Cuomo were indecisive and Mulgrew was worried about keeping union dues?
Of course. My opt out choice in 2018 looks better and better. What a bunch of thieves.
it says 4/2-14th. our break was until 17th??
Give them time to update that.
So back to the original question. What next?
We will be giving back our hard earned money if we dare to take a day for our individual holidays via our earned CAR days. Could this be a ruse for the city to get cash back from working people? They will say take the day but you pay for it.
Keep paying dues so that Mikey Mulgrew can live lavish.
There is a Post opinion piece by Karol Markowicz shedding light on how things are going for families finding themselves caught up in our Remote learning. Seems families want them to slow down, causing family stress keeping kids learning schedules and video conferences while juggling their own work.
I wonder how many families will be happy about losing their break.
So are you opting out? Walking out?
Re spring break. Not fair, but let's list the unfair things going on. People dying. Millions not being paid, business owners facing ruin, a Great Depression looms. It's also not fair that we are enjoying our full salaries, it looks like no layoffs will happen next fall, we keep up benefits, and r pensions Etc.
So, if we do have to work during that week, let's keep it in perspective. We are in the middle of an unprecedented National catastrophe. So many are sacrificing so much and we are being asked to do so little. Think about it before you scream and yell from the rooftops.
721, we wre working. Remote learning is working.
Uft has spoken. No spring break.
Then why did we not get 4% per year raises when there was a 6 billion dollar surplus?
So what are we doing about getting sent in and traveling on buses and trains for those 3 days?
Why is it unfair for us to enjoy our full salaries? Other people are too. Anyone who worked in retail or the restaurant business will tell you it's not a steady income. It's contingent on the economy. As for me, I think it's unfair for the parents to have to lose spring break along with the good students who are being overworked. They already lost prom, banquet and graduation. Why make it worse?
7:21pm
What about our health? Need for a break? Yes, we are getting paid. BUT WE ARE WORKING FOR IT.
WE have every right to be expected to be paid more or given time off for this. ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE BEING PAID OT TO GO TO WORK ON THERE TIME OFF SO SHOULD WE. Obviously, You are involved in our corrupt, useless current leadership.
I just read we are only getting off for Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.
We have to work another unscheduled week! We need time off. WE ARE WORKING FROM HOME. THIS IS NOT A VACATION. YES, people are dying WE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS TOO. I KNOW, I KNOW, WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR OUR JOBS.. JUST LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THANKFUL TO BE FORCED TO GO TO WORK IN UNSAFE BUILDINGS AND INCREASE THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE?
WE HAVE RIGHTS, FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, FAMILIES ETC. WE ARE DEALING WITH LOSS OF LIFE AND FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FIGHTING THIS DISEASE. THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU POST.
It's official https://www.uft.org/news/videos/president-mulgrews-video-message-on-spring-break
7:21pm
What about our health? Our need for a break? YES, people are dying WE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS TOO. Two teachers in my school lost their mothers today.
I KNOW, I KNOW, WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR OUR JOBS.. JUST LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THANKFUL TO BE THANKFUL TO GO TO WORK IN UNSAFE BUILDINGS AND INCREASE THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE?
WE HAVE RIGHTS, FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, FAMILIES ETC. WE ARE DEALING WITH LOSS OF LIFE AND FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FIGHTING THIS DISEASE. THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU POST.
WE have every right to be expected to be paid more or given time off for this. ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE BEING PAID OT TO GO TO WORK ON THERE TIME OFF SO SHOULD WE. Obviously, You are involved in our corrupt, useless current leadership.
I just read we are only getting off for Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.
We have to work another unscheduled week! We need time off. WE ARE WORKING FROM HOME. THIS IS NOT A VACATION.
So, again, the better than nothing attitude. We lose the week but we should be happy because we didnt get fired. Pretty low standard. No wonder we accept 1% raises.
7:21.
Nobody is saying that we shouldn’t keep it in perspective. However how does “continuity of learning” help any part of this national catastrophe get better. One has nothing to do with the other. If we still get our contractually agreed upon break it won’t change anything positive or negative about the coronavirus.
this is just beginning. in times of turmoil, you have great opportunities. expect uft to give back more than you can imagine.
"Never let a crisis go to waste."
--Rahm Emmanuel
False equivalency. If we and our students get our spring break, how does that make the national emergency worse?
7:21
Fuck you, just fuck you.
We are people too, everyone needs a break,It is not right. Fuck you.
@721
so misfortune anywhere should mean misfortune everywhere?
people are dying? well thats never happened before.
great power-grab opportunities here folks.
granny will still be alive but we destroyed the economy and far more deaths will result from that.
ironically, many people wanted this. but now they have to live with it.
We keep giving, they will keep taking. How is us working over spring break helping anything?
Utilize some of your free time to take naps and do activities that relax you. This is a national and worldwide state of emergency. There are people out there in the front lines that are afraid to go to their own homes afraid to possibly pass on the virus to their own families. Everyone needs a break, but unfortunately the virus keeps penetrating into our peaceful lives. Things change during times of crisis. This is a pandemic.
Haha. The students dont do the work during regular school days. You think they are going to work during spring break? It is the principle of the thing. Another give up.
I will just post 1 more assignment for the week. They dont do it anyway.
Typical uft rollover.
Your president left a video msg about Easter break for you guys.
7:21, nice right out of the Unity playbook. I'm nod drinking from the Coolaid.
Bottom line. If the uft didnt give in at every turn, if we had a decent contract, this wouldn't bother me. We lose every single time.
Serious question. Are we gonna lose the retro now? Pay reduction next school year? Would you put it past Mulgrew?
ALL CAPS! No surer indicator of moronia dont you agree?
EVERYONE HAS RIGHTS.
WE ALL HAVE TO SACRIFICE
@9:59...the ALL CAPS policia. INJUSTICE BREEDS INJUSTICE
WAITINGFORSUPPORT IS PROFOUND AND VIRTUOUS
Agree w/ 9:03 PM, this is just the first of many Greater Depression UFT sellouts.
Next up is the October back payment and then after that the May 2021 increase.
I don't think they'll be quick enough to get this May's increase, but what the hell, I didn't foresee spring recess getting taken either considering WE'VE BEEN FUCKING WORKING FOR THE DURATION.
Could even get a pay reduction at some point, as 9:54 PM notes.
The sellouts don't stop until enough people hit them where it hurts - in the pocketbook where they put our dues money.
Spring Break for NYC schools - gone. Cuomo did this. UFT caved. Remote learning has been tough. We need time to reflect, adjust, recover. Thanks for nothing #nyccovid #nycpublicschools
@UFT
Michael Sill
@michaelfsill
Caved? In what way was this a negotiation? Governor has the authority during an emergency to do this with or without us. No doubt people need a break. Yet these are extraordinary times.
9:10 PM · Mar 31, 2020·Twitter Web App
Wrong:
"For districts to continue instruction during previously negotiated breaks on school calendars, teacher unions must agree to the change, perhaps in exchange for future compensation or time off."
Coronavirus: Schools cancel spring recess as state requires remote learning continue
lohud.com
Uft sent us to death 2 weeks ago, now we are lucky to have a job so we should give up the break. Happily not paying dues.
So we are gonna get paid back later?
Ha. Yeah, right. We are suckers, as always. From Mike Sill...1. It’s the right thing to do to stop the spread. 2. When the massive, debilitating, inevitable budget cuts come, who will we be? Those that refused to serve? Or those who answered the call? We’ll keep the receipts.
Didnt we just give them a 600 million dollar loan for 11 years interest free? Didnt we just accept 11 years of 1.3% raises? Where is the payback for that?
We were gonna be home anyway. Just post something on Google classroom. The problem is the last 20 years.
Like many people here, I wish things were different. I was really looking forward to the break. I am so exhausted and feel like I haven’t slept in two weeks. But I understand why we are doing this. It is for the same reason that my colleagues and I stayed hours after school on 9/11 waiting for parents to be able to make it to the school to pick up their kids. We’re the group of public employees with the greatest connection to our communities. We care about our communities. We teach our students, then their younger brothers and sisters, and later their own kids. The message from Michael sounds like we’ll be able to do things differently for that week, which will hopefully allow us a greater ability to focus on our families. I think we’ll look back on this and be proud of our efforts to help our communities during this crisis.
11:06, How did you feel about the UFT sending us into toxic buildings? Was that for the community too?
The UFT did not send anyone into schools. We work for the DOE.
The UFT could have told us to stay out of toxic buildings. We pay good money for them to protect our safety and they did not.
They would let us die rather than risk their precious dues. 11:27 probably has a UFT job.
I listen to Mulgrew's message. He kept repeating the governor has asked.
We were not asked we were told. There is a huge difference.
We are being TOLD TO work UNSCHEDULED TIME. That should be an overtime rate just as all essential workers are getting. They are getting immediate compensation.
The problem is all we do is give back over and over again. When the market is high we still got less than inflation wages. Union agrees to it.
We worked with no A/C in temp over 100 degrees-union does nothing
Snowstorms-Our own kids are off. NYC teachers have to go to work
WE were told we had to go into buildings when we could have worked from home. The mayor and chancellor and governor were all wrong. WEHRE WAS OUR PROTECTION?? MULGREW AND CREW DID NOTHING THEN AND NOTHING NOW.
All we do is give back give back give back.
Why the entire week? We are ALWAYS doing more than the districts right outside NYC.
Mulgrew could have stood up for OUR NEEDS OR AT LEAST ENSURED PROPER COMPENSATION. Instead nothing. I signed up for the town hall tomorrow. I will listen and need to hear that we are definitely getting the time back or getting paid extra now. I don't want to hear someday or 2031. I need to hear now and not more of Mulgrew doing what the mayor, chancellor, governor want. I need to hear from Mulgrew that he is finally going to doing what is BEST FOR HIS
MEMBERS. The people who fork over $1600 a year.
UFT told people they could stay home. They got the DOE to agree not to use these absences against anyone.
11:27 aka 7:21 is UFT all the way. Obviously, 11:27 is slow and even at this time wants to play games with our words.
Let me help you. The point that is being clearly made is that we pay the UFT to PROTECT US. THE UFT FAILED. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO STAY OUT OF THE BUILDINGS. Our union did nothing for our safety. ONLY this blogger warned us to stay out. We pay dues for support and protection.
Let me help you even more by providing you with the definition
la·bor un·ion
an organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.
THE UFT WAS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US. THEY FAILED.
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FURTHER OUR RIGHTS AND INTERESTS. WE ARE TIRED, WE ARE STRESSED WE NEED TIME OFF THAT WAS CONTRACTUALLY ALLOWED US. WHERE IS OUR PROTECTION FOR OUR RIGHTS AND INTERESTS??? ANOTHER MIKE MULGREW FAILURE. WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP NOW!
I still haven’t heard a rationale as to how us having a spring break hurts the coronavirus efforts. Food can still be given out, child care can still be provided, without online learning happening. This pandemic can last until July. When it does will we work for free then also? When does it stop? At some point you have to fight.
11:39, We pay the union to protect us. If a building isn't safe, the union's job is to tell us not to go in. End of story. The union is not supposed to tell us that we won't get a file letter but we will lose sick bank days if we don't enter toxic buildings. For the UFT, it is all about the dues that they don't deserve.
Governor issues executive order. Who is to say that the executive order is constitutional? A real union challenges this in court. Even if we lose, the rest of the unions gain respect for us and maybe as one of the largest union we can lead a strong renaissance in unionism throughout city. When 1/3 become unemployed which side do you think will look better to those people: unions or the billionaire elite?
Mulgrew is really garbage.
Crooks and liars cannot explain anything.
NYPD School Safety
@NYPDSchools
·
10h
SSD lost our beloved Agent Sabrina Jefferson due to complications of COVID-19. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to her family & colleagues.
In Valor There is Hope.-Tacitus
Mulgrew is part of the academic fraud and corruption if the DOE.
Same rationale would have us work weekends (OK, just Saturdays) and the summer (OK, just 4 days a week). That'll be coming.
I certainly do try.
@11:06: This crowd is a different breed. If it makes them uncomfortable, they attack. Thank you for your service. You and your colleagues sound like you can look beyond your own shadows. Here's praying that all essential workers including our medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, store employees and true educators stay strong. This is a true true telling time.
WORKING SPRING BREAK????
ARE WE NOW SLAVE LABOR?
OR DO WE GET PAID PER SESSION?
@11:29: I pay "good tax money" for children to receive a real education but you don't provide it. What's good for the goose...you know the rest. Damn... you're home stop whining about it. THANK GOD FOR THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO DON'T COMPLAIN.
IT IS TIME TO FIGHT BACK!
WE PAID WITH OUR BLOOD AND TREASURE FOR THE 2007 REAL ESTATE/WALL STREET FIASCO.
LET WALL STREET PAY FOR THE COVID 19 FIASCO!
@11:30pm: maybe 11:27 is just someone who believes in looking out for others. Maybe.
NO CAPS. THE CAPS POLICIA IS ON THIS BLOG.
Are all the other teachers in NYS losing their spring break? I don’t know, but I do know Cuomo isn’t our king or lord and master. If he pulls spring break someone will to pay for it and it shouldn’t be teachers. Where’s the UFT on this? Why didn’t Mulgrew threaten him with a law suit? (The UFT would win.) You already know, it would make Mulgrew and the UFT look bad. Sorry guys, there’s a pandemic, you must sacrifice, everyone says so, (especially those not making any sacrifices). Forget that nonsense - teachers need to start thinking for themselves.
The outrage by so many over the UFT sending you into a dangerous building and now making you work from home is stunning. I've been saying for a long time how educators should stand up to the DOE/UFT for "making you" pass students who don't do anything in school. Instead of placing your anger at the feet of DOE/UFT, ya'll preferred to name call your students and their parents. During the name calling fest there was silence from all of you. No one said, hey that's not right. Many of you go into your school each day with a fake azz grin high fiving Tyriek and Maria--all the while having such nasty opinions about them. You think the students who walk the hall or are on their phone while you're Fake teaching are your enemy? Did they fail you? Did they make you forgo your professional skills? No. It was surprise surprise the DOE/UFT. They sold out the students and just showed you that they think of you just as you think of the students: Worthless. Truth hurts! Now let the nasty comments begin. Remember: i don't care. Stay safe.
Waitingforsupport, You are generalizing and making overreaching assumptions. There are many teachers that fight the good fight for their students and themselves. Teachers are correct to be outraged. Lone wolves fighting the system don't fare well, just look at all the folks in the ATR pool. The UFT is paid to represent all of us, but don't. And as for name calling and nastiness - I seem to remember quite a bit of it coming from you, especially on Chaz's blog. Please try refrain from attacking me. Thank you.
Bronx ATR
It’s the whole state who is forfeiting spring break. Each district has different dates.
To the small minority of doe teachers who have mocked atrs for no reason, who is laughing now?
Waiting for Support,
I agree that some are bitter unhappy people. Probably their are some of those types in every profession.
There are 2 sides to the Spring Break. One, kids/families might appreciate the structure. After 9/11 kids went back to school the same week, we were told, because getting back into a routine was a good way to start to overcome the trauma. It made sense.
Teachers do need a break. It is a wonderful profession, but very draining.
If they want children to have structure the UFT could put up enrichment activities for children to turn in for extra credit.
The UFT is not being transparent- which I call "lying". The president treats us like children-lies and lies hoping things will turn around. Union leadership is supposed to be better than that.
I said that folks remain silent when the name calling of students occur on this blog. Where is the outrage when that happens? There are great educators and there are also not so great educator. Yes lone wolves get picked off but a pack of wolves can be protection. The DOE/UFT seems to have deemed teachers lone wolves because they have attacked each and every one of you. ATRS don't look so bad now, huh? Finally,If I name called on Chaz's blog, you better believe it was in RESPONSE to some nastiness tossed at students or myself. Recognize this: I don't start fights but I know how to handle people if they come at me or generalize about the students. You have been attacked by the DOE/UFT...Im just a lone wolf on a blog. Stay safe.#This too shall pass.
Ps @9:07am: "Please refrain from attacking me". Show me where I attaked YOU. Quote me. I said some of you.
@10:38 I agree with your statement. I am a retired educator and am not anti teacher or anti anything except INJUSTICE. Unfortunately your employer (DOE) does what it does best--disrespects its students/educators. The UFT will do what it does best too--turn its back on its members. Let me try and simplify my view--which has never changed:
Be respectful to EVERYONE. Do your job i.e. Earn your money honestly.Speak up for yourself and others. Work together as a team. What's wrong with having morals? Integrity? Can I lay into someone's behind? Yep. Obviously I am not perfect. You would want me in your corner everytime because I speak up and out when I see people being belittled or bullied. We have a challenging time coming up. We are battling for the life of ourselves and our families. The DOE/UFT haven't done anything new: THEY DON'T CARE. We knew this for years. Either you remain in the union, vote en masse to rid the current leadership or walk away...just don't be a freaking bystander.
I am retired too. I worked for the DOE, but it was too stressful for me, so I found another civil service job. I am now looking forward to the next chapter, although I miss some of the camaraderie. Maybe that's why I read the blogs!
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