We knew NYC school employees paid a heavy price from schools staying open for too long in March. We now have the tragic numbers from Politico.
To date, 79 employees from the Department of Education — the largest city agency — have died from Covid-19, the most fatalities any municipal department has endured, according to a tally released by City Hall. POLITICO calculated 88 deaths at the department, based on additional data from unions representing school workers.
Another 13 school safety agents and one crossing guard employed by the NYPD died from the virus, according to the police force.
Of the 83 school workers whose race POLITICO identified through publicly-available information, 62 were Black or Latino — a rate in keeping with a city workforce that is 62 percent nonwhite, according to the most recent available data.
88+13+1=102.
Ever the revisionist historian, UFT President Michael Mulgrew accepts no responsibility for the deaths.
“We were one of the last school systems to close down,” United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said. “At the same time, we had more virus in our city, and in our school system, than anywhere else.”
Did Mulgrew ever tell his members to leave COVID-19 infected buildings he knew were infected in early March? No, he even said yes to UFTers going in for three days of useless professional development on March 17-19 as the spread of the first wave of the pandemic in NYC was getting out of control.
The DOE doesn't win any honesty award here either. Back to Politico:
A spokesperson from the Department of Education said the agency deep-cleaned every building each day in advance of in-person staff training sessions in March. Teachers who were sick were advised to stay home.
Maybe not.
Go ahead and say how you are going to stop paying union dues for the hundredth time. I understand the frustration but I am still looking at a different road ahead.
My dream for the new year is for hundreds of you to stand up and win chapter leader and delegate positions this spring to lay the groundwork for teachers to finally vote to oust Mulgrew and his Unity Caucus next year. That threat would impact the UFT much more than a bunch of lone wolves opting out of dues. There is strength in numbers when those people start to organize.
I also hope and pray that since the pandemic rages on, UFTers who feel any building isn't safe will refuse to enter that school or walk out en masse.
My biggest hope for 2021 is that we can all feel safe with an effective vaccine so schools and all of society can move to a better future.
What you you hoping for?
This just in from Mayor Da Lousy:
ReplyDeleteHere’s a look at our daily indicators:
• 219 new hospitalizations
• 3,419 new cases
• 9.41% positivity rate (7-day avg.)
Ahh-- over 9%. Isn't that supposed to trigger something???
LOL. There was an argument last night on the teacher facebook page. Both people agreed the uft isn't great. One felt more strongly. One didn't seem to want to pay dues. After defending paying dues, the other person says "if you are so concerned why don't you get an accommodation like me?" What a jerk. It is ok when you are sitting safely at home. No wonder we get trampled.
ReplyDeletehttps://bongino.com/nycs-de-blasio-celebrates-in-times-square-after-telling-people-not-to-celebrate-in-time-square/
ReplyDeleteSee Link- Mayor to public- "Let them eat cake!"
Thank you Mr mayor. Just because the calendar says it’s a new year doesn’t mean it’s not business as usual—the violence of 2020 continued overnight in #NYC, 5 shootings, 7 victims, including first homicide of 2021 in front of a hotel in Kew Gardens, Queens. 3 people shot, 20 year old DOA. #1010WINS
ReplyDeleteMy wish for 2021 is a year without COVID by a teacher, or a student.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput
TSA Checkpoint travel numbers
I read that fb post. "Just get an accommodation if you are so worried." I can't, you idiot. Easy for her to say as she sits in bed.
ReplyDeleteA 35 year old healthy teacher in El Paso died of Covid. I guess she was told too you only have a 1 percent chance of dying from it.
ReplyDeleteThey did not just die. They were killed by De Blasio, Duomo and Carranza.
ReplyDeleteNegligence and manslaughter charges are appropriate on account of each and everyone who was killed.
I've been reading the posts on Facebook too and it's really troubling. Will teachers be willing to stick their necks out and not report to work, Anon 12:17?
ReplyDeleteLydia and everyone,
ReplyDeleteI was the one arguing with Uft John Kamps and I was the one in the argument last night. My real name is there. I just don't understand the argument. It is clearly unsafe. It is clear that the uft offices, trs, doe are closed. What is the question? It was really interesting how Kamps says we are helping but we can't help. Just like Sill and Amy told me for 2 decades...We agree with you about the open market but we can't help and we can't force principals to hire you. Kamps said we agree but we can't close schools. What are we paying for? For them to agree with us but do nothing?
The other one defended the uft then admitted she is on an accommodation. Easy for you to tell me to risk my life. Teachers are scared to death.
Just read the posts. Who would've thought we would be at 10% and still having this conversation? Oh, the uft is in charge. That must be why.
I know of teachers who got the accommodation who were perfectly healthy. Teachers definitely milked that and took advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteAre you condemning teachers for trying to stay alive 1:05? You do what you gotta do in this fucked up DOE system.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a condescending uft response when told the infection rate is approaching10%??
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing these. Hopefully the politicians do what's right! But if they don't all we can do is make sure that all of the safety measures in schools are in place and being followed as long as schools are open.
Happy New Year looking forward to your update tomorrow. Hopefully we will be followed with a fully remote message from the Governor and Mayor.
Where is muldoo now?we are supposed to close at 9% per cuomo.dead silence, more broken promises.they will trample on us now in every future issue.liars.can you trust liars to tell you a vaccine is safe when they lie about schools being safe and repeatedly lying and breaking promises???not I.no vaccine for me.no reason to trust them.poo pooled it, now pushing it.send in the clowns...oh, they are here already.there ought NOT to be clowns.
ReplyDeleteLet's see if pinnochio noses grow from mildew, diphoneo(unfazio), and comes noses.whose will grow longest and who would pass lie detector tests??
ReplyDeleteJust like the retro, small raises, grade fraud, Danielson, abusive administrators, abusive students, zero discipline code, zero attendance policy...
ReplyDeletePay dues everybody
just put "4justice" in your tag and you are covered.
ReplyDeletehttps://bongino.com/teachers-union-leader-demands-schools-stay-closed-while-vacationing-from-puerto-rico
A few posts ago I stated that I felt safe. My comment was called moronic. I explained in my situation I am separated. I wear all PPE available. I keep my distance. As James correctly stated I lower my odds of getting covid which was my point. The virus will not simply go away.
ReplyDeleteI am not writing now to say I was right or dispute someone else's opinion. Each situation is different. My situation and choices keep me safe in my building. But I also stated in previous posts that I was more worried about this break. It was longer and more people would be moving together. It's obvious that the rising numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.
We need to close the schools a minimum 2 weeks. Allow 14 days of remote and limited movement to play out. See where the numbers go. Most likely up.
I said previously I felt safe. That wasn't political just my own situation. Now I can tell you honestly that I don't. Again honest opinion.
Schools must be closed.
New York elected and reelected this despicable and incompetent person, so what's the complaint?
ReplyDeleteIs that mulgrew or de blasio you refer to? How sad.
ReplyDeleteNew York elected and reelected this despicable and incompetent person, so what's the complaint?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/covid-wards-full-children-first-145710680.html
ReplyDeleteCovid wards 'full of children' for first time in pandemic, warn nurses
Welcome to the new year, same as the old year - but worse. Lots of nasty surprises await the idealistic worker, no matter the position or field.
ReplyDeleteDo not risk your life for DeBlasio, Cuomo or Mulgrew. Capitalism doesn’t work and this year it will fail spectacularly.
4:17...I agree with you.half my day was remote teaching in school and I felt safe with the small numbers of students.But now that I am on quarantine because of a covid positive unmasked student, as much as I love teaching in person, after watching the horrors and consulting with my doc about my health conditions, i decided i need to care for myself.i qualified for remote in Sept but wanted to work in person.the numbers have skyrocketed and the politicians dont care.even if the kids pick it up in school, they come to b.c school and spread it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as that crazy Chicago union leader, shame on her.she is a terrible example.maybe mulgrew is with her and they are shtupping on the beach on our dime.the nerve of her to even boast about it...
As far as the other commenters, idk who voted for our lunatic leaders.not me.
Finally, do we really expect chapter leaders to organize against mulgrew and unity?they are part of the machine, many likely hoping for higher positions.i feel horrible for these sentiments, as my family was union.dad was rep for uft, grandma was shop steward for igwu.it is truly heartbreaking.i was so proud of uft early in my career. I guess I am what some might call a mugged liberal.now I am more right wing.i come from a family of Democrats.i never imagined that as a union worker, I would ever prefer Republican.But the Democrats have gone off the deep end...btw, i hate politics...just rambling...we are in such a hot mess.i wish we just had honest politicians who could be effective.party is unimportant.
So i guess we can get bad like California and sc gun pools will stay open.Mulgrew and our leaders have no conscience.
Ps:can I go find a hot hunk and shtup on the pool deck on doe time!no mask (just kidding!)
ReplyDeletePSS:We can get a group rate on vacation for two weeks since we are owed from last April!haha
ReplyDeleteAbout grade fraud...
ReplyDelete"Beware the man that has nothing to lose, for he has nothing to protect.”
I'm updating my resume. How do you spell I fucking quit?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year James! I wish your wishes for 2021 would come true!
ReplyDeleteWho do you think counts the ballots when we vote for Chapter Leader and Delegate? Everything is rigged and that is why we all keep going in circles! The only action we can take is in our own hands. If we catch COVID-19, and we give it to our family members, we will live with regret our whole life.
Mr. Mulgrew was on the money when he threatened a strike! We are not health care professionals who walk around the school wearing an N95 mask and take breaks when we need to. NYC Public Schools need to be open to serve the underprivileged children and teachers willing to work in school buildings should be given combat pay or extra compensatory time off.
My only wish for the new year is to "Not Catch COVID-19 and never hear about anyone dying from this deadly virus." Nothing matters other than staying healthy. These are unprecedented times, and we need to be extremely cautious this school year even with the new vaccine. It is better to be safe, than sorry! Children have suffered trauma from this pandemic, but imagine the toll it will take on them if they lose a parent, or grandparent!
6:52, Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDelete"Who do you think counts the ballots when we vote for Chapter Leader and Delegate?"
The rules say you can observe the ballot box during voting, the opening of ballot box, and the count. You can get on the election committee too if you are not running for office. Chapter elections should be fair if you are just a bit vigilant.
This goes back to that obvious arbitrary 3% number when the CDC had closures at 5% which to me made more sense. Now the rates are near 10% and they tripled the number to close schools. Been a shit show from our so called leaders even before this pandemic lets be real here. We all know matter what party affiliation they are the absolute worst. Completely prefer to have at least 1 republican as mayor,chancellor or uft head for next election. Our only true hope is in 2 years we have much better leaders here who will have common sense logic.Until then we are going to drive ourselves crazy venting because there are no leaders to truly rely on.
ReplyDeleteIn my former school, elections were rigged.it was obvious from what people voted for and who won.cl was in admin's pocket.uft was called in.nothing changed.didnt know district res were so cozy with admin.welcome to iraq elections.weneed outside observers for our own uft elections.shameful.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, health matters.im gonna try and stay positive cuz stress kills.literally.
"Several reports coming out of the United Kingdom are suggesting that the newest variant of COVID-19 might be more infectious for children."
ReplyDeleteCan someone #AskTheMayor about this?
Hospitals full of children.
ReplyDeletehttps://news.yahoo.com/covid-wards-full-children-first-145710680.html
Any word on vaccine distribution for us?
ReplyDeleteJames or Jeff
ReplyDeleteQuestion...
If a teacher is rated Ineffective where is the rule written down that says s/he is precluded from working per session jobs for two years?
My Ineffective was "vacated and annulled " by the New York State Supreme Court because of the actions of my administration.
Now, I'm slated to appear before the Court and argue for two years of per session.
Couldn't find it in our contract, unless I missed it.
Thanks for your assistance!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
That rule about per session is usually on the vacancy circular. I was once told it is still the decision of the site supervisor.
ReplyDeleteSelection for most per-session activities is based upon the individual selection criteria set out in each posting, which appears on the Department of Education’s website or, if it is for a school-based position, at the school. If the activity you desire is specifically listed in the contract, selection is based upon meeting the posted qualifications and your seniority.
ReplyDeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help. Pleasure working with you this summer, albeit remotely.
Tell Beth hi. Worked with her crafting curriculum in 2015, the passport stuff. She's an angel! Tell her Paddy from Rockaway Beach!
Best,
Paddy Smith
What were the odds that Comrade Bill would screw this up? -- Getting doses to more than 8 million residents could take months and would mark the largest vaccine drive in city history, Mayor Bill de Blasio said https://wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-aims-to-give-1-million-covid-19-vaccines-by-end-of-january-11609592400?reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter via
ReplyDelete@WSJ
Grade fraud?
ReplyDeleteLol.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2021/01/02/nyc-doe-school-issues-fake-report-cards-for-abuse-probe/amp/
Try getting per-session when you're in the ATR. Since I've been an ATR, I've been precluded from a lot of per-session activities. I did, however, get summer school last summer so that made up some of it, but I think it's discriminatory to preclude ATRs from per-session activities.
ReplyDeleteAgreed as far as ATRs and per session activities. I have 19 in (with military time of 3 years bought back), at a cost of $4k.)
ReplyDeleteI know that your pension is based on the FAS. I'm pretty sure it's the best 3 of my last 5 years. 2% of that multiplied by 25 years equals about 50% of salary.
I just want to make certain that because my administration screwed me, my final years aren't out of whack, so I'll take an economic hit for the rest of my life.
That's why I'm following up with a real judge and not the kangaroo proceedings the DOE holds.
https://nypost.com/2021/01/01/london-closing-all-elementary-schools-amid-covid-19-surge/
ReplyDeleteWHAT CAN I ADD THAT HASNT BEEN SAID AD NAUSEUM? Tell shit-for-brains politicians...