Wednesday, September 14, 2022

LIVE BLOGGING FROM CHAPTER LEADER MEETING

Michael Mulgrew started by calling for a moment of silence for three UFT activists who recently passed on.

Mulgrew Report

It isn't a DA. Class size legislation passed on the day the Queen passed so it was nowhere on the news. Class size bill has been a goal of the UFT for over 50 years. Paid Parental Leave was something we wanted for decades also. 25 years ago a court ruled the children of NYC were not receiving a sound basic education and class size was one of the reasons. That court case took 17 years. Legislature had to do it. Governor Pataki didn't want to do it. He didn't want to send more money to NYC. Legislature wanted to include other needy districts. Governor who settled this was Elliot Spitzer. He didn't last much longer after settling it with Legislature. Money was supposed to be phased in. Governor David Patterson said there was no way there was no money for Contracts for Excellence in 2009. Legislature finally funded Contracts for Excellence now called Foundation Aid that Governor Hochul signed. She said it was an obligation to the children. City said no to smaller class sizes from this state aid. Bloomberg never put money in. He wanted classes of fifty which he had so he has social-emotional issues. DOE doesn't want to take this work on. They want to put schools on their own. If class sizes are maximized, it increases central DOE budget. We had a big fight last year with City Council on class size but when state finally fulfilled its financial obligation, we went back to what the court said about how class size was part of a sound basic education. Bill on class size passed overwhelmingly in both houses. City said it can't be done. Governor looked at it. We gave her the information. We have the funding, we need the lower clas size to force the DOE to do it. Governor added an extra year onto the implementation. It is now the law of New York State to reduce NYC class sizes starting next year. Planning starts now. 20% of classrooms must meet the 20 K-3, 23 4-8 and 25 in high schools. It is not about moving children out, it's about building more seats, not forcing people to move. Used parents to say they would limit specialized high schools. Either build more schools or make specialized schools bigger. It is political to build schools. Parents and teacher make noise and new schools are built. Francis Lewis High School got an annex built. They should have had this done 15 years ago. Class size legislation will be a long process. There are waivers. For example, if a schools only has one physics teacher, they will get a waiver. They need to recruit more physics teachers. HR Connect telling people after waiting on hold to call the union. This will change the face of the Union forever. Ten years from now these lower class sizes will be the norm. Thanks for what people did to make this happen. This is historic legislation.

Contract

Notice that the contract expired yesterday. 98% of workers who work for NYC are without a contract. Legal department sent notification to the city. Process of scheduling first official negotiating session is going on. First negotiation will be in October. Probably in the afternoon. Trying to get over 500 people from negotiating committee to attend the first session so the city sees all of you. 

New hires

City made new hires wait outside in heat before entering new hires meeting. Chapter leaders need to make new UFTers feel welcome. Make them feel at home. They have phenomenal energy.

Safety

Borough response teams will be conduits. Protocols are changed. Everyone has a citywide radio. Not all have an NYPD radio. City has challenges. We want problems to be outside of schools. Jeff will send out more information. We need to do basics with a locked front door and a buzzer in every building. They have them around the country but not NYC.

Healthcare

Many unions getting raises but increased health premiums are eating away at increases. Teachers and other essential workers are in short supply. Paychecks not going up because of increases in healthcare costs. We are looking to keep a premium-free system for retirees and in service members. 13% increase in healthcare not sustainable. Record profits for insurance companies, pharmaceutical and others. We will have an in-service committee. $600 to take a temperature is real. Too many going to emergency rooms so we put a $500 copay on emergency room visits by setting up urgent care centers. Now they are raising rates for urgent care centers. That is a fight we are in. We need federal intervention.

Teacher's Choice

It is the same amout as last year. 

Accommodations

It is a mess. Those who have immune suppression issues still can get COVID accommodations. DOE on Friday before school left it to principals. Principals relying on DOE legal asked if people can do jobs. We are trying to get this rectified. 

All should get paid to set up digital classrooms. That has been negotiated.

DOE restructuring

It was supposed to be done in May, June and July. It didn't get done. It got done a little in August. They still haven't gotten it fully done. DOE still moving people around. Some palace intrigue still going on. Many still think the school is at the bottom of the food chain. We are pushing to make sure the school is at the top. Superintendents are in charge. They should fully support schools. They will fix special ed compliance issues. Consultations with principals is important. Are they trying to solve problems or cover their butts? 

It is tough to live out there. Members deserve a real raise. Nurses applauded two years ago; we were applauded. Now it is back to normal. We have to reach out to members to connect with them. We are more than an insurance policy. Between District Reps and Borough Reps and Field Reps working on ideas. Contract will be a big fight. Record reserves but mayor says we are going to fall off a financial cliff next week. City doesn't work without its employees like sanitation, us and the rest.

Making Strides

Wear pink to support this. Large crowd on Labor day. Mulgrew will scream and get arrested but we need to harness member passion. Parents and members like their schools. Problems are from the DOE. We have been there for children of NYC. Classrooms, guidance offices, nurse's offices are where work is going on. We have to go forward. 

Questions

Question on Class size: What are prek and 3K numbers?

Mulgrew answer: 15 for 3K and 18 for prek is already covered under state law.

Question: I Ready has lesson plans. Can I tell principal that is my lesson plan?

Answer: As long as it is applicable to what you are doing, what is the problem? Administration should be concerned with what you are actually doing. If you are teaching from the book they gave you, it should be alright.

Question: District 75 class sizes, are they covered by legislation?

Answer: They are already covered on class sizes. D75 should not be displaced to lower general ed classes. Law prioritizes greatest needs first. First 20% must be neediest kids.  60% could have met it by last year. We are not hurting students. 

Question: Principal removed last year who didn't do all of the observations for teachers. Was told teachers who didn't get observed would get S or U. Veteran teachers who didn't get observed, how many observations will they have to do this year? What about untenured people?

Answer: Many schools didn't do MOSLS. Small number, greater this year, who didn't do observations. Email Leroy Barr. Teachers did their job. If administrators didn't do their job, Contractual and policy issues. Tenure question is on law. For veterans, it is contractual question. We will get back to you after we do consultation with Chancellor on Monday.

Question: Senior members who got lump sum payments from last contract worried about getting big tax bill for retro checks?

Answer: Taylor Law takes away our ability to strike. A strike voids our contract. We don't like that and want the 2 days penalty for every day out on strike. Taylor law also keeps expired contract in place after it expires. We like that. Step and longevity increases stay in place. We knew under Bloomberg we would not have a contract for five years because Bloomberg wanted to make everyone an at-will employee. I do not believe it will take five years now. De Blasio came in when there were no reserves. This administration has largest reserve. We worked with de Blasio to figure it out. I don't expect it will be five years. Hopefully, everyone will get their retro money without an undue tax burden.

Question: Testing coordinator got a great deal of testing material. Is there a push to assign testing for MOSL's? Screens.

Answer: Baseline screenings are being done everywhere. We told DOE they are not part of the MOSL If they are trying to figure out where a student is, then it shouldn't be part of an accountability framework. We need to get together on MOSL. Many new people. The opening was quiet. We will get out different MOSLs to find out what is best for your school. We are fine with them baselining but it shouldn't be part of accountability system because it skews numbers like with special ed compliance.

Question: What is going on  with GAMA (grading, messaging attendance system) that does not work and will not work for a couple of years?

Answer: They have been building this for five years. Remember Schedula which was created by a group of teachers from South Brooklyn which people didn't like when it was sent out. Nothing should take five years to develop. They are creating stuff with ancient computer system that doesn't work. VP Hinds and VP Gordon should collect information on this.

Question: Trying to build a union in school with Professional Development Committee, we need PD for Gama. Principal said it is student engagement and nothing else and he wouldn't listen to us.

Answer: We know your school and ding dong company is coming. Did they propose PD on student achievement? Answer is no and Mulgrew responds that there will be multiple visits. Janella Hinds is informed to get in touch with this CL to talk about relevance. Teachers want to teach and have paperwork and PD that are relevant. This is across the country. CL says we will work to rule if we don't get PD. Mulgrew says we need relevant PD. You will be getting visitors before Friday.

Question: September Parent Conference tomorrow, it is the first full week of school. Some staffers don't have access to DOE accounts. Can we let DOE know it is a little early to have Parent Teacher Conferences?

Answer: We need to have those things in place to have meaningful interactions with parents. We will advocate on your behalf.

Question: New CL having a baby when Mulgrew came to school last year (Mulgrew congratulates her and family), morale low. Principal denied personal business day and said take a vacation day. Can he do this?

Answer: No and contact Mike Sill.

Question on negotiations

Answer: We deal with city Office of Management and Budget. They always say there is no money. One other union is about to start negotiations. Parents still like teachers. We will go from there.


(Sorry folks, I have another appointment and have to leave for the last ten minutes. Please help me get updated information.)

61 comments:

  1. Mr. Mulgrew,

    We need and want Medicare for All. Not your Medicare Shitcare Advantage
    crappy plan. Stop sucking Mayor Adams cock. You sucked Bill de Blasio's cock for way too many years.

    ReplyDelete
  2. There's the answer...It won't take 5 years for a new deal. Until then, tough luck with no raise. We can't fight the Taylor Law.

    Now give me the pro union and pay dues lines.

    ReplyDelete
  3. American Life Expectancy Drops Below Most Advanced Nations as Opposition to Medicare for All is Killing us - and the UFT is helping

    from Ed Notes Online Blog https://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/

    The UFT is helping to kill us all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @5:43 PM

    It will take much longer than 5 years to get a new contract with
    cost of living increases that keep pace with inflation.

    Mulgrew has lost his mind , his morals and his credibility.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your UFT chapter leaders and delegates need to hear and feel your anger toward the UFT.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 6:19, what would that accomplish?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing. If you won’t opt out or walk out, just wait until Mulgrew accepts the scraps. And enjoy it.

      Delete
    2. I'd like more but my 140k, and summers off is not scraps.

      Delete
    3. It would allow other ppl hear and see that they are not the only ones against him, that they will not be canceled, that they actually do have a voice that matters and they can form alliances.
      You, surely, do not expect the things to get better right away when we are up against the corruption that has been building up for decades.
      Look where doing and saying nothing has brought us!

      Delete
  7. Seems like Mulgoon thinks a contract will not take 5 years to happen. Translation: Get ready for a sellout contract due to the fact that he will not fight for anything. He's gonna come back at us with zero and 1% raises and say, "It's the best we can get from this administration". Oh yeah, I find it insulting that he is saying that the UFT has been fighting class sizes for years. That is total bullshit. It was parents who brought up the class size lawsuit in the first place. He is a total looser.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How can tell when Mulgrew is lying?
    Answer: Whenever his lips are moving and he is talking.

    Don't trust anything Mulgrew says.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You missed the Labor Law Lunch question? Lunch starts at 11

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Mulgrew,

    We can’t afford food. We can’t wait.

    https://nypost.com/2022/09/14/americans-struggling-under-biden-inflation/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teachers can not afford food? Seriously?!?
      Maybe those teachers who were fired in the past year "under a heart-felt leadership" of Mildew.
      Should have all stood up last year and said "No" when they took advantage of our naiveté pushing their stupid medical agendas and marxists' theories of division.

      Delete
  11. The union has no remedy if the city just stalls and doesnt agree to a new contract because the union isnt brave enough to strike. A real union leader would take jail time if need be to ensure their members get paid. Union members just need to strike for 1 or 2 days to cause havoc and the city will pay what they deserve. Remeber, the raise needs to be indexed to the CPI from 2022 in order to cover our cost of living. The city will try to delay until inflation cools and then just give a meaningless 2% raise.
    2021 CPI 4.7%
    2022 CPI so far 8.3%
    Total (1.047 x 1.083 - 1 =)13.4% minimum raise in just year 1 of the contract. We can accept nothing less. It should also include a CPI index based raise for years 2, 3 and 4 because inflation is unpredictable and out of control.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s not going to cool. Clueless joe will get
      Re-elected because he’s an expert at being a politician. full recession is coming start saving your nickels and dimes my friends. They have money to forgive all those rich white kids student loans but nothing for the teachers. The worst is yet to come but don’t worry joe is going to save us.

      Delete
  12. Adams and Banks will try to guilt us the way Giuliani did after 9/11. Giuliani said how can teachers ask for a raise after how our city just suffered a tragedy. Adams and Banks will say if you want a raise, we'll have to cut programs that help our students. So you mean selfish teachers will get your money but take away from our students.

    ReplyDelete
  13. We’re still going to vote for Adams in 2025, right? I mean assuming it’s him vs the Republican. No way we don’t vote blue no matter who even if we still don’t have a contract. That’s still the UFT position isn’t it? That’s been our winning strategy why change it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are a sanctuary city.

      https://t.co/z7QfRUZhi4

      Delete
    2. Right!
      Brains are overpriced when all a lemming needs to do is follow the hurd.

      Delete
  14. strike isn't the only type of response we do a lot of extra things that we can stop doing without formally going on strike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We Can impeach him.
      Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!
      Is there a fraction withing the UFT that has the guts to stir it up?

      Delete
  15. What about this ingenious "inflation reduction act"

    If teachers who were not vaccinated called the cities bluff and didn't do it they would have backed down from it. Hundreds of thousands buyers remorse with these so called vaccines. Same for this stupid taylor law. If we didn't come in for 2 days the city would be feeling the heat. Too many sheep here who just talk on computer with no action.

    ReplyDelete
  16. When did you walk out at 11:30? You were fired for not vaccinating?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The answer is obvious.
      And the statement is on point.
      Members who stayed, and did nothing about the illigal mandate in October'21 made their own bed.

      Delete
  17. 1 or 2 days is a vacation. You'd need at least 2 weeks out

    ReplyDelete
  18. I met Curtis Sliwa when he was running for Mayor. I asked him if he would be a friend to teachers. He said yes. He also said he would cut all the bloat at the DOE. The UFT should have endorsed him Oh yeah, hows the crime these days?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Horse crap. If he truly believed that, he would have said it during the campaign.

      Delete
    2. Almost anyone would have said the same

      Delete
    3. Why listen to what he has to say people vote for someone because they check the right boxes.
      African American…. Check
      Democrat……check
      What else do they look for?
      Come on guys you know what’s going on
      Tim Scott all the way in 2024

      Delete
    4. 2:19, Tim Scott in nyc? Hah?

      Delete
    5. I believe 2024 is a presidential election year. Tim Scott all the way. Thanks for playing my friend

      Delete
    6. The only reason Tim Scott would run in 2024 is to help Dems. win.

      Delete
  19. Wish we could get the 8.25% on fixed back

    ReplyDelete
  20. I vote for a strike! Yes, I get 2 days docked for 1. We can shut the city down. We are the babysitters as evidenced by the need for in person teaching.


    STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE!!

    HAVEN'T WE LEARNED that doing nothing gets us nothing??

    Show some balls let's demand a contract now. We worked through a pandemic, got forced vax and now no contract! Fuck Mulgrew, Adams and Banks.

    STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not compelling. No basis in urgency or irreparable harm.

      Delete
    2. Strike? After the reputation teachers created for themselves these two years? Especially after so much progressive CRAP has been taught at schools? We are lucky we still have kids from the Texas busses to attend nyc schools!
      I am a parent, and I am thankful my kids do not have to be in nyc schools! After this last week exposure of crazy teachers and APs?!
      I agree with taking action on RECALLING Mildew. I think it is the only way to redeem the membership, and save face in front of nyc parents.

      Delete
  21. Parents like teachers—in most cases- yes. But see what happens if there is a strike or some sort of job action after 2 plus years of the disruptive pandemic.
    And anon 12:42 -I also met Sliwa a few times in Canarsie where he grew up and he has always been a publicity hound. Adams could hire Sliwa as a special consultant on crime—especially with mass transit.
    But when it comes to education—just because he might help his kids do some homework—just like every politician, he has no clue on what it’s like to be teacher in 2022.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes indeed Anon 3:45–your comment reminds me of Aaron Hicks, Joey Gallo and all those terrible hitters in baseball these days.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Keep getting shit on by the democrats you put in office after they already repeatedly shit on you and expect them not to shit on you next time reveals your insanity. We are going to take a big inflation pay cut. Some of us might get a 10k bonus from student debt relief. Other than that it’s scraps. But don’t worry. You get to vote for it again real soon…. and still pay over $1600 a year to Mulgrew!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I agree with the strike. That is what teachers in other states and Chicago did and won. Sometimes you have to make waves if you want the tide to change.

    ReplyDelete
  25. James, please, pay the tribute to the three uft activists who recently passed away.
    You gonna make ppl think they passed away from the vaccine, if you keep their names secret.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Notice how we aren't referred to as "essential workers" anymore. That would help our case and other unions for a raise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were never counted as essential workers.
      Only essential voters.

      Delete
  27. We’re never going to strike. NYC teachers are sheep who pay dues to a union that laughs at how weak and gullible the sheep are. Sure there are some exceptions but for the most part all you hear from nyc teachers is “yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.” Accepting mandates just further demonstrated that nyc teachers are sheep that will continue to be sheared and slaughtered. They’re not going to give us anything decent because they know they don’t have to. Teachers will still do more than what’s in their job description, be abused by administrations who in the rare case of being removed are given another cushy city job, be abused by students who suffer no consequences, vote for the democrat, vote for Unity and pay dues. This is why the laugh at us. We have no leverage. They know it. This isn’t rocket science. The Democrats own the union bosses and the union bosses own the sheep. You’ll do as your told and vote them all back in again. I made my peace by learning how to play the woke fools running my school. Make your peace somehow because the democrats own the people who own our profession and nothing is going to change because teachers keep voting them in.

    ReplyDelete
  28. https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/9/16/23357144/chronic-absenteeism-pandemic-nyc-school

    LOL. 18 days per year is chronic. ALL of my students exceed that in the first marking period.

    ReplyDelete
  29. 3:35 how are you still working if you didn't accept the mandate? You're a sheep who continues to be sheared and slaughtered?

    ReplyDelete
  30. You don't think highly of yourself, or your profession at all @3:35. Not even a little bit. You're very disrespectful towards teachers. Is that your idea of showing unity with your fellow union members, dragging them through the mud?

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am in full support of 3:35.
    Some of us do not like it, find it disrespectful...really?
    You do not find disrespectful everything the uft and doe sent your way last year, but you find someone who pointed all of that out offensive?
    You, ppl are f-ked up.

    ReplyDelete
  32. My self esteem is fine, 7:53. Thanks for your concern.
    7:14 I’m guessing you’ve never found a way to beat the system.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find ways to work around the system, what you're talking about sounds like fraud. So no, I don't commit fraud. Not that I believe it. You probably took the shot like mosr people. Either way, fraud or not, makes you a hypocrite to criticize people who took the shot to keep their jobs.

      Delete
  33. I hate to agree with @3:35 but he/she is unfortunately correct in some of the comments they have made.

    I do disagree with the vaccine comment and paying dues. I still stick with James's approach of "No Union is worse than a poor one".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 7:29 bashing other teachers is never ok, especially when they admit they also kept their job by telling DOE they were vaccinated whether it was fraud or not. They let DOE believe they were ready to be "sheared and slaughtered" by being part of the vaccinated number. No difference.

      Delete
  34. 6:35, It's not out of concern for you. Why would I have concern so disrespectful to teachers in general? But no one with high self-esteem would say this about themselves "We’re never going to strike. NYC teachers are sheep who pay dues to a union that laughs at how weak and gullible the sheep are". And this: "They’re not going to give us anything decent because they know they don’t have to. Teachers will still do more than what’s in their job description, be abused by administrations who in the rare case of being removed are given another cushy city job, be abused by students who suffer no consequences"

    You didn't say they're not going to give THEM anything decent, you said "us because they know they don't have to". But keep being Debbie Downer, you'll get exactly what you think you deserve.

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is the most important contract we will EVER get during our employment! Record inflation, cost of living increases, etc. I'm glad the first talks will start in October. Despite having horrific contracts in the past; this one has the potential to be good.

    We can't give ANYTHING back on our TDA Fixed Percentage or work more hours for more pay. Compensation for hours worked is called PAY.

    @3:35 made a comment that I mostly agree with. A LOT of elementary teachers are "Happy-go-lucky" liberal fools who will accept almost anything that we get. We are not striking so stop that nonsense.

    Come on Mulgrew. Do something you incompetent baboon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. The Seattle teachers situation shows that. 14% over 3yrs. 7% the 1st year. Protections for inflation in the 2nd and 3rd yr. Amtrack 24% over 5yrs.

      Delete
  36. 10:01 - this right here "You do not find disrespectful everything the uft and doe sent your way last year, but you find someone who pointed all of that out offensive?" is what's known as a STRAW MAN. But hey, if you fools want to consider yourselves sheep who are stupid and want to be sheared and slaughtered, and are abused by admin and students, have at it. You're entitled to live your life as miserable as you desire, or deserve.

    ReplyDelete
  37. p.s. 10:01, you're the one who's f-ked up. F-ked up, and abused.

    ReplyDelete

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