There's a lot of history here (check the ednotes blog sidebar for links). We got to meet the FMPR president and other strikers at the Radical Math Conference back in April. A key element from our point of view is the FMPR disaffiliation from the AFT in 2004 (I was at the AFT convention in Washington when this all came up sitting at the press table with EIA's Mike Antonucci when he was the first to report on it.) When supporters recently asked the UFT to back the strike, the leadership agreed, after the usual waffling by Randi, who initially said they couldn't do it without asking the AFT first or getting a formal request form FMPR, or something like that. But playing the usual political card of giving ice water in the winter she agreed to a mild resolution "expression of support" – though strikers could burn the reso for fuel.
I was one of the few arguing for a stronger reso that would tie in some of the FMPR/AFT history with SEIU actions and calling on the AFT/UFT (look for a followup post on how they are one and the same) to make overtures to FMPR (I know, it would have been rejected.) But NYC FMPR supporters felt that the strikers would feel better even with this. But at the last Delegate Assembly, a reso to provide financial support to the 17 teachers who have been fired, was turned down with an Hispanic Unity Caucus member of the Executive Board arguing against supporting the teachers. With SEIU out to remove and independent, militant, left oriented union, and with the AFT/UFT sitting on the sidelines (are they really?) one can't but think that the traditional anti-left, militant AFT/UFT leadership is in essence supporting SEIU by supposedly staying on the sidelines. And by the way, the governor of PR who is trying to destroy FMPR by bringing in SEIU, is a strong Hillary Clinton supporter and was part of her victory in the recent primary. Oh, da woim toins.
June 8, 2008 Puerto Rico Parade
I was one of the few arguing for a stronger reso that would tie in some of the FMPR/AFT history with SEIU actions and calling on the AFT/UFT (look for a followup post on how they are one and the same) to make overtures to FMPR (I know, it would have been rejected.) But NYC FMPR supporters felt that the strikers would feel better even with this. But at the last Delegate Assembly, a reso to provide financial support to the 17 teachers who have been fired, was turned down with an Hispanic Unity Caucus member of the Executive Board arguing against supporting the teachers. With SEIU out to remove and independent, militant, left oriented union, and with the AFT/UFT sitting on the sidelines (are they really?) one can't but think that the traditional anti-left, militant AFT/UFT leadership is in essence supporting SEIU by supposedly staying on the sidelines. And by the way, the governor of PR who is trying to destroy FMPR by bringing in SEIU, is a strong Hillary Clinton supporter and was part of her victory in the recent primary. Oh, da woim toins.
June 8, 2008 Puerto Rico Parade
by Angel Gonzalez (NYC teacher)
As the 1199/SEIU Parade Contingent gathered to march today, members of the Puerto Rico Teachers' Federation/FMPR-Support Committee of New York greeted and distributed leaflets denouncing Denis Rivera betrayal of the teachers' and education struggle in Puerto Rico. Buttons calling for FMPR solidarity and a "Stop to the SEIU Raiding" of the FMPR Teachers' union, were well received by many in the 1199/SEIU Parade Contigent. Some 1199SEIU were very receptive and appreciated this information which they learned about for the first time. One marcher said "I have just returned to New York from Puerto Rico and it is an outrage what SEIU is doing to the teachers in Puerto Rico."
Some SEIU members called our leaflets false propaganda and misinformed. But none, including the Marshalls and an 1199 President could not explain exactly what was false about our charges of Denis Rivera's betrayal of the P.R. education struggle and his despicable collusion with the teachers' boss, Governor Acevedo-Vila. This governor brutally repressed a valiant and democratic strike of teachers, parents and students who demanded better school and work conditions -- a struggle that successfully fought against privatization of the public schools and won promises of improvements to wages and schools.
Andy Stern and Denis Rivera demonstrated no solidarity and worker unity with critical and just struggle for P.R. schools and teachers. Instead they were making back-room deals to promote the decertification and sabotage of the FMPR; making such deals to support the corrupt anti-worker Governor in exchange for his support in getting the teachers under the SEIU "dues-sucking" membership. The same riot police that repressed the heroic teachers during their 10 day stike this past March were the same police who were called upon to again repress and brutalize the FMPR teachers who leafletted at last weeks SEIU Convention in PR.
Both PR Parade Gran Marshall Denis Rivera and Gov. Anibal Acevedo - Vila, who hand-in-hand led the parade, were also greeted with our leaflets. Both were denounced as traitors by our members as the parade began.
We again call on members of 1199/SEIU to repudiate Denis Rivera's shameful betrayal and misleadership at their union meetings. Denis Rivera should be held accountable at 1199's Delegate Assembly. He has yet to speak on this issue there.
Attached find pictures of our committee members distributing our buttons and leaflets at the parade today. They were well received by many at the SEIU contingent.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome. Irrelevant and abusive comments will be deleted, as will all commercial links. Comment moderation is on, so if your comment does not appear it is because I have not been at my computer (I do not do cell phone moderating). Or because your comment is irrelevant or idiotic.