Word is that Unity Caucus is trying to brand the stuff Jeff Kaufman and I have been writing about the Mulgrew scandal story as "the opposition."
As I've pointed out we are not THE OPPOSITION but 2 individuals commenting - which we have the right to do, as opposed to the Unity ant hill. While I've been working with MORE (as a fairly small cog), Jeff has not been involved with MORE other than doing a joint workshop with James Eterno (who is involved) at one of MORE's events. Anyway, I have my personal opinions but also had input in this statement which represents the sentiments of the people involved in MORE. Unlike Unity, this went through a democratic process with lots of people chipping in. Ahhhh, the fresh air of democracy!
MORE Statement on Michael Mulgrew
MORE is committed to democratic, activist unionism and accountable leadership. Our members have devoted years to challenging the Unity leadership’s pattern of bargaining away our rights and calling each give-back a victory, while at the same time we do the daily work of teaching and advocating for our students and their parents. We have also opposed the undemocratic functioning of the Unity leadership which has marginalized opposition voices, discouraged membership activism, and has used its absolute control of the union machinery to foster a patronage system that rewards cronyism instead of competence.
At the same time we will not join with the New York Post in its crusade against teacher unionism because it is a campaign not just against Michael Mulgrew but against all New York City educators. The recent scandal to which the Post has dedicated at least two days of coverage is typical of the journalistic standards one would expect from a Rupert Murdoch publication. As of this writing, the Post has published no actual evidence of any wrong-doing: no witnesses to the alleged sex scandal and no testimony supporting the supposed conspiracy between Mulgrew, AFT President Randi Weingarten, and Mayor Bloomberg to cover it up.
MORE will continue to educate and organize UFT members to build a stronger, more democratic union. We note that the challenge we face is far deeper than any alleged conspiracy hatched in 2005. In fact the union leadership has negotiated concessions at least as far back as the 1995 contract — some of us trace it further back than that. We believe the answer is to build a movement of rank and file educators around an alternative vision of unionism. At no point will we make common cause with the Post or any other anti-union force, even if they happen to attack one of our partisan opponents.
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The opinions expressed on EdNotesOnline are solely those of Norm Scott and are not to be taken as official positions (though Unity Caucus/New Action slugs will try to paint them that way) of any of the groups or organizations Norm works with: ICE, GEM, MORE, Change the Stakes, NYCORE, FIRST Lego League NYC, Rockaway Theatre Co., Active Aging, The Wave, Aliens on Earth, etc.
Well stated. This is just one example of the many reasons why I am glad to be involved with MORE.
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