Alliance of Concerned Teachers
By ACT! Editor, Joseph Mudgett
"You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit."
Demosthenes, Third Olynthiac
Joe's insightful reporting of goings on at the Delegate Assembly.
The meeting began with President Randi Weingarten introducing Anne Goldman, the head of the Nurses' Chapter. She announced that the Federation of Nurses/UFT had just accepted a new three-year contract with the management of Visiting Nurse Service of New York. She was upbeat about the agreement, which came after a grueling negotiation that went right up to the wire. She expressed great concern about the negotiations with Brooklyn's Lutheran Medical Center. That contract expires February 28, and if a deal is not reached the nurses might strike on March 1. She asked the delegates for their support and received a thunderous ovation.
The next speaker was Joe Cook, Chapter Leader at embattled Tilden High School. He spoke about the extraordinary Town Hall meeting held there Tuesday evening, February 6, with a great assembly of teachers, parents, alumni, community leaders and politicians, Tilden's well-liked principal, Diane Varano, and UFT President Randi Weingarten. The strong message was outrage at the DOE's announced closing of Tilden, and resolve to ensure that any reorganization of Tilden is sound and fair. Mr. Cook expressed great thanks to Randi Weingarten and other UFT officials for their tremendous support. The meeting received much media attention
Note: I am thrilled to see last month's approved Resolution on School Closings go into effect with such great force so quickly. From all accounts I've heard, President Weingarten was impressive at the Tilden Town Hall meeting.
Then, we heard from Rick Mangone, the Chapter Leader at Lafayette High School. He concurred that last month's resolution on school closings gave the union people at his school the power to fight. One positive outcome of this continuing battle is that Lafayette principal, Jolanta Rohloff, has asked the DOE to be reassigned. [See last month's "Inside Track" report for more details about the Lafayette closing.]
Next, President Weingarten said the UFT won the Arbitration case. This decision should drastically reduce DOE delays in arbitrating the backlog of grievances. She also urged all members to find, read, and hang on to the "pull out" entitled, Know Your Rights, enclosed in the February 1 issue of New York Teacher.
She then offered the UFT's reaction to Chancellor Klein's reorganization plans. The changes push responsibility onto principals, who no longer have the security of tenure. They also bring back community school boards, while the new regions created by Bloom/Klein will now be dismantled. As for high school graduation rates, the mayor and DOE claim a 58% rate in New York City, while New York State puts it at 43%.
As for tenure. she said Klein's attempt to link tenure to standardized test scores will lead to a fight, and that Article 8J of our contract negates such an attempt. She also said that Governor Spitzer stated that student achievement is affected by many variables, such as class size, socio-economics, school climate, peer review and peer assistance. She said Klein can't get his tenure wishes without a change to New York State law, which she deemed unlikely.
Next Randi spoke about school budgets for teacher salaries. What Klein wants to do is destabilize good schools, by forcing all school's to put into their budgets the exact salary paid to each teacher, and not the average salary as had been prior policy. Since older, more experienced teachers earn more, this will force the UFT to bring an Age-Discrimination lawsuit if school's begin to chop older teachers from their payrolls.
Note: ACT!, ICE, TJC, and UTP have been predicting this situation ever since the 2005 contract gave away seniority transfer rights. The large number of ATRs (experienced teachers excessed into being subsitututes) created from recent school closings are just the tip of the iceberg.
There will be a "mobilization" on February 28 at St. Barton's Cathedral in Manhattan. The issue is the DOE's reorganization and the event will continue the UFT's Listen to Teachers Public Awareness Campaign.
A Resolution on DOE Reorganization was introduced by VP Mike Mulgrew. The motion questions the mayor's and chancellor's announced restructuring, that punishes high-performing schools with a so-called "weighted student funding formula" that will encourage age-biased hiring, and pins tenure to test scores. The resolution calls for a fair funding formula, and exploring a lawsuit challenging the plan to allow schools to hire private providers, and any further actions necessary to educate the public of the pitfalls of the DOE's plan. It calls for mobilizing the membership to shift the agenda back to letting teachers individualize their instruction; safer schools; more parental involvement; less emphasis on testing; and CFE funds for smaller class sizes. This resolution was passed unanimously.
A Resolution to continue and expand the Listen to Teachers Public Awareness and Mobilization was introduced. This involves a media campaign, plus "days of action" in every chapter, where teachers will wear "Have you listened to a teacher" buttons. This resolution was passed unanimously. Then buttons were distributed to delegates, and we were informed that bags of buttons would be delivered to all chapters soon.
Prior to hearing the Resolution on Military Recruiters, a group of high school students, armed with literature and banners, were introduced. They had been in the lobby of our headquarters for some time, and were invited into our hall. Their spokesperson, an energetic young lady, spoke passionately about the need to end the ability of military recruiters to maintain an active presence in NYC high schools. She received thunderous applause.
The Resolution was amended to state that the UFT formally opposes the presence of military recruiters in NYC high schools. The amended resolution was passed.
Finally, three time-sensitive resolutions were put to the assembly. A resolution to endorse Sandra March for re-election as a Teacher Member of the Teachers' Retirement Board; a resolution to authorize approval of an optional rider reimbursement to all eligible pre-1970 retirees; and a resolution to endorse Vincent Ignizio in the special election for City Council in the 51st Council District on Staten Island, for the seat vacated by new State Senator Andrew Lanza.
Note: I asked the delegates to endorse neither candidate in this election. I pointed out that just minutes earlier we held a moment of silence for S.I. Assemblyman, John Lavelle, who passed away recently, and that Mr. Lavelle had been supporing Mr. Ignizio's opponent in this race.
All three of the time-sensitive resolutions were approved.
The meeting began with President Randi Weingarten introducing Kathy Sharko, the District Rep of District 32. She spoke about Arbitration of Backlog of Grievances. This District Rep aggressively used the grievance procedure to help teachers in a number of schools who had "sixth class" ratios in excess of the 1 to 10 mainstream, and 1 to 5 special ed. The grieved teachers won small cash awards to compensate for these contractual violations.
Then it was announced that a "Know Your Rights" pamphlet will be published as a pullout in the February 1 issue of the NY Teacher.
Next, President Weingarten announced the names of those who have volunteered to join the Committee to Explore the Selection Process of District Reps.
Note: ACT! Editor, Joe Mudgett, and ICE member, James Eterno, will be joining this committee and plan to promote democratic selection of District Reps, and do away with executive appointments.
Then, President Weingarten introduced Rick Mangone, the Chapter Leader at Lafayette High School. Weingarten said that the Lafayette situation has been a major field test for how the UFT is dealing with school closings and unacceptable principals. Mr. Mangone thanked the UFT for its focus and attention. Then Randi spoke of the many grievances filed against principal Jolanta Rohloff. Many grievances were filed charging that Rohloff changed Regents grades to improve the look of Lafayette's performance. Six teachers filed improper practice charges against Rohloff. Rohloff had also told parents of many Limited English Proficient students that their children should be in mainstream classes, which caused many of these LEPs to transfer to other schools (all in an attempt to improve the school's performance). All of these factors contributed to the Bloom/Klein decision to close Lafayette. President Weingarten then claimed that the UFT is on its way to a victory of sorts: that the UFT is close to a deal with the DOE on creating a "new" Lafayette. Then, we were asked to vote for "Censure of Principal Rohloff," which passed unanimously.
Next, President Weingarten spoke about our new governor, Elliot Spitzer. She praised him for his committment to reduce class sizes around the state. She played down his comments about extending the school day and year, saying that summer camps and travel agents would lobby heavily against such a proposal.
She then addressed the Daily News article by Juan Gonzalez that reported that Mayor Bloomberg plans to aggressively privatize the NYC public school system. She said we have our contract and if there is an attempt to privatize we will draw a line in the sand. As to mayoral control, which will sunset in 2009, she stated that we never came out for mayoral control, and are in the process of deciding what to do about it when the deadline comes.
Note: My recollection is that our UFT president did support mayoral control, although I cannot verify that with specific evidence at this time.
Next we viewed a screening of our new commercial, depicting the wonderful job teachers do in molding young minds. This ad kicks off our "Listen to the Teacher" campaign. We were also urged to lobby our elected officials to get a big slice of CFE money to decrease class size. The UFT web site will let you "fax letters" to various officials in a quick and easy format.
The $750 contract signing bonus will be in our mid-January checks (Whoopee! After taxes mine came out to about $375). The UFT election season is here, and Fair Elections are assured, so Chapter Leaders were reminded that the mailboxes are open to all caucuses. Retired teachers can access them at any time, and active teachers after their regularly scheduled workday.
Q: What about Spitzer's lifting of caps on charter schools?
Randi said we oppose privatization, but we will support a person's right
to organize with no retaliation.
She further said that we will support privatization if our people want
it, and she pointed to the UFT run charter schools that she claimed are
laboratories of success.
A Resolution on School Closings was put to the floor for debate. One delegate proposed an amendment that would address the issue of ATRs and how school closings affect the children in the affected schools. Randi said that the number of ATRs this year was consistent with last year's number, and the amendment was not included. The resolution passed unanimously.
Note: I was in favor of the amendment, yet I still voted for the resolution. It is a step in the right direction, but I wish it had more teeth! Why won't the union release the number of ATRs across the city? If being an ATR is such a good thing I would think they would advertise that fact. Randi told us that ATRs have job security, but many of us are uneasy about the future of high priced substitutes working for the DOE.
A resolution from the floor was presented: To get the UFT to support an anti-war rally in Washington, DC on January 27. Executive board member, Abe Levine, spoke against the resolution. I agreed with his position that the UFT should focus on labor matters that directly concern our members, and stop venturing into other activities that are a distraction. He said if you want to attend the rally, then do so on your own dime. Even though folks who know me understand that I am a bleeding heart liberal, I applauded Abe Levine and voted against the resolution. Unfortunately, it was passed by a thunderous majority.
The last resolution from the floor was to get the UFT to take a firm position against letting military recruiters get access to student information. By a large majority, including myself, the Delegates agreed to explore this at next month's Delegate Assembly.
The meeting began with President Randi Weingarten introducing the terms of the new contract proposal, as delineated in a Memorandum of Agreement that was entered into on November 6, 2006 with the NYC Board of Education.
The two-year contract shall run from October 13, 2007 thru October 31, 2009. It calls for a 2% salary increase effective October 13, 2007 and a 5% increase effective May 19, 2008. It also includes a $750 lump sum (pensionable) to every member payable January 2, 2007, a sort of bonus for coming to terms with the city eleven months before our current contract is set to expire. In addition, teachers with 5 to 9 years of DOE service will receive a $1,000 "5-year longevity" payment.
The memorandum states that there will be no erosion of working conditions or additional work time (as was the case in the last two contracts), and all pension benefits will be preserved.
There are several other provisions regarding drug benefits, per session work, paperwork reduction, health sabbaticals for secretaries and lab specialists, extension of the Transit Chek program, expansion of the Peer Intervention Program, corporal punishment charge protection, and summer work for nurses and therapists.
Debate ran for about one hour, with many viewpoints expressed. An overwhelming majority of delegates voted to approve sending the contract to the members for a ratification vote. I was among the two to three hundred delegates to vote no. What was my reasoning?
Taken at face value, this does not appear to be a terrible contract. However, in my opinion, there are three factors of concern!
First, health care provisions, which aren't a direct part of the contract process, will be negotiated by the Municipal Labor Committee, the umbrella group for the city's unions. If the Bloomberg administration is able to wring economic concessions from the unions on health care, that would effectively reduce the raise we will receive in this contract. If the unions hang tough and grant no concessions, then there shall be no problem. Only time will tell.
Second, if this contract is ratified, the DOE (item 11 of the Memorandum) may offer excessed teachers who have not secured a regular assignment after at least one year of being excessed, a voluntary severance package in an amount to be determined in the future. Why should you be concerned about this provision? The current contract has created an unprecedented situation. There are some 1,000 experienced teachers who were excessed this year when their schools were "reorganized" putting them into the Open Job Market. These higher priced teachers, who understand the rights they possess, have proven unwanted to principals who would rather hire less expensive, and more malleable, newer teachers. Languishing in Living Hell as ATRs (Absentee Teacher Reserves), these experienced classroom teachers have been humiliated into working as substitutes.
The proposed contract potentially opens a dangerous door. It might sacrifice job security as has never been seen before. This provision should give all UFT members a long pause for very deep concern. Consider that as high stakes testing forces more and more schools into peril when they don't achieve artificially designed quotas of improvement, how many more teachers will find themselves excessed into the living hell of ATR (Substitute Teacher) status when their schools are closed. Will the current "no layoff" provision remain in effect when the city realizes it has a lot of high-priced substitutes working in the schools?
Third, if this contract is ratified, we will have to toil on for three more years, with the lost protections from the last contract and all the extra time we agreed to work in the last two contracts, including the two work days before Labor Day.
My final word of caution on this contract is the timing of it all. With our city flush with a multi-billion dollar surplus, why did we settle so quickly for so little? Cost of living in NYC is running at about 5% per year, so the new contract does not even keep up with inflation. Is there some connection between all UFT members receiving a "Christmas bonus" of $750 and the fact that UFT elections are scheduled in the spring?
At long last, the Delegate Assembly was allowed to debate and vote on the Election of District Representatives. The Executive Board's Resolution on a Bi-Partisan Committee to Recommend the District Representatives' Selection Process was presented to the Assembly. A little history: District Representatives had been elected by chapter leaders from 1969 until 2003. That's when the Executive Board changed this long-standing policy, and gave President Weingarten direct control over the selection of DRs. This "emergency" measure had to be reauthorized each June. But last June the Executive Board neglected to do so, and legally, elections by chapter leaders went back into effect.
When Executive Board member, Jeff Kaufman, pointed out this error in September, the Executive Board drafted the resolution that was put on the floor of the Delegate Assembly. The proposal states that President Weingarten should continue appointing DRs, while a bi-partisan committee should be formed to investigate what process would be best for the union. The committee's report would then be taken into consideration by the Executive Board.
ACT!, The Alliance of Concerned Teachers and the Unified Teachers Party have been calling for an amendment to the resolution. Basically that elections by chapter leaders should be restored until the committee makes its report. Though disappointed that I had to leave the DA after the contract vote, I was fortunate that Jeff Kaufman presented our resolution to the assembly.
The amendment was narrowly defeated and the resolution was approved. I am heartened by this vote and I urge the new committee to recommend increasing democracy in our union.
The meeting began with testimonials from several teachers from Middle School 301 on how they and the union worked together to oust a terrible principal. President Weingarten then announced the union wants to fund ten "field campaigns" this year to address similar concerns.
Note: The reason we have a union is to fight for our rights, every day, every where. Why should the union put a limit on how much fighting they will do for us? Especially since principals have been emboldened by the control the union ceded to the mayor, the Department of Education and its administrators in the current contract.
Then President Weingarten told us she would not deliver a President's Report today, but to see the New York Teacher for updates on various issues such as 55/25, CFE funding, and unionizing home day care workers.
Note: My hope at that point was that the delegates would get a chance to review and debate the Executive Board's resolution concerning the issue of selecting district representatives. Unfortunately, my hopes for that event were soon dashed.
Instead, an enormous length of time was devoted to a Contract Survey Overview. A suit named Stan ran thru a lengthy slide show explaining what had been learned from the contract surveys we had all received last summer. As one might reasonably expect, the number one concern is for a salary increase. I was surprised that Stan made no mention of the desire to get back many of the rights we lost in the current contract.
Once we were all numb from statistical analysis, the Contract Negotiating committee presented a resolution that had been hammered out with the other unions in the new coalition formed earlier this year. We were asked to keep this information secret for the time being. For me, it wasn't what was in the proposal that is of concern. It was what was missing in the proposal that concerns me.
There was nothing in this proposal about admitting that the union made a mistake, and gave too many rights away in the current contract. There was nothing about negotiating to get these rights back. The teachers I represent are adamant about getting back rights such as grieving letters in file, seniority and transfer rights, and limiting the power that administrators now hold over us, as well as getting back the two work days before Labor Day.
I was quite pleased when a fellow delegate from Brandeis HS made a motion to table discussion on the proposal for a month, so that we could have time to seriously consider it, and come up with suggestions that might improve it. He was, however, ruled out of order as he had begun speaking against the proposal before he made his motion. A member of the negotiating committee took exception to the motion, stating how much time and effort the committee had put in over the summer to produce this document.
Note: With all due respect to the negotiating committee, I then made a motion to table the proposal, and it was seconded by my colleague and fellow delegate, Diane Zagajeski. Not that this action mattered, my motion was voted down by an overwhelming majority, and debate continued.
Finally, the contract proposal was called for a vote. It won by a large majority. Why was so much time spent on this proposal, when it was certain to succeed? The answer is so that reformists such as myself would not get a chance to amend the Selection of District Representatives resolution. As usual, time at the Delegate Assembly is shrewdly managed by the powers that be. Perhaps a debate on democracy in our union will happen next month.
Paraprofessionals with BAs are eligible for a differential rate and should seek this. Teacher Union Day is November 5. Next DA is November 8.
Q: What is the status of 55/25?
As usual, it is still pending.
Q: What about the privatization of management?
Weingarten stated that Joel Klein will do all he can to dismantle
public schools.
But the union will sue if he steps over a certain line.
Q: What about music teachers teaching non-orchestral
classes, yet they can have a maximum of 50 students?
Weingarten said CFE money should help reduce these class sizes.
Then we were asked to consider a resolution to give the TWU $50,000 to help defray the costs they were hit with after their brave strike last year. I voted for this with no hesitation. Then a representative of the TWU addressed the delegates. I applauded because those guys didn't just talk the talk, they walked the walk.
The remaining time was spent by a representative of the Democratic Party, highlighting contests across the region. The message, "Vote Democrat" was quite clear.
Note: How ironic that the union leadership endorses democracy outside our organization, yet stifles it within.
When I took my seat (I had been distributing UTP literature calling for a motion to restore elections of district representatives) the delegates had just viewed an Internet advertisement for smaller classes. Then Randi was exhorting the delegates to convince New Yorkers to get an initiative for smaller class sizes on the November ballot as a charter amendment. Apparently a group called New Yorkers for Smaller Classes kicked off this campaign last Saturday with a speech from Randi. This petitioning drive is intended to force the city to allocate a great deal of the CFE money towards this purpose. Randi even stated that "the number one issue of NYC public school teachers is smaller class sizes."
Note: None of the teachers I talk to list class size as their priority issue. They are more concerned with being protected from increasingly hostile actions by the DOE, principals, and assistant principals. Besides, the ballot isn't necessarily the best place to fight the class size issue; it should be a contract issue (once in place it can't be changed willy nilly by the DOE): I hope someone on the super-sized negotiating committee takes note of this.
Then Randi was quick to distance the UFT from the state attorney general's investigation into NYSUT's ING financial scandal. She told us that our TDAs are well-managed, with very low management fees.
Note: As far as I can tell, our TDAs are managed well, and I hope our union continues to offer us nothing but the best in this regard.
She also informed us that we have increased funding to our dental plan, much to the delight of dental providers. Our dental coverage is fully funded and no changes have occurred.
Then Randi said there are still some schools not complying with the contract regarding faculty conferences, which must be held between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. An Arbitrator's decision is to made by the end of June in a pending case.
Randi made much ado about PS 272. Their new principal ordered five paraprofessionals to clean a moldy disgusting supply room in the school's basement. One para who refused was threatened with discipline and loss of pay. The chapter leader contacted her district rep who unleashed our Health & Safety people on the principal.
Note: This kind of protection should be a given for the members. That's why we have a union, right?
It was announced that copies of our elusive contract will be available on the UFT's web site next Monday.
Note: Why don't we members insist on seeing a copy of the contract BEFORE we are forced to vote on it. Would you sign a mortgage agreement without reading it thoroughly? I still don't know what my rights are under this contract; I just know I'm working longer days, do a period of hall duty, work two extra days in the formerly sacrosanct summer, lost grievance rights, and pay nearly $1,000 a year in union dues.
For me the low point of the meeting was when two DOE drudges droned on and on about accountability and a program called the Empowerment School Initiative, which is expanding to 200 more schools. Principals get to control their budgets (and Randi said the hope is that more teachers get hired).
Note: What the hell are our leaders doing inviting DOE hacks to address our union meeting? This is too cozy for my taste, even if Randi knocked them for accepting applications from principals who didn't properly consult with the teachers.
All delegates should attend the next PA/PTA meetings to talk about small class size. Parents will be needed to get the initiative on the ballot in November. On 5/24 there will be a rally for the Home Day Care Workers (some 40,000) to join our union.
Note: are they going to make them a separate local, so they don't dilute our voting rights in the UFT? Much as I believe that these hard-working, low-paid, people should be unionized, I don't think they should simply be added to our membership pool. We already have retirees with voting rights. Active teachers and paras need more leverage, not less, these days.
Randi asked the delegates if they wanted to cut this in half so we could ask these DOE suits questions. Praise the lord we voted no to that. It was fun, though, to see Mike Mendel huff and puff that he would now be responsible for fielding these questions on his email: mmendel@uft.org.
Q: How is the open-market transfer system working?
Randi used an anecdotal story to show its success.
Q: What's the latest on letters in file?
Randi said there was an increase at one school,
which is being investigated.
Q: What's new with 55/25?
Randi said we seem to be winning with one our arguments with
the Actuary. New members will automatically get 55/25, and
existing members will be able to buy in.
Note: I'd be happy to buy in. But the voice of reason in my head tells me I shouldn't hold my breath on it.
Q: Will chapter leaders be getting training in
writing rebuttals?
Randi answered: Yes.
Q: What about the NY Bill of Rights for Adult Education?
Q: Why do we allow the DOE to constantly give us "pilot"
programs to implement, before they have been properly tested?
At least two hands went up: mine and ICE/TJC's joint slate presidential candidate Kit Wainer. Randi selected Kit, chapter leader at Leon M. Goldstein, who presented his motion that our Negotiating Committee reject any and all calls from management for any givebacks, such as:
Randi couldn't contain herself and interrupted him, sarcastically asking how he knew what the DOE intends to push for, when she and our Unity leaders had heard nothing yet. Kit continued to speak for his motion, paying her remarks no mind.
Of course, when Randi asked if someone would speak against the motion, someone did. Basically, let the negotiating committee decide where to draw the line on different issues if they arise.
The motion was defeated.
Note: I voted for Kit's motion, and a significant number in the hall did so as well.
Then Randi asked, "Are there any more motions?" I raised my hand. I was sitting ten rows back, dead center from the podium. She looked at me, and then said, "Time's up."
Note: and there went my first chance to address the DA in session. My motion was for restoring elections of district representatives, which have been appointed by the president since the power grab in 2003. What a union. An hour of dribble from DOE big wigs, and ten minutes for motions from the thousand delegates in attendance.
Not only was I disrespected, but so too were the teachers I represent at Port Richmond High School, and all the UFT members on Staten Island. Where is our voice in this union? What are our dues paying for?
Join us in supporting Kit Wainer and the joint slate of ICE and TJC candidates running for officer and executive board positions this spring! We deserve to be heard! Let's take back our union and make it work for us!
The meeting began with Randi telling us the proposed Whistleblower legislation is moving along well but is not a done deal yet. And, Article 2 in our contract protects us against false allegations made by principals, parents, or students. There is a menu of remedies the union can pursue. She also announced that both houses in Albany have agreed that the 35,000 Home Care Workers can join our union. Now Pataki must sign off on it. Randi said 55/25 is warming up again, as well as action on how the 37 minutes a day is used. She also noted with glee that Carmen Farina has resigned. Then she asked if we could address 5 of the 13 Resolutions on the agenda immediately, and out of order. This motion was approved.
No More Time Resolution, crafted by the extended Negotiating Committee. Essentially, any calls or demands from management for additional mandatory work time for UFT members will be rejected, and is to be considered a strike issue. Passed virtually unanimously.
Note: I was the sole dissenter. Why? I preferred the amended version which was not presented to the DA. It stated: no extra time OR ANY OTHER GIVEBACKS! I believe that we should stop the givebacks (work rules, pension, healthcare, etc.) and actually seek to get back some of the protections we have lost.
May Class Size Action. Whereas, New Yorkers for Smaller Classes has filed suit to put on the November ballot that one-fourth of the CFE money be set aside to bring class sizes in NYC down to the same levels as the rest of the state; and whereas the DOE has failed to use $500 million targeted to reduce class sizes in K-3rd grade classes; the UFT is resolved to use the month of May to educate the public about the benefits of smaller class sizes and to call on the DOE to use one-fourth of the CFE funds that actually come to the city to lower class sizes across all grades. Passed unanimously.
Effects of Mandated Testing on Teaching and Learning. Basically, this addresses the over-emphasis on high stakes testing which is forcing teachers to teach to the test rather than assessing what should be taught in a more flexible curriculum. The UFT is resolved to develop a series of recommendations well before the upcoming 2007 reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, that strikes the proper balance between teaching and testing and how to effectively assess whether learning is occurring. Passed unanimously.
Members Involvement Motion. Basically, since unions of all stripes are being undermined thru propaganda and policies of the federal and local governments, big business, and the media, the UFT is resolved to engage in a vigorous, many-fronted, high-priority program of chapter building to jump-start a pro-unionist awareness among newer members, reeducate our veterans, and spark all of us towards activism, conciliation, and a new militancy. Passed unanimously.
Note: This sounds good, but, “Where’s the beef?” I challenge the union to put their money where their mouths are by actively restoring militancy to our ranks and fostering a “hard-line” attitude for all of us hard-working professionals.
Letting Teachers Teach. Basically, whereas this era of high-stakes testing and one-size-fits all teaching is not serving students well, and is not permitting teachers to teach in a variety of ways that best suit themselves and their students; and whereas the DOE requires teachers to waste valuable time doing excessive and duplicate record-keeping and supervisors focus on peripherals such as charts, word walls, and bulletin boards, and not the substance of teaching; the UFT resolves to educate the public on how these restrictions curtail learning in an on-going media and public-forum campaign. Passed unanimously.
If we want to help our transit brothers and sisters we can contribute funds to: UFT/TWU SUPPORT FUND, ATTN MIKE DUBIN, 52 BROADWAY, NY, NY 10004. The union has just mailed election material to the chapters to prepare for chapter leader and delegate elections. Speech teachers should rip up letters they received informing them of the Open Market the DOE sponsors. Three rallies: one Saturday 4/29 to end the war in Iraq sponsored by the AFL/CIO, one Sunday 4/30 in D.C. to force intervention in Darfur’s genocide, and one 5/24 in support of Home Day Care Workers. Next DA meeting will be 5/17.
Q: When will we get the new contracts?
They are at the printers now.
Q: What can a chapter leader do when an AP tells grieved members,
“Why did you go to the union?
Randi replied that the UFT wants to find a good test case of this
so as to send an effective message to the DOE.
Let her know if such shennanigans are going on in your school.
Comments from Randi: The DOE wants a sixth class in the high schools, not to reduce class size but to reduce the number of teachers. The union will fight this, she said. AYP is a weapon that will eventually make all NYC high schools fall into the failing (SURR-type) category. She said we need a different set of AYP guidelines that will make better sense. The problem is things like AYP are being used against schools and teachers so that the government can get out of the business of running and managing education.
A final question was heard. What is the union doing about chapter leaders who are being sent to the rubber room on trumped up charges just because they are locking horns with their school’s administrators? Randi said that the new “false allegations” clause in the contract is our new defense, and that the union will fight for all those CLs who have had their rights abridged.
Note: Norm Scott’s latest edition of Education Notes poses these intriguing questions: Are there any Unity chapter leaders in the rubber room? Is there some sort of collusion between Unity and the DOE to harass opposition chapter leaders? Hmm.
And, oh yeah I almost forgot, we were told to return to our schools and tell our colleagues that we respect them, and that the public ought to respect us as well. Gosh, I feel so much better now! I hope you do, too!
The meeting began with a film about the devastation in Louisiana from Hurricane Katrina. The New York State AFT has set a fundraising goal of $1 million.
Then, Randi spoke about the union's victory over the former principal of Brooklyn Tech, Lee McCaskill, who was ousted for improperly placing his daughter (residing in New Jersey) in a Brooklyn public school. For years McCaskill has made life hell for teachers at Brooklyn Tech.
To highlight this successful outcome, several current and former BT teachers were recognized. Dan Baldwin, an English teacher there, choked with emotion, praised the efforts of the UFT for their support along the way. "Randi's promise salvaged my life," he said. "Thank God we have a union," he concluded. These teachers were given thunderous applause.
Randi mentioned some other major fights, which she claimed, the union was pursuing vigorously. She mentioned JFK High School, Rikers High School, and the Curtis High School principal. "We fight," she said.
She mentioned the whistleblower law, which is on the agenda at the next New York City Council meeting. She also praised Michael Winerip of the New York Times for his continuing stories about hero teachers who are under various DOE/administration pressures.
Next, Weingarten spoke of the many 6R grievances which the union is pursuing. Included is the Intent to Arbitrate Faculty Conferences that some schools are scheduling to run past 3:45 p.m.
Next, Randi spoke of the 13,000 Home Day Care workers the union will be representing.
One of the featured speakers, Roger Toussaint of the TWU did not attend. But we heard a great speech from Dan Kane, an officer of the United Mine Workers. He focused on the need for union militancy, the need for members to fight back vigorously against the bosses who would subjugate them. He said we all need to develop "union power" by putting our strength in numbers to strategic use to gain better working conditions and benefits. "There are only two types of people in the world," he said, "Those who work and those who don't (the bosses who live on their investments)."
He spoke of their incredible 14-month long strike waged in the coal mining country down south. Despite court orders, and fines escalating to ridiculous sums, they held out, and shut down America's coal mining industry for 14 months. Then the bosses had to deal with them fairly. They hounded and picketed all the management biggies wherever they went. Needless to say, the assembly was impressed with this tough union man, and he deserved the ringing applause we gave up for him.
Note: I heard many folks whisper, "Why don't we have someone like him running our union?" I ask myself the same question every waking day.
Let me repeat his message: The only good union is a militant union. Fight hard and stay on the boss's ass every single minute of every single day.
Next was a major resolution to achieve a fair and timely contract. After some discussion, it was put to a vote. It passed by an overwhelming (nearly unanimous) majority.
Note: I was one of three delegates to vote NO to this resolution. Why? The wording is just too weak: "Resolved...to engage members in an in-depth exploration of strategies to achieve these contractual goals, including...adopting a "no contract, no work" policy." I believe that the time has already passed to "explore" strategies to improve activism in our union to meet the challenges of the next contract negotiations. What we need is an Action Plan now! I remind my readers that Nick Licari had made an excellent proposal at the last DA to improve union activism, but Randi and her Unity mob voted it down. Take heed of Dan Kane's words and let's get militant now!
Still an issue is "pattern bargaining" when we take our turn to negotiate a contract.
Mike Mendel, a UFT officer, told us that copies of the contract will be available next month.
Note: this is going to be at the very top of my "must read" list, and so it should for all of us.
UFT Lobby Day is scheduled for March 14.
I received a DVD of John Stossel's 20/20 program, aired by ABC recently, that trashed all teacher unions, and really painted an awful picture of Randi Weingarten. It will be available to view, and there will be petitions for you to sign at the school. Chapter Leaders will collect them. The March DA has been cancelled so that a delegation can go up to ABC headquarters and present them with thousands of signatures from angry teachers.
Note: Considering the fact that the media has been trashing teachers for years, what makes this 20/20 piece so onerous? Why are we fighting this now? Is it because Randi was made to look like a total fool? Is it because our leaders want to divert our attention from the continuing woes of 6R assignments and extended school days?
Then, Randi blamed the TWU strike and Governor Pataki for the trouble we seem to be having in getting 25/55 established and funded.
Note: I thought Randi supported the transit workers. Perhaps it was a good idea that Mr. Toussaint did not attend after all. In any event, I blame Randi for lying to us about 25/55 when she knew it was never going to happen.
Melvyn Aaronsen was endorsed as a teacher-member of the Teachers' Retirement Board.
The final part of the show was the resolution on the War in Iraq. Many people spoke and it was clear that sentiment is in favor of withdrawing our troops a soon as possible. Still, things got nasty and ugly when Abe Levine spoke in favor of U.S. involvement in Iraq. One of the rude hecklers was called on by another man, who told him to be civil and give the man his time to speak. These two nearly came to blows. Randi had to halt proceedings to admonish the hecklers to conduct themselves civilly. An amendment to the resolution was proposed [which I liked better, it was more specific], but in the end it was the original resolution that was passed by an overwhelming majority.
Note: I voted in favor as well. In addition, in a democracy all voices should be heard and people should not be jeered or heckled. If you don't agree, fine. But let dissenters speak.
Jeff Kaufman, an executive board member, called for a point of order when it came to discussing the amendment to the resolution. But Randi paid no heed, disregarded Roberts' Rules of Order, and led the discussion her way.
Note: There is a good reason why deliberative bodies use Roberts' Rules of Order, and to disregard them, as Randi continually does, diminishes the spirit of democracy we should expect at our Delegate Assemblies.
Still, one could hear many folks grumbling that, yes, it's a good thing for the UFT to take a stand on the war in Iraq, but shouldn't we devote our energies to improving the working conditions of the union members, that perhaps we should put our own house in order first before we foray into other arenas. I heard several people say that these diversions, orchestrated by our leaders, must stop.
What do you think?
I cannot report what happened during the first half hour, as I was busy handing out literature on an important issue: a call to Randi to restore democracy to the UFT, specifically franchising members to elect their District Representatives. DRs used to be elected by chapter leaders, but back in 2000 Randi grabbed control and made them presidential appointees. I think teachers should get a say in the union for our $82 of dues each month. What about you?
Randi was discussing the 20/20 program that was recently aired on CBS. If you didn't catch it, the title was: Cheating our Students: Public Education in America. If you did see it, you could understand Randi's concern. John Stossel and CBS portrayed Randi in an awful light. And they bashed all teacher unions.
Randi pointed out that unions are suffering in America. Membership numbers have slipped dramatically in the private and public sectors. Teachers are the largest union workforce, percentage-wise, in America, and that overall, only 37% of public service labor is unionized. Thus, teachers' unions are the main targets of governments, businesses and the media. She proposed that we launch a media campaign in favor of public education.
Note: Doesn't she have a Battle Plan yet? What's she waiting for?
Some 5,200 teachers were victimized by identity-theft at the Teachers Retirement System. One culprit is in jail. Authorities are pursuing the rest of the ring. Affected teachers should have received letters from TRS, and the small portion who actually suffered financial losses have been "made whole" by TRS. She said the UFT will make sure that if more teachers suffer criminal pilferage that they will be reimbursed as well.
A resolution to support the Transit Workers Union was put off to the future by Randi. She wants to wait and see what happens with the TWU's membership vote on their contract, before proceeding. She said she hopes we can learn a lesson on "how to mount a credible strike."
Note: As the president of one of the largest unions, shouldn't she already know how to mount a credible strike?
She breathed some caution about the 25/55 provision in the contract. It seems that despite Weingarten and Bloomberg's efforts, George Pataki is balking.
Note: No surprise there.
Randi said she was surprised that the UFT received only 23 grievances so far on Circular 6R implementation. She attributed this to the tough stance the UFT took during the final hours of negotiating the contract. Several delegates voiced 6R problems at their schools, such as one teacher from Clara Barton who said there was a large number of administrative duties assigned to teachers and that many had been denied all six of their choices, and seniority didn't seem to matter. Randi said, "Let's grieve them. Let us know what's going on so we can fight for you." She also urged schools to closely monitor this implementation, as there are supposedly contract provisions that limit the amount of administrative duties that teachers are assigned to handle.
Note: I'm glad administrators get help but who's been assigned to help me?
The new City Council President, Christine Quinn, spoke. She said, "I'm with you. I will fight with you. I will help change the dialog in our city's government." Robert Jackson, the new chairman of the Education Committee, also spoke. He said he will fight hard to get the CFE billions from Albany into New York City schools. He also said he wants to create an oversight committee to get feedback from the city's teachers.
Randi spoke about the union's efforts to raise funds for teachers in New Orleans who have lost their jobs since Hurricane Katrina, and our efforts to raise funds for the TWU.
Note: I will find out where you can send your contributions and let you know.
One teacher proposed that all city workers should go on strike at the same time as a show of force. Randi's reply, "Well, in order to do that, all of the unions would need to agree to Coalition Bargaining. If, say, the police and SEIU opt out, would a strike then be effective?" Then she changed the subject by saying, "Health care coverage and pensions are the main concerns for all of the unions. We'll be looking at different strategies on how to organize."
Note: Three months ago, as the contract was being ratified, she said that the UFT's first priority was to create a plan of action. Doesn't she have a strategy in place yet?
Executive Board member, Jeff Kaufman, spoke out about a "cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the recent UFT staff pay raise." His motion was to rescind the improper and unapproved action, but it did not receive enough votes to place it on the agenda. Feeling that the motion raised accusations that needed to be explained to the delegates, Staff Director, Michael Mendel, told the body, indignantly, that "there were several inaccuracies." Kaufman later said that "it was clear that the staff was paid the increase before proper Executive Board approval was obtained." He said that "this proves that our leadership does not care how it spends our dues so long as it helps line their own pockets."
Note: I voted in favor of Kaufman's motion.
A teacher, Nick Licari, made a motion for his detailed, multi-level, strategy to fan the few remaining coals of activism remaining in the union into a raging inferno. Randi asked if there were anyone willing to speak in opposition of this motion. A man (I will assume affiliated with Unity) did just that. He said that some of Nick's ideas made sense, but on the whole, it wasn't viable. He said that the UFT will have to "take a closer look." The motion didn't receive enough votes to place it on the agenda.
Note: I intend to contact Nick and get a copy of his proposal. It sounded just dandy to me. I don't know about you, but this old boy wants a better contract in October 2007. The UFT doesn't have any time to waste in rehabilitating itself.
A resolution for withdrawing troops from Iraq, and a resolution about improving so-called "secret balloting" were on the agenda, but not addressed by closing time.