Those undecided or not closely aligned with any factions should hear our reasoning and concerns.
Dear Retiree Members,
This is a reminder about today's important Retiree Chapter meeting at 1 p.m. As it is a hybrid meeting, if you have not registered for in-person attendance by now, you will likely need to attend remotely.
This meeting will be critical in setting the tone for the rest of the year under Bennett and his administration. Unfortunately, bringing Marianne Pizzitola to this first meeting is a step in the wrong direction. We must ensure enough caucus members are present, especially on the floor, to represent a balanced perspective. Those undecided or not closely aligned with any factions should hear our reasoning and concerns.
If we don’t show up and make our presence felt, we risk handing over control of the Retiree Chapter's operations to a group that doesn’t reflect our values.
[Values: not running democratic meetings where even opposition gets equal time, not fighting to keep our heathcare free with no co-pays, etc.]
As Joe Sicilian said, "We might have lost the battle, but we will not lose this war."And the always hilarious Vinny:
We’re counting on the Unity Caucus to stand firm tomorrow. One important note: if Marianne starts spreading misinformation about healthcare, Medicare Advantage, or our dental plans, please call for a point of information and request input from Geoff Sorkin, who is most knowledgeable about our retiree welfare fund benefits and plans. [Question was asked and Sorkin declined to speak, referring people to see him privately - give him credit - he could read a room.]
We are excited to engage with you in person or virtually today.
In solidarity,
LeRoy Barr
Unity Caucus Chair
October 22, 2024 RETIRE CHAPTER MEETING
We UNITY chapter members are being asked to attend Retiree Chapter meetings whether in person or online as often as possible.
We are being asked to be active questioners to what is said and done during the meetings.
For those online, please don’t be afraid to write comments in the ZOOM CHAT during the meeting. I recall vividly the constant comments that Mulgrew is a liar, that Tom is a liar, etc. when Tom was chapter leader. Keep the chat box filled with comments throughout the meeting …. “He doesn’t know how to run a meeting”….“She’s lying”… “Let the audience speak” …. “Retiree Advocates are frauds” … or whatever drivel you can come up with.
As for those in attendance or online, here are some potential questions for today’s October 22 meeting. If in the audience, DON’T READ it from your phone…make it your own.
Vinny Gaglione
For Pizzatola:
I
think we should be very cautious about how we engage Pizzatola in
questions about the healthcare plan. The fact is that she knows more
than most of us and is polished and practiced in taking material and
reframing it to her points of view. The latest video of 10 minutes about
Michael demonstrates how she does it. For example, the issue of prior
authorizations, she takes the real contract and mentions 100+ citations
of prior authorization – without ever addressing what those citations
say. She mentions how during the court case AETNA agreed that there were
going to be times that they rejected a doctor’s recommendations. You
can’t argue those things with her without a battery of facts that take
so long to recite that you lose the audience before you start. Stay away
from arguing about the plan. We are not experts on it. [Holy cow Vinnie -- you guys have been defending a plan that you spent three years claiming was great - clearly you are not only not experts, you haven't reached the stage of amateur.]
Here are some questions that should be plainly asked. She may very well defer or divert with answers but that can be demonstrated later.
Are you a dues-paying union member to what city union and how many years have you been or were its member?
You harp on the UFT and its president often but he has withdrawn support for the AETNA plan. Has the president of your former union done likewise and what other unions have written letters withdrawing their union’ support for the AETNA plan? Why no mention of them? [Another deception - sure Mulgrew withdrew after defending it for three years, based on new data? No it was based on the massive RA election win. The other unions were badgered by Mulgrew to support the Aetna plan only to now see Mulgrew stab them in the back - and some of them opposed the plan all along but Mulgrew gets the lion share of the MLC vote.]
Below are the attempt at gotcha for Marianne
Other than subscribers, are there any organizations that help fund your activities?
Were there any organizations that initially funded your activities?
How much money has your organization collected each year since its inception?
Why don’t you publish your income and disbursements as the
union is required to do? [Why doesn't the UFT Welfare Fund publish it's income and disbursements?]
Are you regarded as an employee or consultant of the organization and do you receive recompense as such?[How many of your Unity retired cohorts are in some kind of paid position with the UFT?]
How much of that money did you declare for your personal income/expenses each year?
How much does your organization spend on legal costs for the court cases?
Do you have a person or group serving as a health benefit consultant for your organization? how much does it cost and who is paying for it?
For the lawyers: and if Pizzatola interjects, be willing to say, I asked the lawyer, thank you.
I read a description that the Oct 17thcase that is described as a win is merely a procedural decision and has nothing to do with the substance of the case. Why do you call it a win? Sounds like Trump describing postponements as wins.
Is the premise of the copays case that the City failed to include notice of the copays in their 2022 booklets describing the Senior Care plan?
The judge lifted his own injunction on the copays. In January they start. So what then is the purpose of the copays case? Stop all copays or just recoup the copays paid while the injunction was in effect? Or does the federal case let you get greedy and claim alleged damages?
Is the premise of your major case that the City is obliged to pay the total costs of all retiree healthcare? How does that jibe with Administrative Code 12-126 which says the city is obliged to pay the premium for the medigap plan?
Has anyone given any thought to the political wisdom of these lawsuits. Mayor Bloomberg withheld negotiating contracts with us for 7 years because the union refused to negotiate health care premiums for members. It sounds like some retirees believe that the city has to pay all their healthcare costs. That has never been the case. What happens when the next “Mayor Bloomberg” exploits citizen sentiment against us for grossly mischaracterizing what the city must do for us?
For Benett Fischer:
Why
would you not spend the first chapter meeting introducing yourself and
your Executive Board and talking about your plans for the chapter’s
future? [ Plans for the chapter future? Make sure not to run RTC meetings like Unity did.]
Your invitation to Ms. Pizzatola leaves the direct impression that her public support for Retiree Advocates makes it seem you are beholden to her. She is not a UFT member. Her intrusion in our election and your accepting it was unethical.
There are several thousands of retirees who take advantage, no pun intended, of other health plans offered by the city. Some of them are Advantage Plans. Is it the intention of the chapter to remove these members from the plans that they prefer or remove the plans?
What plans do you have for any changes in the chapter’s activities and programs?
Please describe the process by which motion and other actions will be entertained at meeting.
Are you a dues-paying union member to what city union and how many years have you been or were its member? Is Vinny Gaglione that uninformed to be clueless that the majority of unions other than the UFT do not require their retirees to pay dues? As a matter of fact, the UFT, local 2, may be the only union within NYSUT that requires its retirees to pay dues for the privilege to pay monthly premiums for SHIP, the catastrophic plan, and other NYSUT so called benefits. Another way to suck money out of UFT retirees to keep the patronage pot filled to the brim.
ReplyDelete"Are you a dues-paying union member to what city union and how many years have you been or were its member? " Is Vinny Gaglione that uninformed to not know that the majority of NYC unions do not ask their retirees to pay dues? The UFT may well be the only NYSUT local that requires their retirees to pony up dues to then pay a monthly premium to access SHIP, the catastrophic plan, and other NYSUT so called benefits. CSA, another union that does require their retirees to lay dues offers their own far better version of the above mentioned plans at zero cost to both rank and file and retirees. The UFT sucks money out of their retirees to keep the patronage pot filled.
ReplyDeleteThe Uft does not force Retirees to pay a dues. That is illegal.. You are 100% correct that they tie a you are 100% correct that they tie a health benefit to keep you connected, and they also don’t tell you it’s optional. under New York State law, you are no longer a union member. You are member of a Retiree chapter. The union can no longer represent you. Under the New York State law unions can only represent those with wages hours and work conditions in their units. You don’t have any of those and you are not in their unit. so many people are unaware of this. Your retiree dues supports and loyalty. Your Retiree chapter your union no longer has any legal responsibility to you. However, that said unions always protected. Retirees benefits from being diminished because they knew that until 2014 when they seem to forget.
ReplyDeleteKeep holding them accountable!
Fascinating! I didn’t know any of that legalese. Thanks!
Deletesays the union buster from her “Non profit” organizatiom who “hires” lawyers to “fight” for retirees. I bet those lawyers are being paid top dollar from other groups that are hiding behind FDNY as a cover.
Delete@Marianne et al: I should have been more precise. The UFT does not MAKE retirees pay dues, but to have access to NYSUT benefits that require a monthly premium in addition to payment of dues, a retiree must pay dues. That is a requirement that is up to the individual NYSUT local. In this instance, local 2, the UFT does require their retirees to pay dues for access to these benefits. It’s possible that the UFT, local 2, is the only NYS AFT local that makes this requirement. NYSUT will not reveal if there are other NYS locals that suck money from their retirees in this way. Vinny Gaglione, can you get this information for us?
DeleteAhhh... Tethering a health benefit to membership. a double whammy. I understand there is one or two others that offer the benefit without the added cost. I'll look into that further.
DeleteAnd if you are the anon post from 1:26, WE ARE UNION! ALL non profits have lawyers - we can't sue the city to protect the rights of the victims without them! Hiding behind FDNY?? What the heck does that mean? One lawyer is FORMERLY AN FDNY UNION FIREFIGHTER! I guess have a masters makes you book smart, not common sense smart. Oye. Focus on the fact that the Manhattan Supreme Court and the Appeals Court found this scheme orchestrated by the City and some union leaders was ILLEGAL. That really should be your focus. Justice has been served -
I was not overwhelmed by Ms. Pizzitola's address at yesterday's RTC Chapter meeting. I also inferred a tone of arrogance or anger for which I know no reason. Her organization needed a more thorough introduction, especially a list of its funding sources. While Brother Bennett has the right to invite whomever he believes may add to our meetings, we members have the right to know who stands before us.
ReplyDeleteOur organization publishes its 990s.
DeleteOur funding comes from no companies and only unions and retirees and retirees clubs of of city retirees in true grass roots style. What is so shocking? We are like a real union representing their members.
You have lawyers. Do you know how much your union paid YOUR LAWYERS?? How many MILLIONS? You want me to to tell you? And they used that money to fight their own people! Shocking.
What’s even more stunning is that the Manhattan Supreme Court and the Appeals Court agreed with us 10 times that what your leadership did in the MLC violates our rights under the law and what was promised to retirees. Yet you curiously attack the victims not the perpetrators. 🙄
Why?
I did not attack anyone because I speak to my sister and brother UFT members. To question is not to attack as teachers know or should know. Ms. Pizzitola's diction is defensive or provocative. I am the UFT member, not she.
DeleteI will never use anonymous. I want to diminish the hostility which now defines communication among our UFT groups by letting others know exactly who I am and what I think.
Does Ms. Pizzitola's motivation to assist the UFT retirees extend to our active service members? Will she encourage the RTC to insert itself into the May elections? Does Ms. Pizzitola intend to work towards the defeat of Brother President Michael Mulgrew? Remember, these are questions not attacks.
As a famous radio talk jockey used to say, the only dumb question is the question not asked. I didn't realize until now that Norm would deny us now what he always claims was denied to him....questions!
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't a question that was suggested that was either inappropriate or insincere. Regarding each of the three speakers, the least well known is Ms. Pizzatola and her organization. For Norm who claims to want transparency, why not from her and about her organization. She made herself and the organization public figures, so to speak. If you know the answers, Norm, then you tell us.
In one of my questions I make note of the seeming impression among some among us that health care should be totally underwritten out of the city coffers. I think that we need to be financially literate about what we are asking for. As a union we have to take note that many city taxpayers do not have the health benefits that we do. I fear the next "Mayor Bloomberg" who might more adeptly than the original turn citizens against retirees, many no longer living in NYC, for the benefits we have. The city coffers are not bottomless and, yes, it is my belief that as citizens and pensioners we share in fiduciary responsibilities. Norm, you may believe otherwise, but my questions seek to expose facts that reveal intentions. The only dumb question is the one not asked.
Vincent - the law says THE CITY WILL PAY THE FULL COST OF HEALTH COVERAGE UP TO THE HIP HMO FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE, RETIREE AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. The Hip HMO is over $1k individual. The senior care is just over $200. Guess what that means?
DeleteAlso, YOU AND THE RTC are NOT a union nor are you legally represented by the UFT. UNDER THE TAYLOR LAW, the union can only represent those in their unit for wages, hours and work conditions. YOU NO LONGER HAVE THOSE!!
I’m shocked to see some need more of an introduction of who I am or the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees as you have been attacking me for three years. But if you and Joe Sicilian have amnesia, www.nycretirees.org is our website. We have been in the news from Crains, Politico, Kaiser, NY Times, NY Daily News, The Focus and more. I have a labor radio show and write a labor column periodically.
I have a labor relations degree and have been doing pensions and benefits for over 25 years. So tell Barbara Waldmann I know what I am talking about. She may listen to you. Since none of you are listening me, our attorneys, the courts or the 10 judges who have repeatedly found your leadership broke the law.
But keep defending him and keep trying to privatize Medicare… that’s straight out of Project 2025 🤦🏽♀️
As a famous radio talk jockey used to say, the only dumb question is the question not asked. I didn't realize until now that Norm would deny us now what he always claims was denied to him....questions!
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't a question that was suggested that was either inappropriate or insincere. Regarding each of the three speakers, the least well known is Ms. Pizzatola and her organization. For Norm who claims to want transparency, why not from her and about her organization. She made herself and the organization public figures, so to speak. If you know the answers, Norm, then you tell us.
In one of my questions I make note of the seeming impression among some among us that health care should be totally underwritten out of the city coffers. I think that we need to be financially literate about what we are asng for. As a union we have to take note that many city taxpayers do not have the health benefits that we do. I fear the next "Mayor Bloomberg" who might more adeptly than the original turn citizens against retirees, many no longer living in NYC, for the benefits we have. The city coffers are not bottomless and, yes, it is my belief that as citizens and pensioners we share in fiduciary responsibilities. Norm, you may believe otherwise, but my questions seek to expose facts that reveal intentions. The only dumb question is the one not asked.
Most normal people would have a modicum of shame after being publicly exposed conspiring in such a sleazy manner. This is an affront to, not only our elected body, but to every retiree in the Uft. Unity seems to think all of us are very stupid and treat us that way at every opportunity. Everyone I know will be voting not just in the presidential election, but also in the next Uft election.
ReplyDeleteClearly asking labor people in front of us in our union hall how much they're making is the new “civility”.
ReplyDeleteI think that question should be asked in fairness of the UFT officials who address us moving forward. Especially those who compel us procedurally to vote on their resolutions. Maybe ask who funds any political affiliations they are tied to, including their caucus.
Do we get to ask Governor Hochul next time these same questions posed by Unity acolytes when she comes to our union hall? Or any other political candidate we’re told we have endorsed?
Did I deny you questions Vinny? I would have stayed all day to debate but your leader was waiting to speak and when we asked about extending our meetings past 3 we were told NO. And how about the little extras our union leaders get beyond the UFT? NYSUT and AFT. Let us ask Vinny - do get any money from the UFT?
ReplyDeleteI OPENLY welcome a debate with Michael Mulgrew and Vinny Gaglione and LeROy Barr over the Aetna Contract. Let's do it! Michael had the audacity to say he was not scheming behind my back, but we learn 24 hours later his own secretary of his union leadership and former Health Committee chair orchestrated an plan to attack me and our highly educated established, skilled trial and appellate lawyer. Jake represents corporations and individuals in civil, criminal, and regulatory matters. He has considerable experience managing internal and government investigations and complex commercial disputes, as well as briefing and arguing civil and criminal appeals. He is outside counsel to the Uniformed Fire Officers Association - a NYC Union. He is a Stanford and Yale graduate.
ReplyDeleteThe way some retired teachers and staffers treated him is disgraceful.
It says a lot that Retiree Advocate won and Mulgrew and Unity still live rent free in so many self proclaimed oppo minds. The day after the meeting Arthur published another post railing against Unity members. He is part of the elected leadership of the RTC now - seems like he has an axe to grind. And don’t get me started about those stupid Ai generated pics of Mulgrew Daniel has been making.
ReplyDeleteJonathan’s report seemed more serious not to mention accurate. Bennett was a class act (as always).