Increasing support seen for this week's Fight Back Friday events from the UFT with signs some schools are encouraged to go further.There are signs that the UFT, feeling boxed in on the ed evaluation issue, is beginning to strike out at WalBloom in various disruptive ways. Some speculate the militant activities of the people who have challenged the leaders is pushing the leadership. Some say they have reached a level of frustration and are just striking out to make a point.
There was the hastily called action at last week's PEP (UFT members protest at PEP meeting, then walk out en masse), with robo-calls to members that didn't have much impact but the union brought out its loyalist Unity Caucus honchos to create various disruptions at the meeting before walking out (it was interesting to see our crew from GEM/TU/NYCORE/ODOE/ICE standing shoulder to shoulder with them).
Then there was there confrontation between Walcott and UFT Queens borough rep Rona Freiser along with Dermot Smyth at the PS 215 closing school hearing Friday night (Walcott Takes Heat From Parents, Teachers and UFT Officials at Contentious Closing School Hearing (PS 215) in Rockaway).
where they followed my suggestion to use mic check to get their point across when Walcott didn't let then speak. His "this is not a UFT chapter meeting" comment is priceless and an indication of how own growing frustration at being thrust into being the front man for a sinking operation by Bloomberg to rescue him from the Cathie Black debacle (which Walcott and the PEP supported all the way).
Now today a phone call comes in from a SIG school that the level of militancy is rising to a fevered pitch with indications that the UFT is pushing things such as calling for assistance from Occupy DOE to use mic check when confronting DOE officials, who always like to play the innocent "don't kill the messenger" role while putting the knife in your back.
Well, apparently, some teachers are pissed off enough to want to kill the messenger. We will report details --- maybe with some video --- if things break.
If the leadership actually releases its Unity chapter chair people (who often try to hold the most militant people back) to take things to another level we may see it as a temporary way of getting Tweed's attention by turning up the heat.
In the past, the UFT was telling its people to avoid our branded FBF events, even changing the term to Friday Fight Back. But I'm beginning to hear a different tune emerging. There is not question a greater sense of urgency and militancy is emerging (later I'll tell you about the amazing group of parents I met on Sunday at our film showing).
Here is an email from a John Dewey teacher:
STOP SCHOOL CLOSINGS!
Please support our schools as the DOE tries to get rid of committed, experienced staff, close schools, and bust the union. If anyone can attend the community meetings where the superintendents come into the school and only report the negative data about our schools. We need support. Get involved. FDR is having their meeting Monday, Tomorrow at 5:30. Dewey is having ours on Tuesday at 5:30. Post any others so we can all support each other and call 311 and talk to someone who can log your call as you voice your opinion of these school closings and the job Bloomberg and Walcott are doing.
Also, attend the Fight Back Friday Rallies if you can. Dewey is having one every Friday. Details to follow.
Thanks,
In Solidarity,
xxxxx xxxxx
Dewey Teacher
Here is our FBF announcement:
School Closings, Increased Charter Co-locations, Larger Classes, Merit Pay, Firing Half the Staff at 33 Schools AND A Flawed Teacher Evaluation System...The Education Mayor?It's time for the first Fight Back Friday of 2012(soon to be occupy Friday??)THIS FRIDAY: JAN 27th:PROTEST OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR SCHOOL!
LEAFLET AROUND YOUR SCHOOL!
OR JUST......
WEAR BLACK!
Fliers and stickers and such to follow.PLEASE FORWARD AND POST EVERYWHERE!!Please respond to this email or email:if you think your school might participate.Or to ask for more info or help in planning an action.We want to get coverage for all the actions and let the public know that parents and teachers are fighting back!Last spring over 50 schools participated on several Fridays. It’s a great way to build solidarity among your staff, reach out to parents and students and to begin to create the coordinated city-wide effort we all know is needed.It is time for rank and file teachers, parents and our students to move towards becoming ungovernable.Mayoral control, the attacks on our livelihoods, and on our students' education will not end simply because we want them to.It will take mass mobilization at the school and city-wide level.We need to end the privatization of Public Education through charters and merit pay!End the destructing of education through the abuse of high stakes testing!Say NO to school turn-arounds that will destroy school communities, our student's education and the lives and careers of our colleagues.WE MUST DEMAND AN END TO MAYORAL CONTROL!PARENTS AND EDUCATORS MUST HAVE A CONTROLLING VOICE IN EDUCATION!JOIN SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE CITY ON JAN 27TH!And please let us know that you will be participating!Here are some times articles covering FBF in the past. We have had lots of other coverage as well.And the FBF Blog from John Dewey HS.They have an action planned for this Friday as well.in solidaritysamfor the rank and file Fight Back Friday committee
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Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/. And make sure to check out the side panel on the right for important bits.
1 comment:
So many times I've raised my hopes that Unity would finally draw some type of line in the sand. It will never happen. Mulgrew acts like there is no problem and fully supports the evaluation system and Cuomo. There will be no serious action. I wish it weren't so but it is. Wait until they announce any day now that a deal has been brokered and we won.
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