For me, there was only one part that needs to be dissected closely. After Mulgew talked tough by saying that schools aren't going to open if we don't feel it's safe, he was pressed on what he would do if the mayor opened the schools but the UFT didn't believe they were safe. Mulgrew then totally backed off.
Lehrer: Given teacher concerns, there are many including an earlier caller who do not feel the union is being tough enough. Are you concerned about a strike or a sickout taking place if schools open with the hybrid model?
Mulgrew: We're not going to open if we don't feel it's safe. That is why we are doing as much planning for fully remote learning. Members are concerned after what we went through. We had to get into a streetfight with the mayor to get schools closed. We're preparing for social distancing and complete remote. We learned a lot. We did it on our own. We want to make it better. There will be a lot of remote teaching no matter what happens.
Lehrer: Should I take it as a strike threat if the city doesn't prepare sufficiently?
Mulgrew: No, we still have a month to go. I would say a 60% chance we will be fully remote. We don't have the funding. Big fight over the Heroes Act. The virus is raging out of control nationally. Governor was smart by putting in clear unambiguous plans. Need to meet numbers and have a safety plan. If they don't have the safety plan, we will do everything in our power to make sure that a school doesn't open and put children and teachers at risk.
I listened, again and again, to make sure I understood clearly. It will be school-by-school in deciding what to do. Mulgrew definitely said if a school doesn't have a safety plan, we will try to make sure that a particular school doesn't open. All of the schools will have plans. The problem is the plans will not, or in many cases cannot, be implemented properly. We all know that.
Does anyone have any idea as to how long it could take to close just one school if we follow Mulgrew's advice? "We will do everything in our power to make sure a school doesn't open..." most probably means a lawsuit. How long will that take? There will be numerous buildings where safety plans will be ignored. What will happen? We need to push the UFT/city further, much further, if we are not going to repeat what occurred in March where so many of our colleagues became infected with coronavirus due to UFT inaction coupled with DOE, I'll be kind here, incompetence.
54 comments:
Mulgrew admitted that he plans to fold like a cheap suit. He is not willing to fight for our safety. Certainly not with any sense of urgency. Teachers will have to die first before a single school is closed.
I listened too My take on it is Mulgrew is hoping that the mayor or governor will not open schools. I also think he is hoping the principals' president will take a stand since he doesn't have the balls to. Interesting, Mulgrew talks about the city not planning early enough for September but he isn't either. When asked if we will strike he changes his tune and says school is more than a month away. Can't have it both ways Mulgrew. YOU NEED TO MAKE IT CLEAR NOW-NO WE WILL NOT RETURN TO UNSAFE BUILDINGS AND YES, WE ARE NOT RISKING OUR LIVES. HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST.
Chicago Sun Times talks to Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey:
Sharkey likened an unsafe return to classrooms to running into a burning building, and raised the possibility that teachers could refuse to return to work if they don’t feel safe. The idea of refusing a return to work was broached at a virtual union town hall earlier this week attended by a few thousand members — a fraction of the full rank-and-file membership.
Asked whether teachers are willing to go back out on strike if their demands for the fall aren’t met, Sharkey said, “I think this is going to depend a lot on what things look like and whether we can get clear answers and whether there’s responsiveness.”
“If the answer to all those questions is no, then I think it’s not reasonable to expect for parents of students and for staff ... [not to] worry about whether or not we’re being asked to go into a burning building,” he said. “Because if we are, then that’s where I think you get in a situation where people could refuse to go. We’re a ways from that yet.”
To add if school buildings are safe, check out NY Governor's statement according to ABC7NY news which adds to the proof that NYC public schools are unsafe:
Governor Andrew Cuomo said that if New York City enters Phase 4 on Monday, it would not include any additional indoor activities.
"We are still seeing issues, not just in the bars and restaurants, but all across the country. Inside, interior spaces, air-conditioned spaces, where the virus is tending to spread. So, we will take that precaution in New York City," he said.
The union needs to remain focused and on safety. If all the hot air that is being thrown by the DOE don't line up, well we all know what needs to happen.
Mulgrew needs to follow through with his written word to us, the members. At this moment in time, he does not feel that it is safe to re-open schools. As educators, should prepare for remote or hybrid model, but Mulgrew knows that as of this moment in time it is not safe.
What makes a safe building? The people in it have to follow social distance rules and wear PPE.
Mulgrew projects weakness at a time when strength is required and unambiguous deference to both Carranza and De Blasio.
The NYC DOE hosted a virtual information session about the reopening of schools. Chancellor Carranza on his twitter: "Our commitment to health & safety drives everything that we do, and it will drive us into the new school year. As #COVID19 cases rise across the U.S., we know the 2020-21 school year will be like no other. Today we announced important info on what that will look like."
IF uft is so powerful, we should at least get the fall term 100% remote. Everyone keeps saying how bad covid plus flu will be.
NYC DOE Return to School information: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020
Anonymous 10:03- you are being facetious by sharing this link- right? Because the DOE has no information.
At press conference.
@nycmayor
says he speaks to individual NYC teachers around town, and found no resistance to reopening schools: “I’ve not met a teacher yet who doesn’t want to go back, because they’re devoted to the kids."
"Mulgrew admitted that he plans to fold like a cheap suit. He is not willing to fight for our safety. Certainly not with any sense of urgency. Teachers will have to die first before a single school is closed."
De Blasio just said"I hav not met a teacher who doesn't go back yet, they know kids won't get a good education remotely.". How interesting!
We all want to go in and get infected. The mayor is completely clueless.
BREAKING: Chicago’s tentative school reopening plan:
- Most students attend school in person TWO days a week
- Pre-K and some special ed students in school full time
- High school juniors and seniors online only
I just heard a principal in a session with parents say he Hope's to have hand sanitizer. If they are hoping for something, it is not coming.
Although I didn't actually hear it, I heard that Carranza responded to my question on the DOE return to school parent and student session about ventilation. However, his response was that they are looking at the ventilation systems.
Shouldn't they know what they are doing with ventilation systems by now?
One of my summer students just passed away from Covid. Yes, I'm serious.
Ok, how do we "push further and further?"
Please advise readers on what actions we can take?
Right now email Mulgrew mmulgrew@uft.org, cc whoever you like that it isn't safe for students or staff. Join a group or start a group. UFTer lives and student lives are way to valuable to be risked for a day or two a week of live instruction.
This is how it is with the DOE and the superintendents:
The DOE and the superintendents are data driven so they have to make their numbers.
They got the numbers all wrong when they kept the schools open in March/April:
72 DOE employees died from the Corona virus because of the management.
Now , they want to improve their numbers and they are going to double down with the re-opening of schools.
So, they are planning to re-open too soon.
Then they will have better numbers as far as number of employees who die each week.
Received word this morning that one of the plans in my school is to follow the hybrid model guidelines and have clusters (like myself) give preps to the classroom teachers. Sounds like not only will I be in the classroom but I will be going into multiple classrooms throughout the day and week. Anyone else heard of something similar for clusters?
If UFT offices are closed in September but schools are open, I am personally going to track Mulgrew dive him hell.
de blasio is now having a town hall with minorities saying how bad cops are...
James this is the person who alerted you that Mulgrew was on WNYC, like I say I follow you and like for the most part what you say. I think in this day and age social media is key to a lot of things. With the knowledge and expertise you have I think you should set up a Twitter account and I think your followers would follow you and get other rank and file to join in. If we get enough support on Twitter I think we can't be ignored. Maybe that can make a difference. I spoke to a colleague this morning and they are scared for themselves and their family. It's very scary!
I invite you to visit a REC SITE. Nearly all the safety agents are walking around the building not wearing a mask. The children are not wearing mask (Ages 4 to 12) and neither are the sitters (paras)
I’m a second year teacher. I apologize if this has been addressed already.
I technically just hit a 30 BMI, but have been in good health so far and have not had covid-19 so far thankfully. But, I am also thinking about applying for an accommodation. Will my principal see that I’ve applied?
I requested a clearly over weight female school safety agent to wear a mask today and she said with a smile "I don't have to. I have a medical issue".
So I must get a deadly infection because I'm not obese?
School safety agents is letting parents into the building without a mask. Some are refusing temperature checks (drop off and pick up). Site coordinator wont do anything about this problem because she doesn't want to deal with confrontation with parents and staff members - REC SITE
I ask again, are teachers prepared to simply not show up when schools starts?
I’m a NYC teacher. I’m worried for my school, for all schools. Have they ordered masks? Enough? Hand sanitizer stations? Where are they? Every school needs ventilation upgrades. Are they happening? Can you ask? September 10 is close.
And even if they did all this stuff, it still IS NOT SAFE.
Did you forget buses and trains where we and students can get infected. How will that be made safe?
It is going to be March the sequel in September unless we stick together. I told you this morning a principal told parents he hopes to have hand sanitizer. When is it coming?
Mulgrew is all talk no action...Instead of supporting UFT members to strike...his balls shrink up like the coward and politician he is...only interested in pocketing our union dues in his personal bank account along with other union stakeholders.
How do you prevent high school students from being infected on public transportation before and after they attend in person instruction?
Don't forget Carranza said masks are only going to be encouraged for students, not required.
Whitworth said a family member went out to lunch with a friend and contracted the virus. Soon Whitworth's entire family, including himself, his wife, his kids, and his in-laws, all tested positive. His father-in-law was hospitalized but is back at home now.
"It doesn't take much, and it can spread like wildfire," he added.
@453- they clean the subways every night so at least going to work we are on one of the first trains in cause we leave so early. thats also a problem evry job faces- people take public transit - not just teachers. that arguement isnt gonna fly
Think that regardless of what De Bla-Bla mouth is saying, Mulgrew is waiting for Cuomo is state there will only be remote due to safety concerns. Cuomo stated he will not use the students as guinea pigs. If it's not safe, then it's not safe. But, there does need to be a plan in case politicians loose their minds.
Putting educators and students in the train will actually congest the trains even more.
I am a NYC public school teacher.
{if you live or work in the council member’s district, put that info here}
And I am concerned that the reopening plans are leaving safety aside. I am worried for my school. I am worried for every school.
Have they ordered PPE?
How many masks do we need for September? And how many do they have on hand? Can you find out? How are they making up the shortfall?
Where are the hand sanitizer stations? They should be installing them in every school – now. But we see nothing. Can you ask them what’s going on?
Cuomo wants better ventilation. Every school will need upgrades. But nothing is happening, in almost any building, as far as we can tell. Can you ask them for their plan, instead of vague promises?
Anything you can do to get answers will help. Either they don’t think it is important for us to know, which is just wrong. Or they don’t have enough supplies, and aren’t saying anything.
Thank you,
WE HAVE NO SAY. THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS=ZERO MEANING.
The union needs to file a lawsuit once there is a decision in early August about school re-opening. If the decision is to open the schools, the union needs to file a lawsuit. The union does not have answers to safety concerns.
CHAZ is soooooooo missed, boy do we need him that's why I always say how much we all should appreciate James even more, regardless if we agree to disagree on politics.
Very very good chance schools reopen in February for 2nd semester
No way on this earth all schools ventilations will be looked at or even fixed. If teachers can schedule more 1 on 1 or even 3 on 1 remote teaching to students it can be effective. I mean for christ sakes normally 28-1 anyways.
Agree Chaz is missed. We worked together and as bloggers compared notes regularly.
James deserves a big thank you for keeping us informed and trying to unite us. I'm not a progressive like James but I respect him and his right to advocate for what he believes in.
Get the latest from the UFT
TOWNHALL
TOMORROW
JULY 21
3 15
ALL MEMBERS WERE INFORMED
TAKE THE TIME TO GET THE FACTS
Take the time to hear UFT spin.
Thousands of UFT members will get the latest on the UFT'S position on the issues.
This is what the UFT is trying to do for us.
You decide what is fact and what has been called fact.
James as a good union person advise your followers to learn their union's position directly. Then decide for themselves.
The TOWNHALL WILL PRESENT THE UFT POSITION
The member will decide whether this position is spin or not.
Get the position straight not from a secondary source.
TOWNHALL TOMORROW 3 15
The TOWNHALL WILL PRESENT THE UFT POSITION
The member will decide whether this position is spin or not.
Get the position straight not from a secondary source.
TOWNHALL TOMORROW 3 15
Pursuing Judith Chen's Memo on post-conferences for Informals....
a. Any documentation on this.
b. What year....where in the contract?
Post a Comment