Tuesday, August 30, 2022

COLUMBUS, OHIO TEACHERS MAKE REAL GAINS BY STRIKING

I salute the Columbus, Ohio teachers for going on strike. 94% of the teachers voted to go on strike but only 71% voted to accept the agreement negotiated to end it so not everyone was happy with the settlement. I like how they fought for and won better ventilation in their schools and much more.

Here are some of the details of the settlement as reported by WBNS10:

  • A contractual guarantee that all student learning areas will be climate controlled no later than the start of the 2025-2026 school year, including installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in buildings currently without HVAC, and in buildings that currently only have partial HVAC
  • Reductions in class size caps in all grade bands, lowering the number of students in every classroom by two over the course of the contract;
  • The first-ever limitations on the number of buildings assigned to each elementary art, music and P.E. teacher, with scheduling intended for one specialist per subject area per building;
  • The first-ever contractual limitation on the number of CEA positions that can be outsourced to out-of-town corporations, thereby ensuring that our students are educated by experienced professionals from our local community; and
  • A ground-breaking paid parental leave program for our teachers, as well as salary increases for each of the next three years which will help attract and retain the high-quality educators that our students deserve.

You can read the full agreement here.

Thanks to whoever put it out. It is informative. I saw in the Agreement, in addition to what is mentioned above, they won an improved disciplinary process for teachers that includes the ability for teachers to grieve any formal reprimand, some pretty decent wording on academic freedom, not only reduced class size but also a reduction in the number of classes teachers can teach as a maximum load in middle and high schools.

As for salary increases, this is from NBC 4:

The contract gives CEA members a 4% annual raise for the duration of the three-year deal. Reports state that the union was initially seeking an 8% annual raise.

Maybe we should use some of the language from Columbus to give some ideas on gains New York City UFTers can make that won't cost the city much money but are absolutely essential if we are going to get our schools back to some kind of sanity.

The Columbus disciplinary process (see below) won't be totally applicable to us because terminations of tenured pedagogues are covered under NYS law here but what is below certainly would apply to us as a model for bringing back grievances for letters in the file like we had up until 2005 and for a fair disciplinary process for non-tenured people. Take a look. 




98 comments:

  1. Don’t worry, we have a strong union and we pay them handsomely.

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  2. If we had a strong, determined membership, a strong union would soon emerge.

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  3. Don't tell me how NY has the anti-strike provisions of the Taylor Law. Taylor Law reform is long overdue and now it is politically possible to get rid of the anti-strike provisions that a UN agency determined are a human rights violation in this "progressive" state.

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  4. James, Taylor Law reform is long overdue but would it be wise to strike before then? Also, I'm curious what was being offered before they went out on strike, and what they finally agreed on.

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    1. No 12:51, a strike now led by Mulgrew would never happen and would be a disaster if it did. We would need to start building for it. For example, the UFT has a 500 person negotiating committee but no action committee to plan a series of escalating actions and the Contract expires in a couple of weeks.

      Delete
  5. Mulgrew will never call a strike. Even if he did not many would. Quoting the UN means nothing to some of us. Who cares what they think? Not me.

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  6. I would vote to strike but the vote will never happen. Mulgrew has made it clear that he has no balls and is afraid "he will be sent to jail" if he stands up for us. He feared jail during covid concerns. Mulgrew is not a president who puts his members needs before his own. He is here for his huge salary.

    We should strike. What will the city do? Can't fire all of us. There are not enough teachers.
    Mayor would not want more disruption to the school year. He already looks terrible increasing class sizes and taking money AWAY from education.

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  7. 12:20 I. agree. The Taylor law is long overdue for a constitutional challenge.

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  8. Meanwhile, Mulgrew announces a victory-- teachers will work year round with class sizes capped at 100 for a pack of minty gum and a certificate from the mayor printed on very fancy paper.

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  9. Ok 9:04 you can go play with your friends outside in the sandbox now.

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  10. James, that doesn't really answer on whether it would be wise to go on a strike while the Taylor Law is still in place. There are hefty fines for an illegal strike, which of course I don't have to tell you. I remember during COVID you thought people should strike, and even then it wasn't a sure thing if it would hold up but you argued that as a safety issue we would not face repercussions (maybe). On what grounds do you think we legally strike now?

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  11. We need to reform the Taylor Law to take out the 2 days of pay penalty for each day on strike and the hefty penalties for unions that strike. The International Labor Organization found it is a human rights violation as it goes against workers' free association rights. NY is a progressive state with this outlandish anti-labor provision on its books. We have the most progressive State Legislature probably ever today in Albany. We aren't getting Taylor Law reform (not repeal) through because we aren't even trying.

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    1. Lol at reform. You guys can’t even figure out how to vote in a uft election.

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  12. Taylor Law reform would definitely have a lot of support. The other thing is, anytime I hear about a strike, it's always a last minute thing. I worked in a union environment before. I was on the management side at the time but I distinctly remember that these strikes were planned months in advance. The union would encourage people to start tightening their belts, start saving their money, have a plan in place in case it's prolonged. The union had built up a war chest to help people with groceries, and mortgages but it's not as much as anyone thinks and they don't help everyone. It was awful. Even if they wanted to, Management couldn't walk out in support because they'd get fired.

    People can't just walk out on strike. To some it sounds exciting or the thing to do. I'd bet money they're not the sole earner or have young children. It brings real economic hardship if you are the sole provider. You can't even collect unemployment while out on strike. I wouldn't vote to strike, not for the issues that are currently on the table.

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  13. To beat the Taylor Law in its current form I would recommend joining with other unions for combined job actions. The closer government unions came to a general strike, the more power we would obviously have to defy the law and demand that the Taylor Law be reformed (not repealed as there are pro-union provisions in it).

    Don't laugh, because of pattern bargaining (one union settles on a percentage raise and all others basically get the same settlement), all of the municipal unions are basically linked together in bargaining in terms of wage increases and we have already ceded to the Municipal Labor Committee on healthcare.

    If we are going at it alone, then we would need to show how the city is blatantly violating the contract and law so as to force a strike so the Taylor Law strike penalties should be waived.

    I have argued that at the height of the pandemic, there was no way the anti-strike provisions of the Taylor Law were going to be invoked against us. I stand by that. I would argue that they would be used against us in about 2 seconds if we were to engage in a job action today. However, there is safety in numbers.

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  14. For a group that has such union benefits, you don’t sound like things are going too well.

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  15. https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/education/2022/08/29/city-and-union-celebrate-new-teachers-monday

    How are new teachers being hired when so many teachers were excessed?

    Any update on the court case to fund schools?

    Adams is a piece of garbage Banks is no better.

    We need to strike for respect.

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  16. 9:40--
    It was just a lighthearted sarcastic comment about Mulgrew to make people smile.
    I apologize for the attempt to brighten your day.

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  17. So another year of nothing and failure. Dues well spent.

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  18. Sorry 11:51, I thought it was from the troll that always posts saying we shouldn't pay dues.

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    1. Well, you called a person who has an opposing opinion a troll?
      Well done.
      Did you understand his reasoning?? Have you ever had trouble getting assistance from uft for a serious matter, or met anyone else who was wronged by the union?
      Good luck in your echo chamber. But I do wish you to never be in that position.

      Delete
  19. Here's a difference between us and other places. The Columbus union doesn't face a crippling attack on its structure and finances. If we struck they could fine the UFT up the kazoo and they can also take away dues checkoff - just imagine chapter leaders having to go around collecting dues. We may not love our leadership and might revel in some of them having to go back to the classroom, but even if we all took over one day we would find a severely damaged union structure in capable of doing much.
    In 1975 there were fines and loss of checkoff for a year or two -- but the city and state officials recognize Unity is an ally and didn't want to kill them too bad. If it were a militant opposition they would look to hack it to death and hope for a Unity renewal. You'd need a pretty unified strong membership that would not go back until fines were rescinded.

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    1. We add steady have a damaged union structure.

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  20. See what I mean @ 12:12.

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    1. Sorry, but 1212 is right. Look, we are nowhere. Mulgrew admits he can’t even get the city to sit down and discuss a contract during record high inflation. We can’t strike. Teachers in excess. Budget ripped apart. No discipline code. Admin abuse.

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  21. Fighting for climate-controled rooms, capped class sizes, mandatory arts/music/phis.ed. classes is what our dues money should have ALWAYS been spent on. Not on a political party candidates and big pharma lobbyists.
    A union that does not fight for students and members belong in hell. So does the uft.

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  22. All good unions look to strike all the time. and go without contracts for neverending amounts of time and get 1% raises 5 years late.

    I have nothing but a satisfactory/effective record. No charges every against me.

    UFT was completely useless when i asked for help. They actually said, "We can't help you."

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  23. 1:02 yeah, this is James' blog and he has explained his position on dues and asked that it be tabled. So yeah, so you, or whoever it was, are a troll if you keep harping, and baiting, and jabbing, and mocking and taunting.

    No, I haven't had trouble getting assistance from the UFT. In fact, when I had a major issue, I bypassed the bldg rep and asked that a District Rep come in and they obliged. They gave me their time with no problem and they even came to my building for the meeting. The UFT directed me to an attorney who was most helpful. A year later I emailed the same attorney and she replied within hours. I've also been in a situation where I felt they could've done something more, or different. In that case I should've escalated it. I'm not going to denounce the entire union because I didn't get my way.

    Aren't you being insulting by saying I'm in an echo chamber and mocking those of us who pay dues? I think so. I empathize with those who are in difficult situations. I don't mock them, or taunt them, or go "neener, neener, neener" as you do.

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    1. Well, many have to hire a private lawyer. Ask Portelos what he did, for example. Many say uft is useless.

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    2. "No, I haven't had trouble getting assistance from the UFT."
      Thit is your problem: you are unable to recognize the fact that if YOU did not go through hardship where uft has been completely useless and , frankly, treasonous, then it must have not be real. You hysterically proclaiming here how you are able to empathize with ppl in difficult situations simply does not correspond to the personality that comes through via your posts. You are, likely, to be the first one to cast your judgment on the "othered" colleagues.
      Feel free to get insulted. I no longer care about pitiful vial creatures with touchy-feellies.

      Delete
  24. 1:18, what was it that they couldn't help you with? Maybe they weren't completely useless at all. Care to share what it was?

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  25. But they said to give more to COPE. Randi doesn't tweet like a left wing hack quite enough.

    I guess the 3 opt out guys made the uft NOT get a contract, again.

    And made Randi agree to a horrible deal in 2005, before the opt was legal.

    And Mulgrew agree to a horrible deal in 2014, before the opt out was legal.

    For a strong union, you guys sure don't know how to prove it.

    Where is the person who posted yesterday saying that they couldn't wait to quit after a very short time.

    Where is that CL? How about uft MAP? How about the DR or the BR?

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  26. Hochul said it was a huge mistake to have remote learning. Randi endorsed remote learning. Teachers are currently having students do online work, totally and exclusively, so they can do the work and not attend school.

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  27. I'm not the previous poster, but I'll chime in.

    20 years, going into my 21st year, waiting for a Staten Island school. Before people say that I'm the problem, there is nothing in my file or my attendance or my record/observations/rating sheets saying that I have any negative issues.

    I can't even get an interview.

    Sill and Arudell told me "We agree but can't help." I asked them to enforce the hardship travel clause in the contract, they refused.

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  28. I’m not the previous poster but I’ll chime in.

    Waiting for a Staten Island school for 20 years.

    There is nothing in my file/record/rating sheets/observations/attendance that would be negative.

    Sill and Arundell said “We agree but we can’t help.” They also refused to grieve and use the hardship travel clause already in the contract.

    I can’t even get an interview. Ever.

    Yes, in addition to applying on the OM, I email resume directly to principals.

    No response. Jobs open. Jobs close.

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    1. Sill is of no help. Before the pandemic I requested his help with due to an issue with OM. A principal who was hiring me was new and didn't correctly do his part on his end. I called Sill and spoke toy district rep. Nothing was done. I had a conversation with the old principal and secured my own transfer. Going in person to speak cordially was seen as too aggressive per Sill's words.

      Delete
  29. Yes 146. They also gave up bumping, which completely fucked senior people.

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  30. 1:46 waiting 20 years? How would that work, that you would wait for it? I've heard about the hardship travel but noone has ever said how it would be applied. I would have continued escalating and not just spoken to "Sill and Arundel". I'm not even sure how they would grieve something like that. I've tried to leave my current school a few times and I think that only once did my interview come from open market. Usually it's from networking, reaching out to Principals, sometimes people transfer when they make a good impression during a summer job, they follow up on an open market application. It's not a huge window for doing that because it's hard to do while school is still in session, and if you have a summer job that's another thing. Maybe you've done all of that but I know that even before I came to work for the DOE securing interviews and actually transferring can take a lot more work than people expect. But if it's something already in the contract under hardship travel then I'd be curious how they would actually help facilitate that and what the UFT can actually do to fix it.

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    1. They would grieve and make sure it happened. They wouldn’t.

      I’ve done all you mentioned. There was always the friend of someone or your salary is too high or the principal kept rotating ATRs so she wouldn’t have a salary on the budget.

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  31. Bloomberg legacy still in effect: screw the veteran teachers.
    $ $ $

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  32. "Teachers are currently having students do online work, totally and exclusively, so they can do the work and not attend school."

    then why are teachers complaining that students never come to school and that they're forced to pass them even if they don't attend?

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  33. They're supposed to grieve it with the new Principal who had an opening? I don't know if that would be the best way to get into a new school. Obviously that part of the contract has to be changed also. It's clearly not working.

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  34. p.s. that's frustrating but not something that I would say the UFT Reps are ineffective and useless. They probably don't have good direction on what to actually do in those cases. Sounds like something above their pay grade, and that's why it may not be a bad idea to keep escalating it, but I suppose a grievance would be the first step. Doesn't sound like a very good plan though. I wouldn't want to create a hostile situation going into a new school, no fault of your own.

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  35. We need a 6% increase and a 10% increase to make up for the impact of the decrease in our earning power due to the high inflation years of 2021 and 2022. The social security COLA for 2022 was 5.9% and is expected to be close to 10% for 2023. The combined inflation of these two years is 16%. It is worth going on strike for these fair wage increases. I would like to believe that the UFT teachers are not cowards.

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  36. Mulgrew is in it for his $400,000 per year salary and all of the perks, especially ordering take out on the UFT expense account every day.
    What do you not understand about Mulgrew? You voted for him.

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  37. So, the current contract expires at the end of September. In the old days, Shanker and other city union chiefs would not be shy in asking members to strike assuming there was little or no progress with negotiations..This happened several times back in the 60’s and early 70’s —except the for police and fire departments. There was a 2 month teacher strike in 1968-along with transit and sanitation work stoppages..Union heads were jailed. John Q Public in New York City got sick of that whole scene along with several hardships This resulted in the Taylor Law—and it kicked in with the 1975 teachers strike and there were penalties. I doubt if the current UFT teachers—have the same guts from the ones from 40 or 50 years ago. All you will have are early morning picketing outside the schools. So good luck with any changes with the Taylor Law despite claims of human right violations. The general public reject are not even aware of that resolution and they simply doesn’t give a hoot about the hardships of the UFT—they just want their children in school—just like they want interruptions with mass transit and garbage collections.
    So in 2022–how much leverage does the UFT have when it comes to public support if there were threats of a strike or job actions. Local politicians whether it be progressive. moderate, conservative, Democratic or Republican—would run for cover from their own constituents and it would be interesting to see how much they really stand behind the UFT—because many schools are professional day care centers from 8am to 6pm.Also, this would also give Adams an excuse to push for the more non-unionized Charters and the Archdiocese to promote their own schools.
    As for a new contract—expect long delays —along with the usual retroactive pay raises. And when it gets to that point—Mulgrew will convince the majority of the union to ratify—even with certain trade offs for higher salary—which will include a longer day. A strike should only happen if the situation between for working conditions got so dire. And —if talks break down—expect arbitration.

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  38. But I thought they were better than nothing. Isn’t that the deflection to prove their worth?

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  39. I have a similar issue about the uft and OMT. I went to the Borough office in 3 different boroughs for help. None could be found.

    I was an atr due to a closing school. No
    negative ratings.
    I was force placed in a school in Brooklyn with a very vindictive principal and a very young and untenured staff, I understand that’s the rule.

    It was a 1 year provisional hire. Of course, I got a good rating, so then I was locked in. The signed provisional contract said nothing about that.

    I went to the uft, told them about the voided contract, the open market issues and the hardship travel not being enforced. The guy acted like he was helping, said he would call Sill, left a message in front of me, etc. I sent email after email, the uft just pretended I didn’t exist snd Sill finally gave the “we can’t help you” line.

    I’ve been going over the bridge for decades.

    Also, another thing I paid for via dues was the pension consultation. Got completely incorrect info. I did email Amy after and she asked for the name of the rep.

    Yeah, useless.

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  40. 4:14 do you pay dues, are you retired? Easy to anonymously call teachers cowards for not illegally striking when we don't know if you're even emmployed as a teacher. Keep dreaming on that 16% raise. You'll be waiting a long time as the students get swiftly moved online.

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  41. The last 2 contracts

    7 and a half years=10%
    44 months=7.5%

    About 11 years=17.5%

    1.5% annually.

    But they are so good at what they do. But we are gonna get 8% per year now because of inflation. Oh, ok.

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  42. 8.25 to 7% so smart. These baby 2% raises is a joke. 20 years no guaranteed pension. DOE married couples having to split paternity leaves. Clown show union. Like insurance it's a fraud you think helps you.

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  43. Oh, and absolutely no precautions for covid or monkeypox. Leadership at the uft.

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  44. Sorry, I totally misread the post about visiting the borough office. The hardship travel sounds like something that's at Mulgrew's level, as far as having the language changed in the contract because it's not very clear how it would be enforced. There's not a whole lot of information in the contract about it and it leaves the final decision to the DOE so the grievance would be against them. It's not up to an individual Principal to make that decision:

    "In addition to the vacancies available for transfer pursuant to Section A of this Article, transfers on grounds of hardship shall be allowed in accordance with the following:

    Transfers of teachers after three years of service on regular appointment may be made on grounds of hardship on the basis of the circumstances of each particular case, except that travel time by public transportation of more than one hour and thirty minutes each way between a teacher's home (or City line in the case of a teacher residing outside the City) and school shall be deemed to constitute a "hardship" entitling the applicant to a transfer to a school to be designated by the Division of Human Resources which shall be within one hour and thirty minutes travel time by public transportation from the teacher's home, or City line in the case of a teacher residing outside the City."

    "Hardship transfers are available for travel and for health reasons. All hardship transfers are discretionary, and the DOE makes the final determination. You should obtain as much documentation as possible to support your need for hardship transfer. See your chapter leader for the specific requirements regarding each of these transfers."

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    1. I actually did consult a private lawyer. He said the doe would just “dump” me in the worst school possible within 90 minutes away. (Probably the full 90 minutes away)

      The point is the uft abandoned me.

      The other point is that it shouldn’t be impossible, for 20 years, to get a Staten Island job.

      Delete
  45. The democrats have no incentive to change the Taylor Law. They like the power they have over teachers and know blue no matter who means they can spit in our faces whenever they want. We’re getting an inflation pay cut in the next contract. But the good news is democrats will still get the teacher vote. Big win for Mulgrew and his masters. Another loser of a contract for teachers. Leverage is not in NY teachers’ vocabulary.

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  46. If you put money in the TDA fixed you get 7% a year interest and if you've done that for many years your TDA is way ahead of inflation. If you took 10% of your salary to do that at least you are getting ahead on part of your salary.

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  47. Has nothing to do with getting screwed every contract.

    And the TDA isn’t even monthly compounding, it’s yearly compounding.

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  48. 11:01 I asked once before but no one responded. Do you think selecting fixed is the best choice? Thanks

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  49. Long term the market outperform fixed. After the 2000 crash I went all fixed and even if my TDA might be worth more if I remained in variable, I have no regrets. Fixed is safe and stable. It's a gift. Look at market history and there have been long term downturns. Like a major depression. If you hit it at the wrong time it can be bad. But you could hedge your bets. DO 50-50 and as you get close to retirement go heavier on fixed.

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  50. 12:44 Not a financial advisor by any means but imho…. Guaranteed 7% safe investment in my opinion is the best choice. Sure the market can beat that but the market can also suck for a decade. Not sweating my S&P fund that’s down 20% now because 75% of my retirement savings in tda fixed. The other 25% is invested outside of TRS. Others with a higher risk tolerance might disagree with me. 7% isn’t beating inflation now. Another consideration is if inflation doesn’t go down that 7% isn’t that good.

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  51. "And the TDA isn’t even monthly compounding, it’s yearly compounding."
    Always a whine.
    Go out and get 7% guaranteed yearly compounding and let us know.
    Are they stealing off the top? Probably. I just don't see how in the climate of the past low interest rates we can still be getting 7%. Where is it coming from?

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    1. I found it. I got 8.25% until the uft gave it up.

      Delete
  52. There is a lot of misinformation in this:
    "In the old days, Shanker and other city union chiefs would not be shy in asking members to strike assuming there was little or no progress with negotiations..This happened several times back in the 60’s and early 70’s —except the for police and fire departments. There was a 2 month teacher strike in 1968-along with transit and sanitation work stoppages..Union heads were jailed."
    We had no contract no work and the 1967 strike only was on the contract.
    1968 strike was about community control, not contract.
    1975 strike was over massive breaking of contract and 15k layoffs. Shanker went to jail I think for a bit but then settled things by using our pension funds to bail out the city. We all got two for one penalties for the strike.
    You would have been screaming sellout at him like we did.
    Union lost dues checkoff for a year or so but it took years to implement due to a court case. UFT had to cut staff due to dues shortfall.

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  53. Really up to you.

    If you want no risk, do the 7%.

    Historically, stocks do better on average, but you have to be consider possible losses and how close to needing the money you are at all times.

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  54. Thanks on the TDA info, y'all. Gave me something to think about.

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  55. 2 things can be true.

    7% is good.

    The fact that we lost 1.25% and never got it back sucks.

    Monthly vs yearly compounding is a big difference. We lose there also.

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  56. Somebody get the disinfectant or the bug spray, 4:38 is in the building.

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  57. 4:38 tsk, tsk, projecting again. You are on here regularly disparaging people of color, gays, trans, liberals, so I think the award for being the first one to cast judgment on the "othered" would go to you. Nice try tho.

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  58. You sound unhinged @4:38.

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  59. 8:53. You're mistaken. It's anonymous at 8:28 that always disparages poc and gays not 4:38. Yours truly @2:17.

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  60. Look at 1:26 pretending to be "woke" again, just as he does in the workplace when trying to hide under his Admin's skirt. A fake and a fraud.

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  61. We are not time stamps, we are people, and masters of time.

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  62. The "othered" colleagues 4:38 refers to are the teachers who didn't get the vaccines. Everyone else is a nazi sympathizer for not working to get them back on the job, even though he couldn't come up with one thing he did to get them back on the job. Not an email, not a phone call, not even a question at the town hall. Hahahaha. Comes on every thread and craps all over it. It's all he knows and that's why he comes here and whines about the students and all the failures in his classroom.

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  63. Coward alert @ 1:26. Likes hiding behind other people's skirts. You're not as anonymous as you think you are.

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  64. 1:45 everyone is anonymous so it's hard to tell who is being responded to without a timestamp. Depends on your technology. On the phone the reply falls right underneath whoever you're responding to. On some computers it doesn't. They just go right to the bottom of the page. So unless people use a specific name, it's a timestamp.

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    1. No I totally get it, but the pointed responses are garbage. Everyone should just put in their two cents, and stop insulting each other. Jesus. Those who are intelligent can see who is building on who or undermining. The insults are just waste, distraction, harassment and escalation, and more waste.

      Delete
  65. 1:42 is a response to @1:26.

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  66. LMAO @ "vial". I hadn't caught it on the first post. Another one of NYC's finest English teachers.

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  67. Oh "waaah" 438. Grown folks were talking, stop acting like a pouty five year old.

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  68. I am going to keep requesting this:
    Everyone make up a fake name (like I did) to use with every post.
    Before your publish, click Name/URL
    Write the name.
    Leave URL blank.

    This anonymous time stamp confusion is ridiculous.

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  69. Dawkins: Your suggestion is completely unnecessary. 142 144 148 158 clearly have every Anonymous identified and it’s just one person.
    142, 144, 148, 158: The troll thanks you for feeding him. He’ll be back tomorrow when he’s hungry again. Your continued maturity and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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  70. You poor pathetic thing @ 6:18. The blog was functioning just fine and having productive discussions until the *vile* troll at 4:38 came in snarling with this:

    "No, I haven't had trouble getting assistance from the UFT."
    Thit is your problem: you are unable to recognize the fact that if YOU did not go through hardship where uft has been completely useless and , frankly, treasonous, then it must have not be real. You hysterically proclaiming here how you are able to empathize with ppl in difficult situations simply does not correspond to the personality that comes through via your posts. You are, likely, to be the first one to cast your judgment on the "othered" colleagues.
    Feel free to get insulted. I no longer care about pitiful vial creatures with touchy-feellies.

    Wednesday, August 31, 2022 4:38:00 PM
    -----------------------------------------

    Seems to me that if you are going to go out of your way to bait and insult people you shouldn't be too surprised when you are insulted right back. You're just mad because you get smacked down much worse. But there you are still the victim, just as you are ALWAYS playing victim across many threads.

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  71. The troll @ 6:18 and 4:38 would never use a moniker because they prefer pretending they didn't say things that they surely did (like calling teachers nazi sympathizers and good germans then going around in desperation trying to get people to look it up and see it his way). They're the only one on the board crying and weeping at not being supported in one way or another. It's one thing to be frustrated at UFT, quite another to be have such a meltdown because other teachers won't walk out on his behalf. The resident crybaby, they'd like everyone to think there are many crybabies on this blog. Nope, just you fool @6:18 and 4:38, and 1:26 too. Yep. You leave a stench everywhere you go, including your classroom. I should jeopardize my livelihood for the likes of you? Bwahahahahah. I would never.

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  72. Folks, folks, folks. Stop wasting your time. If there weren’t all this garbage, you seriously wouldn’t need time
    stamps. And if we are anonymous, we’re anonymous. Stop making this personal. It’s clear what’s being supported and what’s being countered. No need to try to go after each other.

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  73. Timestamps are the least of the problems on this blog. lol

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  74. Troll belly full again. Thank you. Troll sated once again. “Poor thing” commentary especially delicious. More tomorrow please. Thanking you in advance for your continued maturity and cooperation.

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  75. Are you ok 2:23? Maybe get some help with the UFT mental health hotline before classes start. You shouldn't take that into the schools.

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  76. Troll says “Get some help” not as tasty as “poor thing.” Respectfully requesting you take it off the menu. Thanking you in advance for your continued maturity and cooperation.

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  77. 625 seriously you sound like you're imploding. You admitted you're a troll while calling someone else a troll and thinking it's the same person saying both things? Hopefully you're typing this from the psychiatric ward. Let your aide know its time for a diaper change. Lol

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  78. 6:25am, aka 4:38, 6:18. Hahaha first thing in the morning thinking about the blog. Others send good morning wishes to friends and family, and 4:38 comes in to crap on the blog. At least he's consistent. Pressed, pressed, pressed, pressed, pressed (Cardi b) like a Panini. LMAO.

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  79. Jersey Jazzman
    The NY Times set up 9 slots for guest essays on the topic "What Is School For?" They didn't think to give one of those slots to an actual teacher.

    But economists got 2.

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  80. ICYMI (In case you missed it)
    https://www.newsweek.com/school-district-urges-parents-house-teachers-amid-shortage-1739009?amp=1

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  81. The troll gets you to respond with nonsense every time. That’s the point of trolling in case you didn’t know.

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  82. There are all types of trolls. Some wont converse at all.. The two bit troll on this blog just likes getting the first and last word on their insults and lies. Trolls will also say "I can get you to respond" even while they're responding themselves. Lol. Its funny.

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