Tuesday, December 01, 2020

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT FROM MIKE SCHIRTZER

Arthur Goldstein's minutes of last night's Executive Board meeting missed this important exchange between Mike Schirtzer and UFT President Michael Mulgrew.

Michael Schirtzer:
Hi Michael, as you said Bill Deblasio's press conferences are confusing, add on Cuomo has become trump like with his attacks on any reporter that asks challenging questions, and at this point we get more information from you (mulgrew) on WNYC than email or official UFT communications. 

Needless to say this has led my friends that are teachers, paras, counselors, all UFT members to be angry, upset, demoralized, people are really feeling demoralized!

-We are not in your inner circle that you mentioned earlier, so we dont know what's happening. We don't understand what's going on. If I was in your inner circle, and was giving you advice, which I know you dont want from me, I would have suggested a press conference with the same medical experts and scientists you had back before school opened. I thought that was great, so did my members. You had actual experts explaining the plan based on science, right now we haven't had anything like that. I'm on the executive board and I still dont know what's going on.

Mulgrew:
Right now I can't tell you why we have done this. There's a reason we haven't come out and explained everything, but now is not the time to say it. You got more information tonight than anyone and it's coming to the members. We have emails to the members on the way. Deblasio doesnt explain anything well, he needs to go to teacher school to learn how to do this like we do. We will get that information out to the members

146 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perfect example. You want to pay dues for that, you are dumber than I thought. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Be concerned about this, dues payers.

Today's update on the numbers:

Of the 146,675 tests reported yesterday, 7,285 were positive (4.96% of total).

Total hospitalizations are at 3,774.

Sadly, there were 66 COVID fatalities yesterday.

Anonymous said...

You think Mukgrew cares? Nah. YOU take the bus and train and sit with eating, coughing, spitting students.

New York's coronavirus numbers as of midnight, per
@NYGovCuomo
-4.96% statewide positivity rate, including micro-cluster focus zones
-66 deaths
-3,774 hospitalized (up 242 from yesterday)
-1,714 in ICU
-384 intubated (up 23 from yesterday)

Anonymous said...

Teacher school? Is that like wood shop? Are you joking, is this really the head of the UFT? How exactly is Mulgrew, Cuomo, and deBlasio any different than Trump? They all use the same autocratic, top down, management skills. They are all arrogant narcissists. Their vocabulary is about the same; and their common sense and creative skills are worse. I was waiting for a suggestion of disinfection ingestion. Michael thinks everybody’s stupid and perhaps he’s correct. He’s telling teachers to go back into school next week and he won’t give the reason?! And that should be good enough for all of you. He is after all the grand and powerful Wizard of 52 Broadway. His explanatory email is in the twilight zone about to arrive. Don’t hold your breath. Even if it does come, it will be written like that fake Santa Claus letting you received from mom when you were four explaining why you couldn’t get what you want for Christmas. No Colt .45 then, but maybe this year we’ll get the bullet.

Anonymous said...

Go to work, it is safe.

And from the 'when it rains, it pours' file: City's blood supply is down to about 3 days, should be 7 days. There's a contest to boost donations that includes tickets to a Jets game — tho, I'm not sure how much of an inducement that is.

Sarah said...

I’m confused. If JUST opening schools is a reason to give de Blasio credit, despite all the disasters and changes, a vote of no confidence from the principals union, teachers doing the jobs of two or three, no plan to improve remote learning for ~800,000 kids, dropping the original testing agreement along with the UFT, choosing a hybrid plan in the first place that mathematically couldn’t serve everyone adequately...well, then unfurl the “great job!” banner I guess?
I’ll be back in school next week, happy to return but very anxious too. The real test to me will be if testing and other safety protocols are followed this time. When they were dropped the first time, it was when cases were low and weather was better. Not so now.

As of today, my school had zero kids tested so far. We’re not the only ones. These testing failures have never been mentioned in the NYT to my knowledge. In fact, it’s routinely reported that “positive tests are extremely low in schools”.

Sarah said...

Nothing to worry about...

NYC urges those most vulnerable to COVID-19 to stay home, wear masks
By Nolan Hicks and Kate SheehyDecember 1, 2020 | 11:30am | Updated

Bronx ATR said...

Just read it Arthur’s minutes. There’s something else that struck me. The local tabloid papers are reporting that Mulgrew is trying to end Mayoral control. Mulgrew obtusely denied that, which concurred with the Times original reporting on the subject. Mulgrew isn’t fighting to end Mayoral control, he’s fighting to have some UFT checks and balances on mayoral control. That’s an important difference and one I, and most teachers I know, totally disagree with. There should be an end to mayoral control. From Bloomberg to deBlasio it has been a complete disaster. A disaster that is completely avoidable. No one seems to be focused on this distinction because of all the other nonsense that’s happening. The thing is all that nonsense is happening because of mayoral control. If we had a board of education for the schools we would be closed until June. Mulgrew is very remiss in what he’s doing and it will bite him in the ass come June.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, sure! Proof is forthcoming. And I'm Cindarella!

Anonymous said...

Go to hell, teachers. Uft is silent.

NYC's 7-day average COVID-19 infection rate has crept above 4 percent for the first time since June 1, to 4.03, while the daily positivity rate is 4.69 percent. That's with low testing over the T-giving holiday. Expect much higher rate...

Anonymous said...

So Mr. Muldirt then tell us at least the reason you can't tell us? I have never once until the last few weeks considered cutting dues but c'mon! what else is left, The rank and file are to spineless to make that new union I hope fo. Maybe the only way left is to tighten those purse strings...

Shelley said...

An excellent example of how dysfunctional and beyond reform the UFT is. If anyone asks a difficult question the President evades it, obfuscates, diverts attention, pretends to be on the side of the members. The question, of course, is also absurd because it is not a question but a statement, a critic, a nudge, a suggestion that, as the questioner admits, won't be taken or even acknowledged.

This is what we pays dues for?

The reformers are dancing with the President. It takes two to tango. Meanwhile, back in the real world, teachers teach and students learn. How this is accomplished is nothing short of a miracle, not because of the pandemic, or the take-over of education by business technology and surveillance, but because the union, the only voice the teachers have, is dancing, locked in an embrace, one content to lead, powerfully without constraint, the other content to follow, as long is can be turned and wink at the so-called dissident members.

Who can distinguish the dancers from their dance? Seeing them as one in the same, you can, give yourself a raise. You won't be taking anyone's job.

“After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, the vampire, He had some awful substance left with which He made a scab.” --JL

Anonymous said...

satisfied, dues payers?

We’re already hearing about teachers with medical accommodations being pressured by their admins to “switch” to make the Mayor’s “5 day” pipe dream work. This is not okay.

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew, when confronted why he agreed to changing the plan again and keeping schools open essentially in any scenario, gives an answer that confirms that it’s not about science, or parent pressure, THE ULTERIOR MOTIVE IS ONE HE CANT REVEAL RIGHT NOW?

Joe said...

Joe here,

I haven't said a word in a week. I agree with Shelley.

All of you keep proving my point.

Anonymous said...

Update:
45 ZIPs above 5%
77 above 4%
114 above 3% (64 % of ZIPs)
Hospitalizations way up!
Bottom line, to contain the spread we need
@NYCMayor
&
@NYGovCuomo
to listen to health experts, find some $$ to support affected businesses & families & say no to more illness & death.

Anonymous said...

I have diabetes and I do in class learning. A lot of teachers with the medical accommodations are crying wolf. Experts keep saying Covid only has a 1 percent death rate. These teachers are just taking advantage and they know it. You have a much higher chance of getting sick with 34 kids in class during the regular flu season, but they don't provide accommodations for teachers then. I agree with the principals on this. If it's safe for one, it's safe for all.

Anonymous said...

Did they furlough anybody yet?

Anonymous said...

Keep paying dues. Teachers deserve the leaders they elect.

Anonymous said...

Or if it isn't safe for 1, it is safe for none.

Anonymous said...

Are you opt out nut job scabs really going to criticize Mike Schirtzer for asking tough questions to Mulgrew? The man deserves credit for standing up to Mulgrew at these meetings. None of you anonymous assholes have 1/10 of the stones that Shirtzer has. I don't think I could do what he does. He has my respect. Calling his question absurd and Joe agreeing shows what complete assholes some of you are.

Anonymous said...

I don’t think anyone on here criticized Mike Schirtzer, unless I missed something - always a possibility with me. It’s a small miracle he was even allowed to ask the question he did and of course he deserves our thanks. Even more remarkable is that he got a fairly honest answer from Mulgrew. He was up front in that he wouldn’t tell anyone. I think everyone of us would vote for Mike Schirtzer if he was running against Mulgrew. I think most would vote for a ham sandwich over Mulgrew. I’d vote vote for just the thought of a ham sandwich. What I don’t get is why people create such animosity towards others when they have different opinions or even when there’s the perception of differing opinions. The Uft loves that division when the disaffected and disenchanted are called scabs or some other name, instead of dealing with why they don’t want to pay. Or call the Mulgrew fans sycophants and naïve for their loyalty. All of us are wrong and we should be supporting one another and help one another even if Uft and the DOE refuse to see that. If we could do that we could start a real union or seek some kind of real change from within. It’s not gonna come from us retirees or vets. It’ll have to come from the newbies, the veritable AOC‘s of the Uft, if they exist. And I do believe there are a few. Cheers

Anonymous said...

Wrong. We are criticizing the uft for being a do nothing union. Has nothing to do with the question asked. We are criticizing the membership for continuing to pay for this shit. Mulgrew admits he is lying and science is irrelevant. Which school will Mulgrew be spending entire days in?

Joe said...

I have balls. I opted out. They have my name and file number. I can't use the uft lawyer. Try to fire me.

Anonymous said...

Joe- You and the other opt-outers are self-centered individuals who care only about yourselves. It doesn't take balls to take your marbles and go home. Big deal, the union has your name and file number. You won't get fired because you probably kiss the administration's asses. Step up like Schirtzer and you will have a set of real balls. And 8:49. you can't vote for Schirtzer or that ham sandwich if you opt-out of the union.

Joe said...

"It’s a small miracle he was even allowed to ask the question"

That says it all. Real democracy. Nah, I'll keep my $1,600 annually. Why do you pay, 922pm?

Anonymous said...

This advisory comes as the city's coronavirus numbers continue to tick up steadily. Mayor de Blasio said that according to the city's latest data, the daily number of people admitted to hospitals is up to 132, with 58% of them testing positive for COVID-19; new reported cases on a seven day average is 1,685; the daily percentage of New Yorkers who have tested positive is 5.72%, and the seven day positive test average is at 4.14%.

Open the schools. What could go wrong?

Anonymous said...

Funny, 9:22 calls names yet doesnt offer any suggestions or explain why it is worth continuing paying or when to expect change.

Anonymous said...

Who says it is a miracle he is even allowed to ask a question? Shelley. A real genius. Schirtzer is on the UFT's Executive Board. He can ask questions each week. He just needed the balls to stand up to Mulgrew. That takes more balls than the Joes of the world will ever have. You guys know so little about the UFT. No wonder we get fucked over.

Anonymous said...

Cool. You make your decision, I make mine. I chose to look at the facts, over decades, and decided it is worth nothing to me. Opt out was my only option. Why don't you explain what I'm missing.

Anonymous said...

Lol. I thought there were only 3 opt outers commenting over and over. Now they are the reason 150k members get no service? Those 3 must've demanded schools stay opened too.

Anonymous said...

Opt out assholes are our biggest enemy within, even bigger than Mulgrew. You have a six figure job with a decent pension without a union? No. Those are the facts.

Joe said...

So are these...

March 17-19, sent into infected buildings, and made to travel to and from those infected buildings, knowing they were infected.
1.3% raises over 11 years
Retro held back with no interest for 12 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
Backing failures while rewarding them after doing nothing
7-12 report card comments
Still sending us into infected buildings
Fake covid testing

Jeff said...

1. 100k after 18 years in a high tax and high cost state with Masters...Not that good. Why do elected officials such as Ms. Harris keep saying teachers are underpaid?

2. What was the reason before 2017? There was no opt out.
The 2005 contract?.
The 2014 contract?
Which asshole caused that?
How can a few people opting out be that big of a problem?
What did those people cause?
We can tell you what Mulgrew caused.

Anonymous said...

11:04,
Mulgrew and his toadies are destroying the union and they didn’t do anything to get us anything. They just inherited the position or were awarded the jobs for blind loyalty to their party and leader, not teachers. They are trading everything away and were even willing to trade your lives for automatic dues check off last March. I opted out two years ago and never regretted it. It’s not a real union. 6% opted out last June, and that number will be 30% in June. Calling people assholes is not going to win them over to your point of view. Indeed, it breeds more anger and division. Mulgrew hasn’t even bothered to ask teachers if they’re willing to go in next week. This after deBlasio broke yet another agreement that Mulgrew established. He just folds over again and won’t explain why. This is while 52 Broadway remains fully remote. No one can legitimately say stay in this union. I’m not telling anybody to drop out. I will tell you to start listening to yourself and not to the charter opt out folks or the unity shills. The UFT will not survive as it is in its current incarnation. It will have to change. The only thing it cares about is money, therefore withholding dues is a viable plan to spur that change, if it is organized and done correctly. James had the right idea last spring - a dues strike to force some kind of real representation. Organize that and stop waiting for someone else. To be honest I hope Uft and the DOE implode together. I only care about the teachers and the kids who continue to be completely short changed as usual. The schools aren’t even schools, they are warehouses.

Anonymous said...

Bigger asshole? Um, Mulgrew sent people to die. Ask those families who the asshole is. Yeah, you can really argue the uft is earning those dues.

Anonymous said...

I have a medical accommodation with diabetes...you want play with fire....rock on....I am not taking advantage of a goddamned thing....teaching from home is a blessing and I will continue to do so as long as the medical accommodation is offered....it works for me.

Anonymous said...

Facts

Marc said...

When I was in the atr pool, because of a school closing...
I had to go through metal detection everyday
I had to pee in a cup because they wouldn't give me a bathroom key
I had to then pay for a key at a school I was leaving
I had a daily 5 hour round-trip at almost every placement
I was observed out of license with a class I never met
I was paying full dues
Sill and Amy did nothing except tell me there was nothing they can do
I applied to hundreds of jobs
I had a satisfactory record every single year

Anonymous said...

Oh no, some sucker paying $124 per month to be shit on thinks I’m an asshole with small balls. How will I ever live myself.

Shelley said...

Beyond demoralized a teacher simply wants to know why she should go into a classroom with socially distanced students (14 students in an average classroom), open the windows, take attendance, ask if students need help--these are not students on her register, none are in her courses--respond, perhaps to one question, more often none, then observe students on phones for 45 minutes. Why do she have do do this twice a day? The only explanation I've been given is that there is some requirement, that may pertain to this school and not others, that students have two "classes" like this each day. Is it funding? Don't know. Is it because these students are part of a program that receives special funding that would be lost if they were not in these "classes"? Don't know. Did the SBO the CL pushed through for the Admins lock this in place for the year? Don't know.
Why don't I know.

Because knowledge is power. I tell my students that an education is the only investment not subject to the law of diminishing returns. I'm not sure who said this, I should look it up, but right now I am so demoralized I've come to see this and so many phrases I might post on the walls of my classrooms, like Be Prompt, Be Polite, Be Prepared, as mere platitudes, nonsense, even bad advice.

For all I know is that am still a fool because I walk to work because I will not take the train. I follow the strictest measures to protect myself my family--a family of teachers and other union members who risk their lives to work for the city they have always loved and are so sad to see has finally succumbed to an irreversible and hostile takeover of the working lives of so many of its proud and thick-skinned denizens, to the irreparable damages caused not by a virus, but by its mismanagement, and at least for the teaches and nurses, by the union that is charged with protecting the workers.

They are going to start "jabbing" people in the UK with a virus the US helped develop, an amazing feat, and mRNA vaccine is nothing short of a miracle. Let is us dare to hope it works better than everything else we've done to fight this monster.

Stay safe everybody. We are in for a long and difficult winter still, but I say, Here Comes the Sun. And me and mine we will be off to sunny places soon. And I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and Holidays cheer.

Thank you James. Your blog has been a big help to me and to my family.

Goodbye,

Shelley

Anonymous said...

Who is doing more to bust the union: the assholes here dropping out with no plan to organize shit or Mulgrew? That's a good question. If 30% opt out, you have guaranteed Unity wins again in 2022 and this goes on and on. The time is right now to do something.

Anonymous said...

Let them pay $1600 annually for no or poor service. Happy? You win. I'm an asshole. But I'm not paying $1600.

Anonymous said...

If 30% vote against mulgrew, he still wins, in a landslide.

Anonymous said...

Oh, wait, I voted against mulgrew every time. No race was close. Just like I paid dues for 20 years. I was abandoned. Uft had full membership forever and drove the profession into the ground.

Anonymous said...

The 30% plus all those who are pissed would lead to a landslide against Mulgrew but it won't make a difference if you all walk. I think many of us agree that Mulgrew is an asshole as are opt outers. All of you put us at risk further.

Anonymous said...

IT IS TIME FOR A NO CONFIDENCE RALLY IN FRONT OF 52 BROADWAY!

Steve said...

What happened before opt out was an issue? It was just started. Like the 2005 and 20q4 contract. Sorry, fooled me enough times. I would rather save the rape dues. Have fun when Mulgrew sends you back into infected buildings with more fake covid testing. I'm full remote without an accommodation. I wish you would all join me.

Bronx ATR said...

8:45,
Believe me even if that 30% voted against Mulgrew, he would still win by a landslide. He has all the retirees scattered over the globe that he contacts, promises and does the shimmy for. No one but Unity candidates can get their names and addresses. The Taylor law doesn’t stop this nonsense because the retirees aren’t employees, even though they pay dues and can vote. It’s the only union in the world that allows for this type of outrageous rigging. It’s a complete set up. There is absolutely no way Mulgrew can lose. I always laugh when I hear Mulgrew denigrate Trump. Trump is a child and the Republican Party are children compared to Mulgrew and Unity. Ask James, or anyone who has run against the Unity machine about their experience. I even ran myself once. I opted out when I retired, but will rejoin if I see any type of democratic change. If anything the UFT has gotten worse. I’m not telling anyone to drop out or stay in. Neither way is the answer.

TJL said...

Between what Mike said and the opt out comments what is clear - and for the record, I've opted so far to stay in, not out - is that the Unity leadership has failed to listen to its customers. In fact I think too many at the UFT are communists and socialists who haven't come to grips with the fact that in a (somewhat) free market post-Janus they have to actually provide good service to their members, the customers.

The UFT has operated as a Mafia for too long, used to taking dues (its "protection money") by force. It even pays off politicians to do its bidding.

When I interact with anyone above my CL, and/or at 52 B'Way, they act as if I'm supposed to kiss their asses, when if anything it should be the other way around. Zero customer service skills, like the cable companies in the 80's and 90's before satellite and Fios.

The people opting out are not assholes. They don't feel like they're getting value for their money. The UFT needs to hire people from the business world to help them improve in this regard. People will pay for a good product and good service. When people are not getting a good product or good service, they'll do something else with their money. It's Economics 101.

Anonymous said...

Blame Mulgrew or the 3 opt out guys for this?

5.72% positivity rate today (will likely rise as more results come in). 7-day up to 4.1%, says NYC Mayor.

As Mulgrew sits at home, as TRS is closed, as UFT is closed.

Remember...Mulgrew:
Right now I can't tell you why we have done this. There's a reason we haven't come out and explained everything, but now is not the time to say it. You got more information tonight than anyone and it's coming to the members. We have emails to the members on the way. Deblasio doesnt explain anything well, he needs to go to teacher school to learn how to do this like we do. We will get that information out to the members

Anonymous said...

All 102 seats on the union's Executive Board were won by the Unity caucus.. I would rather save the $1600 than waste my vote again.

Anonymous said...

Can dues be held in escrow, kind of like holding the money hostage until mulgrew starts acting like a leader?who would be in charge?
Mulgrew is obscenely rolling in a high salary.if he got voted out, he would still be rich...from screwi g people over.

Anonymous said...

954, that would be opting out until you see change.

Anonymous said...

Remember the 3% threshold that was abandoned?

Or this...MULGREW'S LATEST EMAIL CONFIRMS CONTRACT CHANGES WERE AGREED TO BY UFT
We have a whole new contractual work day that nobody voted on that we showed violated the current Contract. Whether this is better or worse should be up to the rank and file to decide in a vote, not Mulgrew.

Or how the cupboard was bare in 2014 while the city had a $6B surplus. We are now waiting until 2021.

Keep waiting everybody. What will it take?

paula said...

So I can’t get my hair or nails done, or even go to a restaurant in the neighborhood, but I’m going into a Petri dish school and everything’s ok? Yep. Makes sense when you don’t think about it.

Thank you uft for making the opt out decision easy.

Anon2323 said...

WE should choose a week in JUne to expose him and put added pressure, thousands of teachers in the streets whether its Mulgrew office the mayors or wherever is best., Let diblasio tell us we are breaking the taylor law, let's call that bluff.

Thousands of parents would join and back the teachers as they are fed up as well. Besides pulling dues only other real option, just need those crazy AOC liberal-type teachers to step out and get manic and crazy and organize. Let Edelman and the media outlets come and interview teachers to explain frustrations and put it all on the table for country to see. Otherwise lets blog and type and be scared and keep whining and complaining.

Anonymous said...

Like the rally in msg before the 2005 contract? That got us arguably the worst contract in uft history.

Anonymous said...

UFT safety in action. Why pay dues?

By the way, some principals appear to be telling teachers to prepare to have classrooms with up to 19 students in a room next week ; seems like this would make following social distancing impossible with the square footage of classrooms being what they are.

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew is avoiding mentioning Cuomo with regard to the re-opening of some schools.

It is all about Cuomo forcing the re-opening of elementary schools
on DeBlasio,

Anonymous said...

There is no upper closing threshold anymore right? And no orange or red zone school closures? The fact that this isn’t clear says a lot about the whole deal, including
uft’s support for and communication with its members.

Anonymous said...

We really have two choices:

1) To constantly complain on this blog
and accept the UFT with all its flaws and corruption.

or

2) We can opt out until there are changes in the management of the UFT.

Option 1 is passive acceptance and the weak option
Option 2 is active assertiveness and the strong option.

Anonymous said...

None of this makes sense. If the rates are going up why are we going in. We should open two weeks after christmas. People are getting together for holidays. Where the fuck is our union leader. Maybee I will use two weeks of sick time. We are all going in as an experiment. We are the most underpaid people in America. Be safe everyone.

TJL said...

Without a Union most of you hiding in your basements would have no job, because almost no job allows you to "work" from your basement. An "at will employee" can and will be fired for not showing up to work. Frankly you're lucky DeBlasio and Cuomo have no brains nor any balls, unlike Reagan, who fired the PATCO employees when they went on strike and wouldn't negotiate.

Attack Unity and Mulgrew all you want but don't act like you would survive 2 minutes in a real job or without a union when you don't want to work for your money.

James Eterno said...

Option 2 is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

If opting out is not done in an organized way, which none of you have shown any proclivity to lead, UFTers opting out en masse would be a mess. Unity won't become militant in a smaller union.

I do agree though, you should stop complaining here (on this pro-union blog) and just leave. I don't know how much longer I can deal with the hijacking of just about every post. I hate censorship but do not have the time to respond to every comment which deserve responses. You may soon have to go elsewhere to spread your anti-union views.

Anonymous said...

TJL I’ll take Biden’s job. He’s been working from his basement for months. Except for those in law enforcement and the medical profession, all my other friends have been working from their basement too. Be a hater. I’m opting out in June.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your echo chamber, James. While you guys get no where, those sick of their unions corruption are saving money.

Anonymous said...

You can only go to schools. UFT is silent, as always.

Today’s #COVID19 indicators:

• 146 new hospitalizations
• 1,809 new cases
• 4.8% positivity rate (7-day avg.)

Let’s double down on what works. Wear a mask, practice social distancing and if you feel sick, please STAY HOME.

waitingforsupport said...

@ Joe...
You've unpacked a whole lotta stuff. I guess we are all going to pick up our stuff/baggage and clean it up. Otherwise, don't throw stones.

Anonymous said...

There are plenty of jobs in the private sector that allow one to work from home, in the attic, basement, wherever one prefers. As for Regan, if you are referring to the air traffic controllers, that was a completely different situation. I do agree that a union ANY union is better than no union and as such we need to fix this one not leave it. If everyone opts out with out organizing something in its place then that really leaves us up shits creek with no union and zero protections. You can not opt out without a solid real plan to put something better in place.

waitingforsupport said...

@jeff...
Yes Mulgrew caused alot. For what reason? Self preservation. Greed.
He ain't alone. Read the comments about fake grades and you'll see that Mulgrew isn't alone.

jonathan said...

TJL,

Are you saying this isnt a real job? That clears a lot up. Thanks for clarifying. You just proved what a scam this all is. What other job could involve educating students where nobody educates students and nobody cares and billions are spent a year for no reason and students can actually not attend class, ever, but do the work and pass.

Anonymous said...

Well, this sounds great, we should certainly pay for and be proud of this. And someone paying dues wrote this.

"The UFT has operated as a Mafia for too long, used to taking dues (its "protection money") by force. It even pays off politicians to do its bidding.

When I interact with anyone above my CL, and/or at 52 B'Way, they act as if I'm supposed to kiss their asses, when if anything it should be the other way around. Zero customer service skills, like the cable companies in the 80's and 90's before satellite and Fios."

Anonymous said...

So James, your answer is??? You will censor people who say how much the union sucks while agreeing that the union sucks while telling us to keep paying dues while saying to make a change when change has been on the table for how long while dues were 100% forever and the uft has failed us forever.

If we never write another anti union post that does not mean the union is doing the job or helping anybody. They are simply the mafia taking the money while schools fail, students go uneducated and teachers babysit.

Anonymous said...

Why would we complain?

BREAKING -- The CDC is urging Americans to stay home for the holidays.

But go to schools?

Anonymous said...

LOL. James wants 1 party. What do you expect us to discuss here? How great everything is? How about the dangerous opening of schools? The retro? 1% raises? Loss of tda? Grade fraud? How about the dead uft members?

So we should shut up and be silent or lie and say how content we are?

waitingforsupport said...

At least biden is working.
Thump has been playing golf, crying and stomping fraud, and not issuing a federal response to Covid.

Anonymous said...

This is my 5th year as a teacher. You guys have convinced me to opt out. I'm not paying over $1600 a year for this BS. I'm young. $1600 a year compounded at 8% over the next 30 years is over $200,000 in a typical equities-heavy portfolio. Sounds better for me. I'm not getting any value for dues now anyways.

Anonymous said...

"i am against censorship, but will do it if you make me."
" i do not want to beat you, so just don't make me angry."
mmkay.

Anonymous said...

Wait till I pass 3% of students next week. I dare them to tell me attendance doesn't count.

TJL said...

1:17, the problem is that you're even worse off without the Union.

"Cut the cord" meant you were stuck with rabbit ears for TV. If you were a sports fan (particularly hockey) you either dealt with Staten Island Cable (this is pre-Time Warner) or were out of luck.

People paid the Mob because the alternative was their businesses being burnt to the ground or getting their kneecaps busted.

That doesn't mean there shouldn't be reform.

James Eterno said...

If you are going to quote me, please quote me accurately. I didn't say what you accused me of saying 3:22.

I don't need an echo chamber and I put through all the garbage attacking me and the UFT. The stuff that gets cut is racist, sexist, way off topic or commercial.

I like that UFTers have a forum here that is fairly widely read. However, the anti-union rhetoric is dangerous and needs a constsnt response. I do not have time while taking care of two kids and working part time to respond to comments all day. This is an unpaid gig. Okay, it boosts my fragile ego when the page views go way up but I am trying to attract people who want to fix the union or organize a better one, not those who have given up on it.

I have four choices moving ahead:

1-Cut back on blogging (I took a 6 week break at the end of 2018)
2- Reduce the comments to those who will provide real identifying information
3- Cut out comments altogether
4-Continue to fight with the anti-union zealots here.

Anonymous said...

Ok, still waiting for a suggestion that will work.

We mostly all agree the uft sucks.

We have no way to change leadership.

You say we can't opt out.

What would be the next step? Please don't repeat things that will never happen.

Bronx ATR said...

James has done a remarkable job in giving so many disinfected members of voice. A voice that will not be heard elsewhere. Most bloggers nastily shut down any comments that don’t confirm their own. James deserves great thanks for not doing that. His civility and kindness is seen as a right to ignore him by some. That says more about them than it does James. You must remind yourself of the inherent decency of James and remember it is his blog. James has the right to direct the comments towards the post that he’s writing about and wants discussed. It’s like teaching about World War II and a discussion breaks out on who’s music is better Travis Scott’s or Post Malone’s. Everyone gets excited and starts naming their favorite songs and a heated debates ensues. The poor SS teacher is left wondering how to bring it back it in. He cajoles, warns and threatens. He even discusses his favorite WW2 rapper Chubby Churchill. It doesn’t help. It’s back to opting out with a crazed anonymous fury that rapidly degrades into personal attacks. None of this does anyone any good. There are other options. I haven’t gone on a protest march for teacher rights in years. In the early 90’s we had at least one a week - in front of schools, the BOE and even City Hall once. If so many feel so strongly, perhaps it’s time to visit 52 Broadway, Superman’s abode on Staten Island and/or City Hall.

waitingforsupport said...

@james...
Thanks for the forum. Cut out whomever you like. If it were my blog, I would minimally tolerate #4. Minimally. This is your kingdom lol. Let the anti union folks start their own blog. I'm union all day!!!
Again, thanks for this blog. Enjoy your family and forget the haters.

Anonymous said...

I vote for number 2 and limit the anti union folks. I don’t know why they are trying to convince people to drop out? They should just drop out and be done with this blog.

Scruffygrognard said...

I am pro-Union but think that Mulgrew's leadership is undermining our faith in the UFT. His unwillingness to keep us in the loop and seeming complicity with City Hall are a major cause of concern.

At this point the union is not doing its fundamental job (representing its members), so I can see why frustration is high. If the union loses members and bargaining strength because of this debacle, Mulgrew should be held responsible.

Anonymous said...

You all ignored the below...People have no option

Ok, still waiting for a suggestion that will work.

We mostly all agree the uft sucks.

We have no way to change leadership.

You say we can't opt out.

What would be the next step? Please don't repeat things that will never happen.

Anonymous said...

James, any comment? Or should we shut up and laud the uft?

More than 100,000 people are currently in hospitals across the U.S. sick with Covid-19, as the pandemic pushes doctors, nurses and other health workers to their limits.

Dave said...

I need to make up work where do I start?

This is what I get from a no show after 60% of the term is over. Why hasn't the uft put a stop to this?

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 6:30 PM. I'd also like to ask Joe and his alternate opt out personalities that he uses to post on here why don't they post their nonsense on the UFT Twitter account? You come on here asking James why he does or doesn't do this or that like he's the UFT president. Why not post these questions to Mulgrew on Twitter? The nerve...

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, pay dues, go to work.

BREAKING: we have just surpassed the highest single-day coronavirus death toll with 2,658.

Anonymous said...

Uft dues is on topic for every post because we ALL wouldn't be in this position if the uft did their job.

Anonymous said...

I often disagree with James but do appreciate his efforts. If James wants to censor his blog it’s his right. If you silence opt outers you ARE creating an echo chamber on that issue. James seems to have deeply held values. He’s walked the walk. He wants the focus of the comments to be on his topic. Ok. But when someone goes off topic and others disagree with the off topic comment and then comment on the comment, the off topic ball starts rolling. More people become more interested in addressing comments than addressing the topic of the blog post. So what is James to do? He’s not interested in just allowing the “free market” conversation to flow wherever commenters want because he puts effort into his blog and the topics he selects. But he also wants to give latitude and not just hear from people who agree with him. I dunno James. I don’t have an easy answer either. I will say this, regular readers have repeatedly heard both sides of the opt out argument . There is nothing left to add to the argument. But I also think anyone new to the blog should be afforded the opportunity to hear both sides. Your blog. Do what you want.

TeachNY said...

I’m curious...in the minutes it was conveyed that operational complaints are being handled first, THEN there will be collective bargaining over our observations this year. Any word on how observations will be done? I can’t believe that this is even a thing this year?

Moose said...

James is the one of the few in the DOE that gives all of us Turkeys a voice, a reason to express ourselves, and a hope for the future. Even if it is a blog, this is a place where we can come together with ideas for perhaps something to occur.

Being a 34 year old, it's nice to see someone NOT cut out comments or "cancel" anyone due to their beliefs. It's rare these days to allow for a conversation from all sides of the spectrum. James allows free speech (that isn't blatantly racist, etc). James gives you his all for something he is retired from because his passion to see a brighter day is his longing. It is all of our longings. Some of us just want it in a different way.

Lastly, I STRONGLY SUGGEST if you're just being a "keyboard warrior" and complaining, then you have every right to do that. I will NEVER tell you what to do with your money. I just hope you appreciate without this (at least for me), we don't have a place to come together.

If I didn't have a 3rd Cancer bout as of Monday, I would try to form a new Union to make us stronger. I can't have stress and I'm trying to get healthy. I hope someone steps up and tries to make the change James advocates and WE ultimately want. Someone step up, form a cabinet team, and UNIONIZE to make lives for teachers better. I know we are better than what we are resorting to.

Moose Out.

Anonymous said...

Just read today that cdc/Fauci are in strong disagreement with nyc schools having closed. Stating transmission rate in schools is low.HS students are adults, and d75 ones dont have to test or wear masks. So not sure how that gets to fy!Rates are low bec of barely testing and bec most are remote.
But if the so called experts are pushing this false narrative(not their first false narrative),it is very difficult for our local leaders and Mulgrew to close schools.i just cant believe the pushback from parents!Many do not go to work.Besides. do they care if their child gets sick and could pass it to them??just bec they might be asymptomatic doesnt mean they are covid free.they can pass it to us.But they do not care.
This is scary. That the experts would push people together indoors with no filtration. We all voice this, but what is the way forward?I think if people knew how, we could try to change things. Randi is silent, of course.Question:why call out nyc schools for closing when we were the ones who had stayed open and most places are closed?? Must be a political reason bec he doesnt fault the other districts for closing at a case or two.something is fishy here, imho.

erica said...

I need help from all the experts and leaders receiving this email.

A student sent me the following email last night...

"I need to make up work where do I start?

Sad, right? Oh, until you realize he has CHOSEN to no show remote class all term, while having a $900 NYC iPad. The term is now 65% over, he can't bother to turn on the device that we paid for and has completed zero assignments. He is already sitting at home, right?

My answer is that he can start next term after he fails this term. I don't participate in grade fraud. Unfortunately, pretty much my whole school and most of the NYC school system is in this spot yet most of them seem to be passing most of their classes while never logging into a live class.

I would love to hear some words of encouragement and direction from UFT leadership and the NYC Mayor and Chancellor. Exactly how low should he standards be? Exactly what is mastery? If students can no-show the entire term and pass, the chancellor said you can have 0% attendance and pass, don't the teachers have zero value?

What say you?

Anonymous said...

Is it confirmed that the student has a working device and access to internet?

erica said...

Yes, the student is documented to have a working device. Can we stop making excuses and just grade honestly? I guess all the students who are making the same excuses while having working devices should just be handed 65. I mean, logging in from home with your camera off is pretty difficult, as is doing 2 minute assignments.

Anonymous said...

If they can log in but do not, it is on the student. Don't pass them. I assume the school tried to contact them.

Erica said...

I'm tired of getting the same damn excuse everyday. Guidance is no help, repeatedly telling me I should work with the students. No, the student, as usual, didn't do his part. He can repeat in summer school. Never ending chances, never a penalty, absolutely no standards. 0% attendance. Then, on January 25, they can just submit 25 assignments. Yeah, no thanks.

Anonymous said...

What they are not considering is that schools are one of the few places that are keeping track of covid tests. Are all offices, stores, banks, and other workplaces? The school positivity rate actually may be high compared to other types of work environments. When it comes to students making up work, I was told kids can hand things in up until the day the term ends and even after that.

Erica said...

Nope, not with me. Classwork is a certain %. A no show, 20% , 30%, 50% attendance isn't passing.

James Eterno said...

So give the NX. Are you getting heat from admin?

TJL said...

Erica is right, and let's go one step further, "remote learning" in and of itself is a fraud.

Part of me doesn't blame the students, many are not being taught anything, the rest are getting half-assed teaching, there are no tests, so why log on?

The only real learning that was going on, where kids could have worksheets to write on, tangible manipulatives to work with, and where student learning could be verified with quizzes (no time for tests), was in person. Unsurprisingly, my pass rate is north of 90% for my in-person students (I'm not holding the Mayor's shutdown against their grades) and below 20% for the remotes, and I suspect that half of that 20% is cheating using the PhotoMath app.

James Eterno said...

I spend the day watching remote learning for my son, my daughter, and my wife teaching. I also observe student teachers. There is plenty of good teaching and learning going on. Lots of it.

James Eterno said...

I see six schools and observe nothing of what people complain about here. Kids are live for hours each day. NYC is a huge system so I am not saying my little corner of the system is universal but to tell the public that nothing is going on remotely may be what is going on in certain settings but it is by no means universal.

Erica said...

You know why I get abused? Because other teachers allow srudents to log in any time from midnight to midnight, write hello or hi or their name and get attendance taken. I live teach 5 periods everyday for 3p minutes each. That is how they are present. Them I get questioned how students have 95% attendance in every class but 5% in my class. Then I get those same no shows saying they can't understand my work...because they are no shows. Yet they get 90 in every class while no showing.

Anonymous said...

With all due respect, as a student and a teacher, I attend work every day. If there was remote learning when i was in hs, you can bet i would be logged on everyday.

Anonymous said...

Thank you James, I agree with you I see great teaching as well. Also, when I teach I give students the best I have to offer, especially to those that show up to learn and want some type of normalcy and even distraction from their daily lives. Thank you James for all you do! There are some of us that are disheartened by the system, but still believe in the beauty of teaching. I'll try to hang in there as much as I can, one thing is certain for me I come to your blog to be informed because otherwise I would be in the dark. The UFT does not help nor support teachers and the ADMIN is just interested in observations that are more biased than helpful. So again thank you JAMES!

Anonymous said...

James it’s the TLJs of the world that want school open and don’t think the virus is anything. Very selfish mentality. So of course they are going to say how horrible remote is, it fits their narrative. In reality remote is working just fine in many places. We need to make the papers aware of this fact.

Anonymous said...

Most of my buddies are Bronx high school teachers and do absolutely nothing all day except make a perfunctory effort to try to reach the kids. Most of them don’t get up until 2PM do it’s futile exercise at best. If a kid checks in once during the week, he/she is marked present for every day of that week and everyone who checks in at least once during the semester passes. No one is complaining. I don’t know the policy on complete no shows. I understand why deBlasio wants the schools open. The type of poverty and ignorance that is awaiting society hasn’t been seen since the Industrial Revolution in large cities Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.

Anonymous said...

Teach the kids that want to learn. Give the no shows an NX. If your whole class no shows give the whole class an NX. Why are people stressing about this so much. Log in, teach those that are there to the best if your ability and call it a day. You are not going to fix societal issues at the school level.

Anonymous said...

Excuse our arrogance as New Yorkers — I speak for the mayor also on this one — we think we have the best health care system on the planet right here in New York,” Mr. Cuomo said on March 2. “So, when you’re saying, what happened in other countries versus what happened here, we don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”

Erica said...

LOL. Contractual remedy. I've been at many schools in my career. 90% are like this.

waitingforsupport said...

@ Moose.
I just said a prayer that God gives you strength, courage and peace. You got this!!!!

Jeff said...

Good luck, Moose. I hope everything goes well.

Anonymous said...

For all those that say we should be failing everyone. That can only happen if then the blame for failing is placed where it belongs, with the individual student, their family and the community in which they live. BUT we all know that if the grades and grad rate goes real and drops big time, everyone will blame us. So in reality these inflated grades and grad rates keep the politicians and the public from blaming us for more than they already do.

Anonymous said...

The NYC middle and high public schools are finished. Mulgrew knows it. Elementary schools are the only ones left up for grabs. Everything else is done. Ask him about that Mike S, he won’t answer that either.

Anonymous said...

It isnt easy when you grade honestly and 5% passing when everyone magically passes evey other class.

waitingforsupport said...

@erica...
Guidance is in your boat. What do you want to hear from Guidance?

Anonymous said...

2:56 until you get bullied by admin for NXing 80% of your class.

Anonymous said...

6:13 - NX is an incomplete. Admin should be fine with that. If not, have them send you an email or have a recorded meeting with them telling you to give a 65 to a kid who never shows and never did any work.

Anon said...

Goals are supposed to be "SMART", correct?! So, asshole here asks my AP, who is like a "boot" lieutenant back in the Corps, if our goal is an 80% pass rate in all subjects, for all students, how can we attain that with a (supposedly) 62% attendance rate? Is that "Realistic"?
She got flustered, yelled at me and hung up! Ha! Leave it to an old Platoon Sergeant to drive them nuts!
Semper Fi!

Erica said...

If a student is no showing, guidance should not be passing the buck and telling me to work with them. Or meet with them privately to explain things.

Fine, I want an investigation as to why guidance hasn't been able to get them to attend remotely every day. I was emailed by guidance a few days ago telling me they were adding a student to my class, I should work with her. Guess what. She has been on my roster since day 1. When I told guidance that, and mentioned the student has been absent 44 out of 44 days, i got no response.

I set clear guidelines, repeatedly. They aren't showing up, don't tell me to figure it out. CW is 50%. You would need at least 50% attendance with excellent written grades to have a chance. Many have 0% or 10% attendance. Like almost all of the them.

I told them all I am not accepting a whole terms worth of work getting thrown at me in January by no shows

Anonymous said...

If they can pass while not showing, just tell me, I won't bother teaching.

Anonymous said...

Never blamed on guidance, just like the teacher who passes everybody never gets questioned...Only the one who fails too many, even deservedly so.

Anonymous said...

Yes the major problem is these newbies who pass everyone to impress their administrators making them think they are great teachers. They are the real problem and they shouldn't be called teachers.

James Eterno said...

All the best to Moose for good health.

TeachNY said...

Passing them all is the same as NYS lowering the bar for Regents exams. You can practically guess on the algebra 1 exam and come out on top! Lol. An 80 means the kid probably really failed, lol.

Anonymous said...

Admin answer is that doe policy can't count attendance so whatever work is posted can be done whenever and they pass

Anonymous said...

all you new teachers are snowflakes and asskissers.

Anonymous said...

All you new teachers are snowflakes and asskissers. I hope your admins cuddle you and give you lollipops for your hard work. Do you work late till seven to get their work done. Do you call parents on the weekends.

Unknown said...

Calling all snowflakes we need you to work weekends.

James Eterno said...

New teachers are not the enemy. If you had to jump through the hoops that they do to get tenure, you might think differently.

Anonymous said...

Each teacher should make a decision and then live with it. Stop stressing. Either follow the DOE guidelines for grading and passing or go rogue and set higher standards for your students. Expecting the doe to side with rogue teachers who set their own standards is ridiculous. When has the doe ever done anything moral? I’m not using the word rogue negatively. I’m saying make your choice and go about your day because no one else can make that choice for you and you’re not changing the corrupt doe.... not before the end of this term or school year anyway.

James Eterno said...

If the school has a grading policy, there are ways to challenge it through professional conciliation and the contract article that says teacher grades are to be respected. Better to do this with others and, even if only a few.

Anonymous said...

You know. I had to jump through fire as an atr.But I know one thing for sure. I follow a contract and never kissed anyones ass. If everyone followed the contract it would put the burden on admin to finish goals. You know dam well they couldnt. Maybee that would lead to better raises in our contracts. Yes we have shitty leadership but we still have a contract. You need better union reps in the schools because the ones I see as an atr are in the pockets of the principal. There is no way new teachers should be staying late or working on weekends. Its not just about tenure too. There are teachers in the system for over ten years doing this. You want milldew gone. me too. But start taking action and report the shit you see in the school. The new teachers are great but they need to be schooled on how to follow a contract and also be supported. They dont care about our health and next week it will show. Im not saying a sickout but we should take some days here and there if your worried about it. Im hiding behind my shield with little or no interaction.

Anonymous said...

James, professional conciliation? Is this a grievance process?

Anonymous said...

"New teachers are not the enemy. If you had to jump through the hoops that they do to get tenure, you might think differently."

That was from James. Oh, maybe the uft should've done a better job. Ya know, since you are a pro union guy and since we pay them.

Also, that doesnt mean the newbies should give free grades to students who cant read or write. Still grade fraud...

Moose said...

One day at a time everyone.

Thank you for the well-wishes. I hope those of you involved with teaching can get the most you can out of it. Invest in your retirement, do the best you can.

This ever changing system is a terrible look, but as usual we are adjusting and making the most of it. The teachers put in all the work, and the public is lacked in the "education process" of "education". Keep up all the good work everyone!

Anonymous said...

It's Friday and this meeting was on Monday. Did anyone get any further information from the UFT?

Anonymous said...

I remember I had to jump through hoops to get my permanent license. I remember I had to go to Brooklyn Tech to take an oral exam for my city license which teachers don't have to do anymore. I also had to send in a VHS tape of my teaching as well to get fully licensed. Even the CTE I heard is dumbed down so more people of diverse backgrounds can pass it.

Anonymous said...

James it sounds like you’re saying not to blame newbies because they’re just following orders. How is that any different from a teacher following doe protocol on passing kids? I see it as the same. You either follow along to get along or you don’t. Don’t be insulted but is it your shared left ideology with newbies that make you see it as 2 different issues? I’m not baiting.... just calling it like I see it.

James Eterno said...

Just looking for a little union Solidarity. God knows we could use it.