tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post3390217342156326737..comments2024-03-07T15:25:26.971-05:00Comments on ICEUFT Blog: GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION ARTS HS TEACHERS SUING FOR AGE DISCRIMINATION WILL FINALLY GET THEIR DAY IN COURTJeff Kaufmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728874415155394751noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-4719744013898258892008-09-04T21:28:00.000-04:002008-09-04T21:28:00.000-04:00Dear Teachers,I am a litigant in the Graphics Age ...Dear Teachers,<BR/><BR/>I am a litigant in the Graphics Age Discrimination Suit. I would like to share that we are going to federal court Monday, September 8, 2008 for 10 business/school days.<BR/><BR/>Let me verify that we have paid dearly from our own pockets to get there. We are fortunate to have a creative and motivated triad of lawyers who will not get rich, nor will we, from a win. This is about justice and reputation, and our rights to teach as we have always enjoyed. It is also about getting fair pay and professional treatment for teachers who have studied and worked hard to earn senior tenure and status.<BR/><BR/>Support outside Judge Jed Rakoff's courthouse in Southern District would be a joy to behold. The era of Bloomberg/Klein/Resnic needs a serious challenge by educators with backbone.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, and best regards.<BR/><BR/>Diana FriedlineDhyanaLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04778307183312007038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-92220155926014265742008-08-22T03:37:00.000-04:002008-08-22T03:37:00.000-04:00I have used my whole box of tissues... what to do ...I have used my whole box of tissues... what to do now???FidgetyTeachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13062058958826674862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-52209132552017661242008-07-17T11:41:00.000-04:002008-07-17T11:41:00.000-04:00GOOD LUCK TO GCA TEACHERS! What does the Union do...GOOD LUCK TO GCA TEACHERS! What does the Union do with our dues. They do not even represent us. But they have the nerve to spend our money in nonsense. Let's take one of them.<BR/>" Six Flags Great Adventure - $5,977"<BR/><BR/>How did they spend $5,977 at Six Flags? Did RW and her gang went there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-83143920579121896572008-07-15T18:19:00.000-04:002008-07-15T18:19:00.000-04:00The salaries come out every UFT election and very ...The salaries come out every UFT election and very few care. Why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-33468120056121599842008-07-15T18:18:00.000-04:002008-07-15T18:18:00.000-04:00The salaries come out every UFT election and very ...The salaries come out every UFT election and very few care. Why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-79587483524113016342008-07-15T11:34:00.000-04:002008-07-15T11:34:00.000-04:00And now the salaries from 2006...get some tissues....And now the salaries from 2006...get some tissues...<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/> <BR/>Form LM-2 Labor Organization Annual Report <BR/>Name Position Total Disbursement Source<BR/>Rhonda Weingarten President 263897 Form LM-2 Labor Organization Annual Report<BR/>Daniel Acosta Field Rep. 96593 <BR/>Carmen Alvarez-Scaglion Special Rep. NYSUT 92797 Period – From 8/1/2005, Through 7/31/2006<BR/>Susan Amlung Communications 164068 Teachers, AFL-CIO, Local Union 2, New York City Teachers<BR/>Amy Arundell Special Rep. 124807 52 Broadway<BR/>Robert Astrowsky Special Rep. NYSUT 160917 <BR/>Charles Baker Asst. CFO 130404 <BR/>Leroy Barr Special Rep. NYSUT 127969 <BR/>Michelle Bodden Special Rep. NYSUT 120866 <BR/>Klaus Bornemann Special Rep. 132156 <BR/>Jacques Bycinthe Special Asst. 93519 <BR/>James Callaghan Writer 95131 <BR/>Leo Casey Special Rep. 133960 <BR/>Steven Castellano Bldg. manager 103778 <BR/>Joseph Colletti Special Rep. 128483 <BR/>Robert Conroy Mngr. - Office Services 81730 <BR/>Lawrence D'Addona Special Rep. 128990 <BR/>Michelle Daniels Special Rep. 129280 <BR/>Ronnie Davis Communications 129887 <BR/>Helen Doughty Special Rep. 127192 <BR/>Michael Dubin Chief Financial Officer 201986 <BR/>Claudette Edwards Admin. Asst. 108644 <BR/>Paul Egan Special Rep. 126682 <BR/>Eloise Engler Industrial Hygienist 138142 <BR/>Christopher Flaherty Director - Admin. Servcs. 131421 <BR/>Harolyn Fritz Boro. Rep. 164038 <BR/>Ellen Gallin Procida Special Rep. 129907 <BR/>Stephen Gappelberg Special Rep. 128696 <BR/>Carol Gerstl General Counsel 158571 <BR/>Anne Goldman Special Rep. - NYSUT 131318 <BR/>Jerome Goldman Boro. Rep. - NYSUT 164819 <BR/>Jeffrey Goldstein Special Rep. 159546 <BR/>Rodney Grubiak Special Rep. 128696 <BR/>Jonathan Gyurko Special Rep. 127939 <BR/>David Hickey General Manager 211561 <BR/>Jeffrey Huart Special Rep. 125699 <BR/>Angela Khan Special Rep. 113978 <BR/>Marc Korashan Special Rep. 124801 <BR/>Martha Lane Special Rep. 129726 <BR/>Elizabeth Langiulli Special Rep. - NYSUT 187248 <BR/>Joyce Levenson Special Rep. 101771 <BR/>Joseph Loverde Jr. Writer 113365 <BR/>Kenneth Lubetsky Special Rep. 135123 <BR/>Stuart Marques Communications 172788 <BR/>Mary McAdoo Communications 100166 <BR/>Michael Mendel Special Rep. 204350 <BR/>Lawrence Miraldi Editor 172007 <BR/>Thomas Murphy Special Rep. 157845 <BR/>John Papas Mngr. - Accounting 115544 <BR/>Christine Proctor Industrial Hygienist 130972 <BR/>Gary Rabinowitz Special Rep. 131307 <BR/>Amina Rachman Special Rep. 147597 <BR/>Pierrot Raymond Special Asst. 131394 <BR/>Briget Anne Rein Special Rep. 127739 <BR/>Marvin Reiskin District Rep. - NYSUT 105549 <BR/>Sharon Ripley Special Rep. 126175 <BR/>John Robilotti Special Rep. 131782 <BR/>Ann Rosen Special Rep. 129990 <BR/>Eugene Rubin Special Rep. 128227 <BR/>Abraham Ruda Special Rep. 154625 <BR/>Burton Sacks Special Asst. 174963 <BR/>Maureen Salter Communications 144298 <BR/>Theresa Samuels Special Rep. 127248 <BR/>Kathy Schiavarelli Supervisor 104976 <BR/>Howard Schoor Boro. Rep. 154613 <BR/>Anthony Sclafani Special Rep. 129541 <BR/>Evelyn Seroy Special Rep. 127497 <BR/>John Settle Special Rep. 130160 <BR/>James Sherlock Special Rep. 127754 <BR/>Barbara Shiller Special Rep. 141344 <BR/>Barbara Silberman Special Rep. 127661 <BR/>Howard Solomon Special Rep. 153085 <BR/>Michael Spielman Writer 113861 <BR/>Garry Sprung Special Rep. 154694 <BR/>William Stamatis Special Rep. 135030 <BR/>Francine Streich Special Rep. 126794 <BR/>Lucille Swaim Special Asst. 169173 <BR/>James Tabert Boro. Rep. - NYSUT 162388 <BR/>Laura Tamburo Special Rep. 127175 <BR/>Marcia Texidor Supervisor 131635 <BR/>James Vasquez Special Rep. 112975 <BR/>Hope Willocks Special Rep. 109781 <BR/>Donald Wright Mgr. - Accounting 103282 <BR/>Jeffrey Zahler Special Rep. - NYSUT 151429Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-24588438323193453372008-07-15T11:31:00.000-04:002008-07-15T11:31:00.000-04:00What's happening with our dues money. Here it is ...What's happening with our dues money. Here it is again for new readers: From 2006 LM2:<BR/><BR/>Form LM-2 Labor Organization Annual Report<BR/><BR/>Period – From 8/1/2005, Through 7/31/2006<BR/>Teachers, AFL-CIO, Local Union 2, New York City Teachers<BR/>52 Broadway<BR/><BR/>- Schedule 5 – Investments<BR/> - $100,000 State of Israel Bond<BR/> - $65,000 State of Israel Bond<BR/>- According to the report employees were engaged in the following activities:<BR/>o Representational Activities – 46%<BR/>o Political Activities and Lobbying – 6%<BR/>o Contributions – 0%<BR/>o General Overhead – 38%<BR/>o Administration – 10%<BR/>- So, less than half of the time spent by employees of the Union went towards representing the membership<BR/>- Nearly half of the time was used for administrative purposes<BR/>- Active members in the Union – 105,792<BR/>- Retirees – 49, 331<BR/>- Interesting Donations<BR/>o National Action Network - $10,000<BR/>o West Indian Day Parade - $10,000<BR/>o Council for Unity, Inc. - $10,000<BR/>o Seaside Summer Concert Series - $30,000<BR/>- General Overhead Disbursements<BR/>o Regal Cinemedia - $54,120<BR/> Ticket Provider<BR/>o NY Hilton and Towers - $641,517<BR/> Meeting Services<BR/>o AT&T Teleconference Services - $321,514<BR/> General vendor<BR/>o Coffee Distributing Corp. - $101,189<BR/> Coffee provider<BR/>o Central Parking System - $82,725<BR/> Parking<BR/>o New York Helmsley Hotel - $67,315<BR/> Meeting Services<BR/>o AMC Theaters - $67,075<BR/> Ticket Provider<BR/>o Waldorf Astoria - $194, 146<BR/> Meeting Serv.<BR/>o NY Mets Group Sales Dept. - $8,812<BR/> General Vendor<BR/>o Culinart - $1,373,095<BR/> Catering<BR/>o Clearview Cinemas - $17,605<BR/> Tickets<BR/>o Sheraton New York Hotels - $264,817<BR/> Meeting Service<BR/>o Bill Lynch Associates, LLC - $219,572<BR/> Consulting<BR/>o Louie & Johnnies Pizza Café - $18,176<BR/> Caterer<BR/>o Leo E. Casey - $15,879<BR/> General Vendor<BR/> See the salary report!<BR/>o 86th Street Meat Market Inc. - $40,631<BR/> Catering<BR/>o Adrian & Rocky’s Catering Services - $29,241<BR/> Catering<BR/>o Shore Haven Diner - $20,040<BR/> Catering<BR/>o Grand Harmony Restaurant - $12,333<BR/> Catering<BR/>o UFT Elementary Charter School - $646,238<BR/> Charter School<BR/>o Babs & Boys - $230,000<BR/> Video Provider<BR/>o Six Flags Great Adventure - $5,977<BR/> Park Tickets<BR/>o The Glover Park Group - $243,165<BR/> Consultant<BR/>oAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-51672703464883282422008-07-15T09:19:00.000-04:002008-07-15T09:19:00.000-04:00ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM has put ...ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM has put into IN PLACE a procedure that CIRCUMVENTS THE union contract, education regulations and basic civil rights laws TO REMOVE ANY TEACHER. This “process” has so infiltrated OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, THAT NOW OUR TEACHERS’ CAREERS, REPUTATIONS, HEALTH CARE AND PENSIONS ARE BEING ROUTINELY DESTROYED, and there is ABSOLUTELY NO RECOURSE TO THE LAW available to those teachers, because the union represents them, and they fail miserably to do this! In the process, wonderful teachers are humiliated in ways that are reminiscent of slavery. <BR/>TEACHERS WHO SPEAK OUT ABOUT UNSOUND EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE, the ‘whistle-blowers’, are the first to be singled out. Senior teachers, with strong voices are next to be targeted, particularly as their meager salary reaches longevity steps. They are followed by any teacher that is disliked by some petty, failed human being, often with poor credentials, but given power to ‘supervise’ teachers. “Staff-developers” whose job is to train and facilitate learning, often become tyrants who evaluate and demean teachers whose methods they fail to recognize, because they lack the rubric that recognizes the indicators for evaluation.<BR/>The personal agendas of administrators replace curricula; thus talented teachers find themselves on a one way journey to the ‘rubber room.” Those ‘business managers’ at the top -- principals and superintendents -- who call themselves “educators,” in an astonishing number of systems have as their HIGHEST PRIORITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR POSITON IN THE CASH-COW THAT BECOMES THEIR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT. They are given tacit permission by a system that fails to protect teachers, and they stoop to tactics that are so egregious that people find it hard to believe. THAT IS THE PROBLEM! Ordinary people who believe in the law of the land are incredulous and say, “How can this be true?”<BR/>While the media focuses and points the finger only at those "bad teachers", the union mishandles tens of thousands of cases. The crucial point where the contract would prevent the abusive false allegations from being ‘Put-out’ as CHARGES- IS AT THE SITE, where the site UNION rep depends on the principal for everything: the student load, the duties, the materials, the program. Collusion with administration has become EPIDEMIC HERE, and grievance procedures are abandoned.<BR/><BR/>THE WAY IT WORKS:<BR/>IT IS SO SIMPLE! To bypass the grievance procedure MANDATED in a contract, the principal tells a parent to complain directly to the CHANCELLOR or superintendent, with one of several SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.<BR/>• CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS A FAVORITE ,and teacher comments can be interpreted as threatening, and used to charge a teacher with corporal punishment. (Education law is clear that this in illegal.)<BR/>• Sexual abuse “ there has been a three –fold increase in these allegation interpreted by the ASSOCIATED PRESS release to mean that there is an increase of thirty percent in predation by teacher- now abusive to students, when in truth, this charge is just a ploy to remove a teacher, in most of the cases.<BR/>• Theft or misuse of funds: which is ironic, since it is administration that that often robs the school blind.<BR/>• Drug Abuse: any allegation can doom a teacher.<BR/><BR/>Once in a detention center, awaiting a hearing often three years down the road, a teacher is virtually a prisoner, and cannot go to the bathroom without permission. Imagine dedicating your life, educating yourself for years, spending money to make teaching possible in places where books and materials are scarce or non-existent, and ending up in this virtual prison, facing a kangaroo court years later, unable to defend yourself. Arbitration by people whose only objective is to get you to retire, will put the final nail in your career.<BR/><BR/>The result is that this system allows the brightest, most experienced and educated teachers to be locked up and subjected to humiliation that no minority segment of our population has experienced in decades. Educated professionals, dedicated to enriching the lives of our future citizens have become the targets of petty, corrupt administrations. The numbers are staggering! <BR/>It destroys their lives, too. The toll it takes on good people who have dedicated their lives to caring for children would make you weep, if you witnessed the destruction and humiliation . Working tirelessly to overcome the inherent difficulties of teaching in this centuries’ neglected educational institutions, teaching increasingly difficult populations of children, and earning salaries below what it takes to live a decent life, teachers are blind-sided by the manner in which their career is terminated.<BR/>No American should be treated like this. But, to subject educated professionals who have done nothing more than excel in their work and dedicate their lives to our children - this is BEYOND CRIMINAL. It is IMMORAL!<BR/>DO YOU FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE?<BR/><BR/>If you think this is an exaggeration, you can go to, www.endteacherabuse.com or read "White Chalk Crime" and discover the stories of an astonishing numbers of wonderful teachers who lost everything. It will make you cry... for the teachers, for this country, and for the children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-11743443125892798232008-07-14T08:26:00.000-04:002008-07-14T08:26:00.000-04:00Why isn't the Union involved in such an important ...Why isn't the Union involved in such an important case? What's happening with our dues money? Is it going to support UFT/Unity charter schools and the accompanying propaganda mill? These teachers have all courageously gone forward with this important lawsuit, while Unity operatives more likely have been busy trying to get out press releases congratulating themselves. The CL should be hung out to dry for allowing these teachers to be subjected to the obvious discrimination and humiliation that prevails at GCA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-57262885119832200162008-07-14T00:25:00.000-04:002008-07-14T00:25:00.000-04:00By writing a strategy on this blog, Unity will see...By writing a strategy on this blog, Unity will see it immediately. Why don't you attend an ICE or TJC meeting and tell them your plan or start your own movement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-19136432657852414532008-07-14T00:24:00.000-04:002008-07-14T00:24:00.000-04:00You will need a whole lot of money to organize the...You will need a whole lot of money to organize the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-16212253871427054762008-07-14T00:02:00.000-04:002008-07-14T00:02:00.000-04:00oh...we have to go beyond mailboxes...we have to g...oh...we have to go beyond mailboxes...<BR/><BR/>we have to go and do what Unity does not know how to do...<BR/><BR/>stay tunedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-25500637751279778322008-07-13T22:43:00.000-04:002008-07-13T22:43:00.000-04:00The chapter leader at the school is a long-term ad...The chapter leader at the school is a long-term administrative suck up and stalwart Unity Caucus members know for removing opposition literature from teacher mailboxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-65979634771945795472008-07-13T22:06:00.000-04:002008-07-13T22:06:00.000-04:00Dear Unitymustgo:I think many of us can relate to ...Dear Unitymustgo:<BR/><BR/>I think many of us can relate to what you are saying. However, our comments here will have little to no effect on Unity. Yes they monitor the blogs, especially to control how they might be perceived by their gang at the DA. <BR/><BR/>They will only begin to listen and react when they see the opposition actively organizing against them. It's that simple, and yet it is extremely difficult work. <BR/><BR/>The movement to organize against them must happen now. If we hit a serious economic downturn, you can forget about the rank and file willing to step up and out to challenge Unity. Instead they will repeat the mantra, "God I'm lucky to have a job."<BR/><BR/>Let's get going people!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-5450110418164031022008-07-13T20:57:00.000-04:002008-07-13T20:57:00.000-04:00I so agree. I'm no expert on unions and laws gove...I so agree. I'm no expert on unions and laws governing unions, but why do we have to join? Don't get me wrong I recognize the value of a union. I am very pro-union in my views, but man do I feel like nothing would change for me at my school if I didn't belong to the UFT. UFT if your out there reading this I hope this acts as some kind of wake up call. <BR/><BR/>Unitymustgo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-14721946262838888832008-07-13T18:18:00.000-04:002008-07-13T18:18:00.000-04:00No, it's not just you. When I read about cases lik...No, it's not just you. When I read about cases like these I also question where the #$%@&%* UFT is?? On more than one occasion I have thought it would be great to ask the UFT for a full refund of my dues!proofoflifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223433380297875666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-42072019750354064222008-07-13T17:56:00.000-04:002008-07-13T17:56:00.000-04:00Just guessing, but the Union has nothing to do wit...Just guessing, but the Union has nothing to do with any of this? Meaning these teachers are either paying for this lawsuit themselves or receiving Pro-Bono representation from a good-hearted lawyer. I don't get why I pay dues? I truly don't understand what our dues are spent on?? Everything I think our union should be doing like paying for lawyers for teachers fighting unjust treatment, they just don't? I wish all these teachers good luck. If there is a way to donate to help their cause I would. Lastly, yeah I will be annoyed as heck when (hopefully) they win and our Union claims victory, like they did with that other guy you wrote about weeks ago that our union had the gall to parade at the DA. Is it just me? Am I crazy to be annoyed by these things?<BR/><BR/>Unitymustgo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com