The Intercept is reporting that the UFT Executive Board and Delegate Assembly will vote on a strike authorization resolution next week. Knowing how those bodies are dominated by Michael Mulgrew's Unity Caucus, I expect a huge yes vote. Unity Caucus obligations require that caucus members vote as the caucus dictates. If they vote against the leadership, they will lose their union perks and end up in the James Eterno file of useless to Unity. As for the membership at large, Mulgrew's position is, who cares what they think?
Consider now the reputation of the UFT compared to the Council of Supervisors and Administrators. This is from the same Intercept piece:
The principal’s union, generally considered to be more confrontational than the UFT, urged earlier in August for an all-remote reopening due to concerns about ventilation and preparation.
When the UFT is seen in the press as less confrontational than the CSA, it is difficult for me to comment on how the state of this once proud union has deteriorated to this rather strange place.
On the issue of the Memorandum of Agreement on blended learning, Jeff Kaufman posted it here along with the FAQ yesterday. I have questions and concerns as some of it is indecipherable. Right now, I am waiting for the UFT explanation. It should be rather amazing spin. The agreement was released on Wednesday; we are still waiting on Friday evening for the UFT's take for the members.
Personally, I think the blended learning agreement gives new meaning to the term phony war. The UFT is preparing for a safety strike while at the same time they are making an agreement on how to do the blended learning that they say is too unsafe to start.
It must be all part of some grand strategy we aren't smart enough to comprehend which is why the rank and file won't be voting on any of it anyway.
Please, no comments here on withholding union dues. The opt out period ended and you need to call out the UFT leaders, not stop paying dues which you can't do until next June. We need a real union now more than ever. If only you knew how the collective body is really in charge, not Mulgrew.
UPDATE- Just to be clear:
UNION=YES
UFT=YES
REAL DEMOCRACY=YES
JOB ACTION IF NEEDED TO KEEP US SAFE=YES
MICHAEL MULGREW=NO
UNITY CAUCUS=NO
52 comments:
You love to add to not comment on dues, then say it is too late, when people said for months to tell people to stop paying, when you said keep paying. Well, who is right? Look at this garbage. This very thread, you repeatedly say how bad the uft is. Look at JPs letter, which he said the uft didnt even respond to. Look at all the repeated complaints, coming from everybody, including you. Come on, james, we expect more from you.
LOL.
james until June-the uft sucks
James in june-dont opt out
james in july-the uft sucks but nobody say anything about opting out because its too late
everybody-opt out
james-wait until june, no point now
june--time to opt out
james-dont-we need a strong union
everybody else-but we've been paying and dont have strong union
Great idea, no dues talk. So now what?
We are so in charge that mulgrew changed the contract multiple times, with no notice. Right?
And they are voting without us on monday and tuesday, right?
And they havent even gone to court, right?
Let's do it legally and all members with a child under 18 sign up for FFCRA (James previous post). It worked in NJ and let's try it here in NYC. Otherwise, we have to take the ILLEGAL approach and trust our fearless leaders to strike!!!
James, given NJEA's approach to the same situation, do you think it is the correct move for the UFT to strike (refuse to work) instead of telling rank and file to report to work remotely?
1. "The principal’s union, generally considered to be more confrontational than the UFT"— that may be a good thing (for this, not overall), it makes our actions to fight for safety stand out; shows the importance of it. The meek mouse is roaring.
2. I think agreeing to their stupid plan is showing that the UFT is willing to work, but unfortunately, the DOE has not made it safe to have this happen.
Yes, I’m giving the UFT credit for thinking this through, but I do think this tactic could be useful in court (actual and public opinion).
Had UFT meeting today, mostly about why we need to strike. Regarding blended learning, I heard the words, “It was decided” multiple times in answer to questions, whether questions concerned scheduling, who teaches students in the classrooms vs remotely, etc. WHO decided? WHO was consulted? Any current classroom teachers?
Now what?
Well, if they vote yes to the strike each educator will either strike or cross the picket line.
If they vote no to the strike each educator will either, quit, go in or decide to use the DOEs own Covid guidelines and stay home when "sick".
The next time you vote for leadership you vote Mulgrew out. Each educator has a means to change the trajectory of the organization called the UFT. However lashing out,complaining and blaming James is not the answer to "now what".
What now? Mulgrew and the exec board will decide for you on Monday.
Mulgrew said at the last town hall that he was working on getting remote for caregivers. What happened?
There is definitely some bigger plan here than I can possibly comprehend. I can't quite put the pieces together, but I'm trying.
Mulgrew agrees to this convoluted, blended learning plan that is not only close to impossible to execute, and requires almost double the number of teachers we have now. This "plan" makes almost every district go batshit crazy and superintendents, principals, and assorted public figures write letters to Deblasio and Carranza for a delay. This in the same week that incompetents are flailing around toilet paper in the air to test for airflow, and Deblasio gives the principals 4 days to come up with outdoor learning plans with mystery money.
Layoffs are looming, but Deblasio wants to hire CUNY students to help with the blended learning kids on their remote days. They still need cleaners and nurses. There are no bus contracts, as per an article published in Chalkbeat tonight. And the kicker: this mystery date of September 21st that Mulgrew threw out at his presser. I have been hearing that date for almost 2 months as the start date.
So here's what I think happens: the executive board and DA both authorize a strike vote. The City Council, empowered by this vote, meets on Thursday the 3rd and asks for a delay. Much hooplah and grandstanding ensue. Closed door meetings with Mulgrew, Deblasio, and Carranza take place. Friday night the 4th (hey, didn't we all say that we'd find out late before Labor Day weekend?) they announce a delay. Carranza, who has eluded to teachers being worn down by a summer of stress, says we are being given as part of the 7 days from Spring Break we are owed, all of Labor Day week off. Teachers report on the 14th, for a week of PD and planning. The kids start on the 21st. Now- we have no calendar, because we will be losing instructional days because of the late start. We are given the other 3 days owed to us as CAR days, for people who need it for Yom Kippur (I've already heard rumors that it is an instructional day), to take throughout the year because we are losing other days. I want to believe we start remotely for the first marking period, because we seem to be close to getting rapid testing, and we could use this before transitioning back to the buildings in some form some time in November.
I'm not sure where Cuomo fits in, if at all- but this is all political theater. The outcome is probably predetermined.
UFT and CSA should be planning together.
I always found something suspicious about the multiple comments posted here urging people to withhold dues that are in all likelihood just the same one or two people posting over and over (take a look at the style and the timestamps that are always one or two or three minutes apart), but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I just assumed that it was someone who was understandably disappointed in Unity's unwillingness to engage in confrontation, but who just didn't understand that withholding dues to engage more militancy was just shooting oneself in the foot.
But now that the UFT is actually preparing for a strike (unthinkable, but about time!)...notice that the same one or two people who post multiple anti-dues messages in the same style and minutes apart are now posting about how they won't support a strike and are unwilling to stand up for themselves and their fellow teachers if he has to lose two days pay for one day on strike.
So the person complaining for years that the union isn't militant enough now says that militancy is too scary? Something doesn't add up.
The ONLY way stopping dues would work is if it guaranteed Mulgrew would then listen to us. It doesn’t and will probably not ever guarantee that. All it guarantees is that it will weaken the union. The better idea is to keep paying so that you can vote him out. If we all opt out there will be no one left to vote him out, or to take his place. In fact, think about it, if we all opt out then there is no more union. Remember he is not the union. He is only the decision making representative as unfortunate as that is. Don’t cut your nose to spite your face.
The hell with the union. Their usless. My dues the last 18 years would have done much better in a mutual fund then in their pockets. Now they want us to strike. Now Im suppose to lose more money because mulgrew grows some balls. As an atr what the hell has this union done for me. I been abused for 8 years as an atr. I been looked down upon by some peers, had principles put me in shitty assignments, been labeled by people who dont know me as a shitty worker because im an atr. I dont give a shit if anyone calls me a scab if I decide to go in to work.Because despite all the abuse this atr has received I care about these students. All of them. You want a strong union. Then first you elect a strong leader. That leader tells their chapter leaders not to be in the back pocket of their principals. And I bet you most people dont want to strike either. The doe will fail this year because of the morons they have there.
I am disappointed, the uft is worthless. Anyway, if delayed till September 14 or 21, we still have the same problem and danger.
If we want to be taken seriously in a strike situation, it would pay to be seen as a little more confrontational than the CSA that has never done anything militant in its existence.
We are not Chicago, not LA.
We are NYC, an inherently weak union, as this excerpt from the Intercept piece makes clear:
" Teachers in Chicago and Los Angeles spent years building up for their successful strikes, both of which featured strike authorization votes of the entire membership. While the planned votes of the UFT Executive Board and the Delegate Assembly are necessary steps forward for the strike, the UFT is also significantly less militant than the Los Angeles and Chicago teachers unions. The moderate-to-conservative Unity Caucus, which was recently reelected with over 80 percent of the vote, has controlled the UFT since its inception in 1960. And unlike the Chicago and Los Angeles teachers unions, which pioneered the so-called Bargaining for the Common Good strategy to embed a union’s contractual demands as part of a broader fight for social and economic justice, the UFT has tended to focus strictly on wages and benefits. "
A bread and butter union that has now settled for bread without butter.
Why would Teachers, perhaps more than other professionals, choose to Live On BREAD Alone?
The members of CSA are not willing to.
But the UFT members are?
Mr President,
We are amazed but not amused
By all the things you say that you'll do
Though much concerned but not involved
With decisions that are made by you
But we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Tellin' how you are gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
You haven't done nothin'
Ow
And the Jackson 5 sing
Doo doo wop - hey hey hey
We Won't Be Fooled Again
Doo doo wop - whoa whoa whoa
Seriously, there is some real irony in the union telling ATRs that they MUST stand with members and strike. Who could blame ATRs if they showed up to schools and stopped on the picket line to moon their fellow "members" and then continue into school.
9:11 I'm not sure if it hits the nail on the head but it certainly makes a whole lot of sense. One thing is for sure there will be a strike that has been decided by Leadership, that explains the full court press by the DR's with these "town halls" that are 100% propaganda like everything else. It's the same propaganda I remember from 2005 when Randi went around doing events at hotel ballrooms where she "listened" and nothing changed. The Unity elite told us what was good for us then, a terrible contract not in our best interest, and now they're telling us a strike is what's best for us when we have everything to lose and nothing to gain from it. In this case the UFT is doing its job not as our Union but as an arm of the Democrat Party. Their MO is keep everything closed and worsen the economic depression until the election. Just like DeBlasio keeping the restaurants closed for no reason.
Also 9:41 is right to be suspicious, there are "war rooms" full of people who post on message boards, especially of newspapers (especially old fashioned "letters to the editor"), on both sides of the political spectrum on any hot button topic you can think of (guns, abortion, taxes, etc.). Notice the obsession with dues, they want to "starve the beast" because most Unions (including the AFT and NEA) support Democrats. By the way, the UFT/Unity Caucus does the same thing, it has operatives that in "usual times" will post things like pro-Teachers Choice messages but right now are posting panic porn all over the place to convince everyone that it's unsafe to leave your house let alone go to school. It's the same BS "ventilation", "supplies", etc. no matter what city or state it is. It is all coordinated from the top. Much of what you see online and in "letters to the editor" regardless of the topic or viewpoint is very coordinated.
As for me I'm at a breaking point and will probably end up sending my notice for leaving the Union on Wednesday morning once these votes go through. I don't care about the dues, I know I'll be paying through June. In fact I would even consider paying beyond that rather than "freeload" in terms of having a Contract. At least I'll have the freedom to go to work. A Friday September 4th decision by either the City or Union is too late to be able to send certified mail to the Union to indicate you're no longer a member, and if you're in as of a strike date the Union can fine you just as bad as the City can dock you 2-for-1 days.
1116,
I’m an. Atr and I’ll strike in a heartbeat. We need solidarity. Scans need to be weeded out.
Lol 1136 is right.
Yes, not worth the $1600 dues.
Or getting fine $1k daily if not afraid of getting vovid.
Enjoy paying triple dues on October 15.
Personally, I sm afraid of covid so ill be calling in sick everyday.
But yeah, how dare the union fuck us for decades then make decisions then demand we do as they say with zero input. I see random people not showing up, causing some chaos...
Any negotation should include payment gor the 7 days from last spring break. Money or sick days, need payment. Now, not 12 years from now.
Had my UFT meeting. Obviously striking was the topic but still left with one unanswered question. The UFT reps seemed to dance around it by saying that "our lawyers don't believe" this or that could happen. For every lawyer who thinks something can't happen, there is a lawyer on the other side who says it can. They also say "that's never happened..." Everything never happens until it happens but that doesn't mean it's impossible.
The district rep stated the mayor "will not fire 80,000 teachers." My argument has been that the mayor does not have to fire 80,000 teachers but without a contract could conceivably remove whatever teacher he wanted regardless of tenure, LIFO or license if the contract is voided.
There seems to be no disagreement that an illegal strike will void the contract which is where the loss of medical discussion has come from. There is also no disagreement that layoffs are looming with the city in financial crisis for not just now but the next few years possibly. Money is not coming in.
So now for my question that no one seems to be able to answer or want to answer:
If we strike and the contract is technically voided, could (in theory) the mayor instruct the principals to get beneath a certain budget or for those schools with a deficit reach their budget by terminating (not excessing) whatever personnel they deem fit regardless of tenure, LIFO, or license?
I'm not saying it's happening or probable, I am asking is this possible based on the law and an illegal strike?
Saying "it's never happened" is not an answer or saying that he "won't do that." If that's your response then you either don't have an answer or you are just skewing your opinion towards striking.
I am not asking for what the mayor will do I am asking what the mayor could do.
1:40AM
The union cannot fine you for crossing on an illegal strike. They can't legally do anything to you.
Now, you may have a bull's eye on your back from your fellow teachers so it has been suggested to keep a low profile
Hopefully there are more like me who will never judge someone for making the best decision for themselves and their family. Whatever you choose you have my support.
Teacher terminations, in fact any discipline for tenured pedagogues, falls under Sections 3020a and 3012d of state education law. That would not change even if our contract was totally voided. There still would have to be a hearing with a neutral arbitrator. The city could not afford thousands of hearings.
Layoffs are covered by state law too.
From CSA,
August 28, 2020
Dear Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza,
From the moment the Department of Education first began discussions on blended
learning, CSA has repeatedly raised serious concerns about the staffing shortages
that will arise with the implementation of the DOE’s hybrid models as constructed.
I’ve personally shared those concerns with both of you directly. Yet on Wednesday
night, DOE distributed instructional guidance that alarms school leaders throughout
the city. Compelling school leaders to open their buildings on September 10th while
adhering to this new guidance is indefensible.
It’s been clear since July that if a class must be split into cohorts to meet social
distancing requirements, some students will learn remotely while others
simultaneously learn in person. All summer long, school leaders, teachers, students
and parents alike have all been asking the same obvious question: who will teach
students learning remotely?
We were hopeful that the DOE would find some way to solve this inherent problem
without creating a larger one. We expected that concerns about sufficient staffing
would be adequately addressed when the Chancellor’s team finally released the
essential instructional guidance that NYC educators have been demanding for
months.
Regrettably, the DOE has now created a potential staffing crisis with just two weeks
to go before the first day of school. We applaud your administration for its focus on
science throughout this pandemic. We ask that you also focus on the math. As school
leaders process this new guidance, distributed on the very day they were required to
share schedules with families, many will be forced to abandon their carefully
considered plans and communicate to their superintendents that their school simply
doesn’t have enough staff to begin the year. They must now communicate to families
that far too many students will not be taught remotely by their in-person teachers.
What answer and support will they receive from the DOE? What would you suggest
they say to the understandably anxious families they speak with daily? It is ultimately
our school leaders who must look parents in the eyes and assure them that their
school building is ready to reopen. How can they pledge to deliver a quality education,
worth the risks of attending school during a pandemic, when they’re not even sure
they have enough teachers?
School leaders will continue to work tirelessly to reimagine the school year and keep
their communities safe, and our union will continue to call for a delay to in-person
learning so that they and their staff have adequate time to prepare for an
unimaginable, unprecedented school year, made exponentially more challenging
with this instructional guidance. The current shortage of teachers only makes our
previous message more urgent: New York City schools are simply not ready to
reopen for in-person instruction on September 10th.
Sincerely,
Mark F. Cannizzaro
President
Huh, I thought there was a strike?
Mulgrew on blended learning: "Under the pressure of the pandemic, we have created a strategy to combine remote and in-person learning, a flexible system where a team of educators will work with a given group of students." 1/2
1
@UFT
"But even with this approach, many schools will still face a staffing shortage, which the system will have to address
It is pretty rich the union now calls for us to be a union after they abandoned us for 2 decades.
The "You are lucky to have a job" thing doesn't work as well now.
Yes 1116, the uft telling me they agree with me but cant help me, ignoring their own contract, meaning i can go fuck myself...But listen now? Nah. I"ll do what's best for me.
Hi, James. Do you the reason why we're not being directed to report remotely for school on 9/8? I'm asking in terms of striking, why are we being told not to work at all, and go on picket lines? I don't know what I'm missing, can you explain it? I appreciate your blog and knowledge of unions.
NBA players walk off the job in response to an "every day anonymous" person who is shot 7 times by the police. Many of them commented they are tired and afraid because this has been too frequent of an occurrence with African Americans and their interactions with police.
On the other hand, NYC teachers have been abused for years by the DOE. They have give-back laden contracts negotiated by a weak union, They are given incredibly arbitrary and unfair observations by the Danielson rubric. They are evaluated on test scores of students they don't teach. Young teachers are constantly asked to jump through hoops to receive tenure, often having it delayed for years...Now they are being asked to enter buildings during the middle of a pandemic which may be life threatening to them or their family members... and yet their response of a possible strike is nothing but fear and the desire to not participate... How much abuse do teachers have to take before they are collectively willing to do something???
My "gut says" there probably wont be a strike. The union knows so many members distrust it that there could be a tidal wave of teachers crossing the picket line. However, Diblasio has to know that he is "on an island facing a tsunami." NO ONE in this city thinks it's a good idea to open the schools for student attendance on September 10th. More and more parents are witnessing the "toilet paper on a stick" and "student schedules without teachers" methods of preparation as well as outbreaks in other districts around the country that opened for in-person instruction and are opting to have their kids go remote only.
I just pray we can make it through the next 10 months without too many people getting sick or killed and return to a "normal" school year in 2021-22.
10:52 AM, What was the point of comparing apples and oranges to make your point? There are many teachers that don't agree with striking, because they aren't wary of being back in the school buildings, on trains, in stores, in theaters, and in restaurants. Some teachers are though, and I'm not sure if they can be blamed. Given that, our union could have pushed the federal families first coronavirus response act paid leave for those who are eligible and there could have been a better plan for giving parents the opportunity to have their children out of the home and socializing with their peers (rec center style).
I agree with you on this though "On the other hand, NYC teachers have been abused for years by the DOE. They have give-back laden contracts negotiated by a weak union, They are given incredibly arbitrary and unfair observations by the Danielson rubric. They are evaluated on test scores of students they don't teach.
The union knows so many members distrust it that there could be a tidal wave of teachers crossing the picket line."
Whoever crosses a picket line should be shunned by their colleagues for the rest of their careers Outside of child molesters(who actually might be mentally ill and more deserving of sympathy) there is nothing more loathsome than a scab
Nah. Opt out people gave damn good reason. People who don't strike for a pathetic union, good reasons, many good reasons. Listening to mulgrew got us in this mess.
Prehistoric predagogue,
Weren't you the one telling other teachers to stop whining and go back to work? And now you're talking about picket lines?
I opted out of the union. For all intents and purposes, I am no longer a UFT member. I don't represent the UFT and they don't represent me. Even at my discontinuance hearing, I represented myself, and I've never signed up for UFT benefits from the Welfare Fund either.
The UFT was useless when I needed support, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a parasitic entity that is in bed with the DOE while pretending to be on the side of teachers.
As for a strike, it would be completely nonsensical and unstrategic, playing into the hands of the enemies of this profession. The smart thing is letting deBlasio and Carranza implode. When that happens, we'll all be remote in no time.
But, if there is a strike, I'm going to work, and that's that. Period.
Hey Prehistoric Pedagoue.... a child molester is worse than a "scab" ... really??? Did you really write this???? I mean, think about what you just wrote: A person who wants to have sex with a child, use a child for sex, rape a child??? This is worse than some one who does not want to lose their job or get fined for a stupid job action?
This decision to strike on the issue of testing is stupid!!!!!
Do you understand the demands????
Do you understand that the strike is for: testings every student/teacher? This will not keep you safe... Idiots!
The STRIKE IS NOT FOR:
all remote- I would strike for this!
getting rid of instructional lunch - I would strike for this!
getting rid of isolation room -- staffed by a teacher- I would strike for this!
For grade fraud- I would strike for this!
For Principal Abuse - I would strike for this!
For Danielson evaluation during Hybrid/Remote instructional guidelines.
For Horrible/Weak Discipline Code - I would strike for this!
For Blaming Teachers for student/parent failure --- I WOULD STRIKE FOR ANY OF THESE...
READ WHAT YOU ARE STRIKING FOR and then "SHUN" ME - You Sound like an idiot anyway!
And BTW, ATRs are already shunned by their colleagues everyday. And how many PEP hearing did you go to when your fellow teachers' schools were being closed? Bet NONE!
@Prehistoric - I would bet money that I am already shunning backwards thinkers like you. i'll bet you're not even an active teacher and are sitting there collecting some kind of check while you hurl your insults from that worn-out chair of yours.
Prehistoric has said many times he is retired but walked the walk as a new teacher in the 1975 strike. I know we have many new readers so it's okay not to know.
I agree @ 4:05:00
The District Rep mentioned that the strike cannot be considered illegal if it is due to unsafe conditions. The courts will be the ones to rule on that, but if one has been approved to work remotely (I haven't), how can that be considered unsafe?
A strike by the UFT is completely fake, useless and unnecessary.
It is one big, humongous unforced error as far as I am concerned.
I will have nothing to do with supporting it. It is a fantasy.
Many teachers should simply make use of the FFFCRA act and work remote at full salary.
Simply put, a teacher shortage will force the DOE to go fully remote.
Instead of a strike the UFT, should go to the courts and seek an injunction against the city preventing the reopening of the schools
The schools will not be ready to open on September 10th.
The CSA knows it. The parents know it. The teachers know it. PERIOD
4:05 PM. I’m not sure what your problem is with what I wrote. Of course a child molester is worse than a scab. You repeated the exact same thing.
If I am receiving a pink slip, you bet your ass I'll cross that picket line.
@8:35 - if you receive a pink slip why would you need to cross the picket line? Would you still have a job?
@11:06
30 day notice
This issue is making people loopy.
@Prehistoric says the right thing and is harangued. Sheesh...reading some of the responses about his "molester" statement had me scratching the old noggin. And now @8:35's statement has made me spin on my head like a NYC 70s breakdancing expert.
This is how the people in power always win: They confuse the populace with so much stuff that the populace becomes bogged down and start going loopy. We are debating, arguing, spinning our wheels about what to do and when to do it. Some folks won't strike over Covid (life) but will strike over Danielson, grade fraud, lack of student discipline,etc (quality of educational life/profession). I'm going to continue to say: If you fall into either category, you better prepare to make your own decision really soon. If you don't know what to do...Diblahsio and Mildew do. If it were me I would strike:
To take back my union.
for the safety of my family
For the sh@/ the DOE/UFT has done to the profession, the staff and students over the years.
Why would I expect this mayor and union president to do right by me? In March you should have not gone in. Periodt! The dang on STATE was shut down but you had to work? Oh hell no. If anyone is surprised by the actions of these powers, you have been chilling for far too long. Many of us have seen this movie toooo often. "Your back's against the wall.There's no one home to call. You're forgetting who you are. You can't stop crying. It's part not giving in. And part trusting your friends. You do it all again. You don't stop trying." *Gossip
If we strike...
How do we pay our bills?
@11:52 - aaah - makes sense. One would really need that next month of pay.
@12:27 pm
Folks will probably have to talk with creditors...use some savings for a bit.
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