Layoffs in Newark and Jaisal Noor: Video on Ras Baraka Election in Newark

A mayoral election in Newark becomes a battle for the soul of the city...

Jaisal Noor, The Real News, delivers - as usual.

Newark may be a future model for the NYC school system despite the Baraka win, who in the New Yorker article admitted he was for a bunch of ed deform - like ending tenure. Who knows what is really where he stands?

But also note the message from the Newark Teachers Union regarding upcoming layoffs.

http://youtu.be/NqPh2feNiGs

Bob Braun's Ledger

Cami cuts 500 jobs - State-appointed Newark schools superintendent Cami Anderson is cutting some 500 jobs, including 200 teaching positions, 200 central office employees, and...

Subject: To All Members: Layoff and Position Cuts

Colleagues,

Today, Newark Teachers Union leadership met with the district and other union leaders to discuss potential position cuts and layoffs.  While nothing was finalized, we were given "worst case scenario" numbers.  Understand that these numbers are positions, they are not necessarily actual physical staff that will be terminated.  There are vacancies that the district will not be filling, including staff who are retiring.  It is important to note that ALL LAYOFFS WILL BE DONE FOLLOWING TENURE AND SENIORITY LAWS!

The district has said that they may be cutting up to 93 non-instructional (aide and clerk) positions. 

`This plan MUST be approved by Civil Service, and senority will be followed in any layoffs. The time line is as follows:

- The district will submit a layoff plan on approximately May 20^th to Civil Service. Civil Service typically responds within 30 days. 

- The district will send out "45 day notice" letters to impacted staff on approximately June 24.

- The layoffs would go into effect August 15.

In addition, the district has said there may be up to 200 cuts to Instructional positions.  This includes 104 non-tenured staff who have already received non-reoffering letters.  This number also includes vacancies the district will not be filling, including staff who are retiring.  Again, any cuts to instructional positions will be done following tenure and seniority laws.

As we get more information about specific titles or positions that may be cut, we will reach out to those groups to discuss actions that will be taken.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at 973-643-8430 or email Mike Maillaro at mmaillaro@ntuaft.com

In solidarity,

John M Abeigon
Director of Organization

Newark Teachers Union,
Local 481, A.F.T., AFL-CIO

And note the New Caucus event:

NEW Caucus invited you to

Rally to Stop One Newark Plan

Tue, May 20, 2014 at 04:00 PM

Where:
Broad St & Raymond Blvd

Newark NEW Caucus Update: The Mis-Adventures of Cami Anderson

After working for Joel Klein in New York, Newark Supt hand-picked by those paragon of virtues, the 2 Chrises -- Christie and Cerf -- continues her path of destruction.

Once again, there was LOTS of news this week.  

 

The BEST news of the week.  We warn you, it's 35 pages, but, we urge ALL concerned about public education in Newark to read it word for word.  It's a thorough analysis from Rutgers Professor of Education Bruce Baker and Mark Weber, Rutgers PhD student and aka Jersey Jazzman.  It challenges the "process" by which Anderson chose which schools were to be closed, and analyzes precisely WHY charter schools have gotten the undeserved reputation as superior to traditional public schools.  Please read!

http://njedpolicy.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/weber-baker_onenewark_jan24_20142.pdf

 

Some news from our antagonists and some other generally bad news:

1)  Two articles from folks who truly represent the corporate education "reform" agenda.  One from the Star-Ledger demonstrating its completely undeterred support for Cami Anderson and her agenda.  The second is from Mashea Ashton, the CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund.  Obviously, they are frustrating to read, but worth it anyway to understand their lies.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2014/01/no_time_for_nostalgia_cami_and.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mashea-ashton/innovative-enrollment-initiative-gives-students-real-choices_b_4557301.html

2)  Two NJ Spotlight items, one article on school closings, the other a visual showing the length of the school day throughout New Jersey.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/16/fight-over-school-closings-heads-to-legislative-arena/

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/16/length-of-school-day/

3)  Another, slightly more important article from NJ Spotlight, this one about a new bill in the NJ Statehouse that would help charters expand even further with more state aid!  

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/21/assemblyman-unveils-much-anticipated-charter-bill/

4)  Here is an interesting story from NJ Politicker about the Newark mayoral race.  It's informative on a number of levels, but in our view mostly because it shows how Shavar Jeffries is clearly viewed by corporate interests as the number one choice.  In other words, for them he is the person to fill the shoes of their beloved Cory Booker.  We all know what that means...

http://www.politickernj.com/71028/newark-volatility-establishment-pressures-mount-mayoral-candidate-ramos#ixzz2rDb4FTJT

Now, a few pieces of news you make like (we do!):

5)  Website of an educators caucus in Seattle who we met this summer in Chicago.  They are trying to change their union there, just as we are here.  Check them out!

http://socialequalityeducators.org/

6)  For obvious reasons, we really like this one.  WBAI 99.5 (New York's excellent independent radio station) aired an entire segment on the battle for public education in Newark.  They interviewed a number of Newark activists, including Annette Alston of the NTA and Ras Baraka, but also NEW Caucus vice chair Branden Rippey!  It was a good program, and can be listened to at this link until Thursday.  The program is about an hour.  

Look for Education at the Crossroads, and click Play!

http://wbai.org/server-archive.html#archives

That's all for now...

See you all Tuesday!

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

 

BECOME A MEMBER! CLICK HERE

862-367-9211 

Facebook.com/NEWCaucus

Twitter.com/NEWCaucus

YouTube.com/user/NEWCaucus

Google Calendar: NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus@gmail.com

Klein Klone Kami Gets Pushback Over Attack on Public Education in Newark

Cami Anderson, the new Michelle Rhee, is trying to pull off massive destruction of Newark public school system. Is Anderson real or just a marionette whose strings are being pulled by ed deformers behind a curtain?

From NEW Caucus:

ESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY AT WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL!

-  Fight School Closings/Renews/Charters

-  11am, Weequahic High School, 279 Chancellor Ave., Newark, 07112.

We know most of you will be in school working hard, but if not, please join the education workers and community to defend historic Weequahic High.

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

And the Star Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/12/baraka_community_leaders_to_rally_in_protest_of_newark_school_closings.html

Baraka, community leaders to rally in protest of Newark school closings

By David Giambusso/The Star-Ledger

on December 19, 2013 at 2:20 PM, updated December 19, 2013 at 4:19 PM

Newark Mayoral Candidate Ras Baraka is organizing a rally to protest changes to Newark schools announced this week.Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger 

NEWRK — Newark mayoral candidate and South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka is heading up a rally Friday morning to protest a major overhaul of Newark public schools announced this week by Superintendent Cami Anderson.

The plan, which met with a raucous reception at a school board meeting this week, would increase the presence of charter schools by expanding them into district-owned buildings.

Anderson plans to convert three elementary schools into early childhood centers, relocate five schools to under-utilized facilities and transform three comprehensive high schools into smaller academies. The goal, Anderson said, is to improve local options for all residents.

"You should have options for great schools in your neighborhood or ward," Anderson said this week. "How do we get to that day faster and in every ward? We're jump-starting change."
But community members in the state-run district routinely accuse Anderson of shuttering neighborhood schools in order to expand charters.
"Baraka will discuss how the plan will further damage Newark’s public and charter schools with an onslaught of unproven “reforms” that violate charter school guidelines and practices, close traditional public schools, and virtually eliminate parental involvement," read a statement from the Baraka campaign.

The rally will be held in front of Weequahic High School — one of the schools set to be eliminated and remade as two single-sex academies — Friday at 11 a.m.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Newark school restructuring includes plans to put charters in district buildings

Newark Teachers Union Update: President Del Grosso Boycotts Ex Bd as Attempt to Bar Newly Elected Fails

Even when you win they try to make you lose. For those that aren't aware, NEW now controls a majority of seats on the EB and Del Grasso only won by 9 votes. Good for NEW Caucus for handing this professionally. Two background reports from Ed Notes:

NEW Caucus Shakes the Union Election Tree in ...

Jun 25, 2013

Newark Teacher Union Election News UPDATED

And this:  GREAT piece written by our friend Lois Weiner (author of The Future of Our Schools:

Teachers Unions and Social Justice) a co-authored by a few rank-and-file teachers.

http://njtoday.net/2013/08/02/opinion-who-will-own-our-schools/ 

I hope to meet some of our NEW colleagues in Chicago this weekend.

All,

THANK YOU to all who came out last Tuesday (July 30) to the NTU Executive Board meeting.  

At least 15 NTU members showed up, and a number actually spoke up and participated, sharing both feelings about the NTU, and offering suggestions and proposals for change.

This was GREAT!  We hope MORE will come out and participate in the future.  The more NTU members come out, pay attention, and get involved, the stronger we will be.  

Details:

The meeting was both tense and productive at the same time.  

President Joe Del Grosso, after calling the meeting in early July, attempted to cancel it on the morning of July 29.  But the majority of Executive Board members convened anyway.

President Del Grosso did not attend the meeting, and some NTU staff attempted to keep newly elected E-Board members from entering the building, and attempted to stop the group from meeting.  Once inside, however, a quorum of the E-Board DID meet and conduct a 

meeting.  

One new motion was passed, extending the two motions passed by the quorum of E-Board 

members at the June swearing in.  It is a motion setting a calendar of dates for Executive Board meetings for the upcoming year.  The motion reads:

“Per the June 28 motion to establish a calendar of Executive Board meetings, that NTU President use every Wednesday AFTER NPS Advisory Board Business Meetings as the meeting dates for NTU Executive Board,  beginning at 5 pm, to be amended as necessary."

Dates are as follows:

2013   September 11

            October 9

            November 13

            December 11

2014            January 8

            February 12

            March 12

            April 9

            May 14

            June 11

            July 9

While these dates have not yet been agreed to by President Del Grosso, the quorum of E-Board members in attendance were unanimous in their support for the motion and dates.  

After that motion was debated and passed, the Executive Board had a general discussion of

issues that they hoped to address, and members (non-E-Board members) contributed to the discussion.  

In conclusion:

If these dates hold, they will be the first time in years (probably more than a decade) that the NTU Executive Board has had a monthly schedule of when meetings will occur, and that those meetings will be openly advertised to the membership so that members may attend and speak.

A HUGE STEP FORWARD!  

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus.com

862-367-9211 

Facebook.com/NEWCaucus

Twitter.com/NEWCaucus

YouTube.com/user/NEWCaucus

Google Calendar: NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus@gmail.com

Newark's NEW Caucus on Chicago Layoffs

Some of them were union activists, trying to make their public schools and their union better.... NEW Caucus

The Chicago layoff story while hiring Teach For America scabs (Mark Naison: Teach for America-Our Modern Day Pinkertons) is a declaration of nuclear war.

RBE did a good job the other day in branding Rahm Emanuel a murderer (Rahm Emanuel's School Closings Put Children's Live). In a fair society Rhambo would be on death row, along with his pals who murder innocent civilians (Obama: I Could Be My Own Drone Bombing Victim.)

NEW Caucus, which basically won the Newark union elections last month, is predicting that Cami Anderson will be doing her own version of Rhambo next year once Rosemary's Randi's baby -- the contract she brokered -- hits full force.

Despite it being the summer, NEW Caucus has been busy.  More on that in a later email...

But for now, we wanted to share some recent articles that are relevant to all Newark education workers and public education in general.  So those articles are toward the bottom.

But the huge, terrible news today is what has been taking place in Chicago since Friday.

Chicago has begun laying off 2,100 education

workers!!!  MANY OF THEM ARE (were) TENURED!  

Some of them were union activists, trying to make their public schools and their union better.  

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-19/news/chi-cps-more-layoffs-coming-20130718_1_pension-reform-cps-new-teachers-contract

PLEASE READ!  This is what is coming to Newark!  We have already heard rumors that because our Superintendent did not close any schools this past year (an election year for her employer) she WILL close schools in large numbers next year if Christie wins a second term.    

Newark education workers MUST begin mobilizing to protect our students, our public schools, our city, and our profession!  

The corporate education reformers are willing to destroy schools, communities, student lives, and 

the lives of education workers in their push for markets and profit.  

It's up to US to stop them.

Below are more articles, further driving home the damage caused by the corporate "reform" agenda:

1)  article on Philly school closings.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/education/budget-cuts-reach-bone-for-philadelphia-schools.html?emc=eta1

2)  Jersey City Public Schools outsourcing substitutes.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/07/jersey_city_schools_to_outsource_substitute_teachers_at_4m_cost.html

3)  Corporate reformer push to "reform" schools of education.

 http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/07/09/alternative-grad-school-raises-concerns-about-who-s-teaching-nj-s-teachers/

and another critiquing the "reform" agenda for schools of education.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/are-schools-of-education-_b_3563103.html

4)  GREAT article on the disruptive and negative results of "renew" or "turnaround" schools

in Washington, DC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/with-reconstitution-dc-officials-hope-for-school-turnaround/2013/06/10/9c998a44-cb0a-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

 

NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus.com

862-367-9211 

Facebook.com/NEWCaucus

Twitter.com/NEWCaucus

YouTube.com/user/NEWCaucus

Google Calendar: NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus@gmail.com

Newark Teacher Union Election News UPDATED

Unfortunately, President Del Grosso was not in attendance [at the swearing in] , so the date could not be set. ... NEW Caucus report

....the Newark contract deal was celebrated by Republican Governor Chris Christie and by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who called the deal “a system of the future” and an example “that collective bargaining really works.” In contrast, Rippey [Del Grosso's opponent] told The Nation that the deal “basically is a complete capitulation to the corporate agenda.” ... The Nation

Shamelessly currying favor with Cory Booker and Chris Christie, Weingarten used the national union's resources to push Newark teachers and kids under the bus. In this election of officers, NTU members pushed back. But don't be surprised if Weingarten sees the handwriting on the wall and tries to make nice with New Visions.... Quite an accomplishment for a caucus that really began to pick up steam only after AFT President Randi Weingarten used the national union's organizers to push acceptance of contract that strips Newark education workers of their most basic rights as professionals and workers......Lois Wiener, New Politics

Let's watch this one play out with a president who won by only 9 votes (with 40 going to a 3rd party candidate) while New Visions controls the Exec Bd. Keep in mind that Newark is one of the only New Jersey AFT affiliated locals, which given Randi's work in negotiating the contract might lead to some interesting national repercussions.

The Nation has a piece on this belle weather teacher union election :

Newark Union Head Barely Wins Re-Election After Zuckerberg-Donation-Funded Reform Plan | The Nation

And Ed Notes has been reporting over the last week:

• Analysis from the Right: EIA's Antonucci on Newark...
• NEW Caucus Shakes the Union Election Tree in Newar...
   

Lois Weiner at New Politics has a piece:


From NEW Caucus:

On Friday new Executive Board members (also known as Vice-Presidents) were sworn in at the NTU hall!

THANKS to all who came out to see this important moment and show support for the newly elected VP's.  It was a great show of solidarity and positivity within the Newark Teachers Union!  

2 major pieces of information about what happened at the meeting:

1)  For the first time in at least 16 years, there are Vice-Presidents who are not members of Joe Del Grosso's SAC slate.  17 (of 18 elected) NEW Vision slate candidates were sworn in.  It was a great moment for democracy in the Newark Teachers Union.  

2)  Newly sworn in NEW Vision slate members requested the date for the  July Executive Board meeting.  The NTU By-Laws require that the Executive- Board meet monthly at the call of the President. Unfortunately, President Del Grosso was not in attendance, so the date could not be set.  We were assured by Eugene Liss, the NTU attorney, that the secretary would pass the request on to the President so that he can set a date for the meeting in late July.

     NEW Caucus will send out the date the moment we know it.  

     BUT, even more significant, and despite the fact that this was officially a full membership meeting, the quorum of Executive Board members in attendance proposed and voted on two motions that may begin the process of democratizing the Executive Board and encouraging membership interest in the workings of the Board.  

     Below are the two motions, BOTH OF WHICH WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY by the quorum of Vice-Presidents in attendance.  Both were read proposed by VP Al Moussab.  

     I move that the President create a calendar of monthly Executive Board meetings and quarterly general membership meetings for the 2013-2014 school year that will be emailed to all NTU members as well as uploaded on the NTU website and placed on all NTU bulletin boards in every school by the first day of school.  

     I move that all Executive Board meeting minutes as well as general membership meeting

minutes are emailed to all NTU members as well as uploaded on the NTU website for all 

members to access within 2 days after the meeting.  

It now remains for President Del Grosso to thoroughly implement these 2 motions.  The newly elected Vice-Presidents will work hard throughout the summer to ensure the July meeting takes place, and that these 2 motions are implemented completely.

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus.com

862-367-9211 

Facebook.com/NEWCaucus

Twitter.com/NEWCaucus

YouTube.com/user/NEWCaucus

Google Calendar: NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus@gmail.com

Positive winds of change in Newark NJ public schools

Lois Weiner

June 30, 2013

A reform caucus in the Newark Teachers Union (NTU)  made remarkable gains in the union election that ended on Friday.  Out of about 3000 members eligible to vote, 1200 NTU members cast their ballots.  (Sadly, that proportion is about par for US unions.) The New Visions candidate for President lost by only 9 votes to the long-time chief, Joe Del Grosso, who will now serve his 10th two-year term.  New Visions won 18 of 29 slots on the Executive Board, giving this vibrant, multi-racial slate of reformers a majority. Quite an accomplishment for a caucus that really began to pick up steam only after AFT President Randi Weingarten used the national union's organizers to push acceptance of contract that strips Newark education workers of their most basic rights as professionals and workers.  Shamelessly currying favor with Cory Booker and Chris Christie, Weingarten used the national union's resources to push Newark teachers and kids under the bus. In this election of officers, NTU members pushed back. But don't be surprised if Weingarten sees the handwriting on the wall and tries to make nice with New Visions. Still, I'm confident New Visions won't be snookered. This savvy group of activists are building the union at the school site, working with parents and students, democratizing the union to "give Newark students schools they deserve." New Visions understands that the future of their union - and public education - requires a different kind of teacher unionism - and union leadership.  And they're poised to provide it.

The Nation article:

Analysis from the Right: EIA's Antonucci on Newark Union Election/ What Impact on Randi Nationally as Arbiter of Contract?

Schmuck, why aren't retirees voting in Newark like they do in NYC? .... Mulgrew/Weingarton to Newark Union President Del Grosso

...it isn’t a good idea for education reformers to invest too much emotional capital in collaborative union presidents. Most members are apathetic/agnostic about this stuff – about two-thirds of Newark teachers didn’t vote – but the active ones are generally very clear about what they want from their union: protection. When the officers start wandering far afield, they are herded in one way or another.... Educational Intelligence Agency

First of all, happy first day of vacation. Warning: not only are the days getting shorter every day, so does your vacation. (I'm a glass half full kind of guy.)

We reported on the New Caucus, running under the New Visions slate (NEW Caucus Shakes the Union Election Tree in Newark), winning a majority of the Ex Bd seats and only losing the presidency by 9 votes. The Newark contract brokered by Randi was another in a long line of interventions on her part (Detroit, Washington DC, Baltimore) where money was put on the table to lure teachers into giving up their basic rights and then showing buyer's remorse in the next contract.

(Sorry I have to use an old photoshopped version done for me by David Bellel -- though I managed to add Newark to it. I think a new version could put Randi on the cycle with Arne Duncan.)

See our April 22 post: Randi Sellout Tour Coming to Fruition in Newark.

Only Chicago had the chops to keep Randi out.

I will deal with national implications within the AFT for Randi at next July's convention in LA in another post.

Can New York be next in terms of a contract that so enrages the members that they revolt against Unity? Or has the UFT basically given us a new contract through the King dictum but has obfuscated the issue by not holding a contract vote and also distracting the members with the lure of the upcoming mayoral election and how when they get rid of Bloomberg things will improve.

[Another post for the future though given the Unity plus retiree control NYC will be the last bastion and in fact the deformers may recognize that and will give the UFT enough crumbs to keep the rank and file under control -- ie, Thompson will come through with some bucks.]

Though coming at the issue from an anti-union bias, Mike Antonucci zooms in on some important points. His key point is that "the active ones are generally very clear about what they want from their union: protection."

But Antonucci ignores an important point about NEW Caucus being more than just protection, but social justice along the lines of Chicago and other cities that have seen the growth of caucuses challenging a collaborationist union leadership on ed deform.

Interesting in that we have been having that debate in MORE where some people think MORE has gotten lost in social justice issues and has not emphasized the protection aspect enough. This is a more nuanced discussion than one would think on the surface as most MOREistas think the long-term protection comes from the building of alliances based on social justice. My feeling is that the rhetoric, given the newness of MORE, has not quite been balanced.

But I should point out that NEW Caucus is as social justicey as MORE if not more so. Thus those internal critics who say that if only MORE abandoned social justice they would have done much better in the union elections have a lot of splaining to do.

Let's also point out that one third of the teachers in Newark voted while only 18% of classroom teachers voted here -- I don't have figures for Newark classroom teachers vs overall but it must be higher. And interesting there was a 3rd candidate for President who got 40 votes which if it had gone to New Visions would have given them the entire enchilada.

Below is Mike's complete analysis where he issues a warning of sorts to ed defomers: don't wast your time trying to woo union leaders to collaborate. He may be right. That's how you end up dealing with Karen Lewis instead of Michael Mulgrew.

Tenuous Union Reform

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 11:03 AM PDT

Joseph Del Grosso, the president of the Newark Teachers Union for 18 years, has received national attention because his views on education reform have evolved from his early days. He negotiated a contract that included performance and differential pay, though he continued to battle district administrators over the budget.

Well, Del Grosso was up for re-election, and he won his 10th term… by 9 votes out of 1209 cast. His slate no longer holds a majority on the union’s executive board, and the 40 votes that went to a third candidate could have swung the election the other way.

Del Grosso’s opposition was the New Vision slate, which won a majority on the board, and whose manifesto you can read here. A sliver should suffice for summary:

For true social and economic justice to be realized in our time it is imperative for education workers to see that their efforts cannot stop when the school day ends. As powerful corporate forces and the politicians who benefit from their donations attack the working class, we must take affirmative steps to link our teachers’ union to other unions being attacked and to working class people in the city and beyond whose very livelihoods are at stake in this so-called era of austerity.

This is the wayof things in teachers’ unions, and has been for a long time (see “TURN Leader Turned Out” from 2006). That’s why it isn’t a good idea for education reformers to invest too much emotional capital in collaborative union presidents. Most members are apathetic/agnostic about this stuff – about two-thirds of Newark teachers didn’t vote – but the active ones are generally very clear about what they want from their union: protection. When the officers start wandering far afield, they are herded in one way or another.

Newark Union Election: NEW Vision Opposed by Randi/Unity SAC Slate

NEW Vision exposes the SAC (of you know what) slate which is similar to Unity here and the Chicago crew that opposed CORE which was also attacked by the ed deform press just as NEW Visions is attacked by Star Ledger. SAC (of you know what) followed the team of Randi Weingarten and Klein disciple and now Newark Supe Cami Anderson, a TFA ed deformer supremo. (You know the old saying -- lie down in a SAC of you know what and get fleas -- not to insult fleas.)

We wrote about the bad deal Randi sold to the teachers back in October (Newark Contract: Weingarten is a Serial Pusher of ...) and in April where we channeled blogger Jersey Jazzman (Randi Sellout Tour Coming to Fruition in Newark).

This summer MORE and NEW Caucus may be doing some joint events.

Here is the missive from NEW Caucus:

1)  By now, many of you have probably received the first of the negative (and expensive!) SAC Slate mailers that will go out this week as ballots go out.  SAC Slate is the current NTU leadership, and they are doing whatever is necessary to take our eyes off the serious

problems that the NTU faces, and to discredit the NEW Caucus and the NEW Vision Slate. 

Below, see NEW Vision Slate's response to that mailer.  

2)  More important, BALLOTS GO OUT TUESDAY!  You should be receiving your ballot by mail by Thursday or Friday at the latest!  If you do not receive a ballot by Friday, you should call the NTU offices immediately at 973-643-8430.

Vote ONLY NEW Vision by checking the box above the NEW Vision column on the right-side of the ballot.  DO NOT VOTE FOR ANYONE ELSE!

Here is the response the the SAC mailer (which we don't have).

By now some of you have received a mailer from the Solidarity Again Caucus (current NTU leadership) for the upcoming election.  NEW Vision is concerned that negative mailers like this further divide and weaken our union.  We would like to address a few points about this mailer:

1.     NEW Caucus is still alive and fighting.  NEW Vision was created to unite other members of the NTU that may not necessarily be in the NEW Caucus.  In fact, check out the April edition of NEW Views (click here).

2.     The Star Ledger article referring to NEW Caucus as liars was prepared by the same "Editorial Board" that has consistently supported Cami Anderson's attacks. They've also criticized the Chicago Teachers for their brave action against the attacks on Chicago teachers and schools.  In other words, it is a good thing to be attacked by them, since they have attacked our friends and supported our enemies.

3.     It is almost comical to suggest that NEW Vision simply aims to gain control of the NTU dues. In reality, as current NTU contributors, we do not receive information about the NTU budget or how it is spent.  Other than a list of expenditures at the January meeting, we never see what the NTU is spending its money on.  We do want to change that and make sure you know how every dollar is spent.  We will also encourage members to be part of the decision making process over how dues are spent.

4.     When this contract was first revealed NEW Caucus was adamant that it undervalues education workers and students. The contract justified Anderson's aggressive school closings. Additionally, we are currently seeing the effects of the "Election to Work" agreements, and we aim to challenge the ability of administrators to pressure workers into opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. As said in November - the current contract has the potential to destroy our union as it splits members into two different pay scales.

Whether as NEW Caucus or NEW Vision, we have said that we will reenergize and motivate the union membership to stand up and fight back.  It won't be easy, but it will be done.  As is evidenced by this negative and desperate mailer, the current leadership lacks vision.

NEW Vision calls on all education workers, especially those in the Solidarity Again Caucus, to publicly condemn this mailer and stand with NEW Vision for a stronger, united union.

NEW Caucus Under Attack by Press, Randi: Whose Side Are You On?

Watch Randi and Cami hold the vote in the middle of the hurricane tomorrow ---

NPS, the union leadership, and the local media all see their agenda threatened by our analysis. --- NEW Caucus

Below is the latest from NEW Caucus on the contract. But first a short video from a NEW member who attended the MORE Chicago Lesson session on Oct. 20.


Video: http://youtu.be/x1d1vZdS3Dk

NEW Caucus Members and Supporters:

This has been a long and taxing week for all education workers in Newark.  It has been especially busy for NEW Caucus in our attempts to inform NTU members about the proposed contract to be voted on Monday.

There have been flurries of emails over district email from NTU officials and their supporters, calling into question NEW Caucus motives, and our analysis of the proposed contract.  Money has been spent on shiny flyers, NTU officials and AFT staffers have visited schools, and AFT staffers have been calling the membership urging them to vote yes.  Even the Star Ledger Editorial Board - headed by Tom Moran, who last week wrote a glowing piece on the proposed contract and NTU leadership - got into the act Saturday, calling the NEW Caucus liars (see link below).  

Yet most of the criticism we have heard of our analysis addresses only the front page of our document, where we bullet pointed, in stark language, the logical conclusions if such a business contract was carried out to its fullest extent.  It almost seems as if none of our critics have read the 4 page ANALYSIS that follows.  Mr. Moran certainly did not.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/111391259/NEW-Caucus-Newark-Updated-Contract-Critique

NEW Caucus (Newark) Updated Contract Critique

As members consider how to vote tomorrow, and as you mull over the honesty of everyone involved, WE ARE RESENDING BOTH THE PROPOSED CONTRACT AND THE NEW CAUCUS WORKING ANALYSIS!  The analysis is updated in response to a few legitimate criticisms of the original document.

We hope that all members will read the proposed contract, and then our analysis.  After comparing the two, members can draw a solid conclusion about the work of NEW Caucus and our veracity.  

Here is Press Coverage of NEW Caucus in recent days:

1) Good article from In These Times on NEW Caucus' Tuesday meeting, and on NEW Caucus' views of proposed contract.

 http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14087/newark_teachers_union_new_caucus_contract_vote_del_grosso_ratification_owen/

2) Another good article from NJ Spotlight also on NEW Caucus' Tuesday meeting and the proposed contract debate within the NTU.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/10/25/jeers-and-cheers-greet-newark-teachers-contract-agreement/

3) The Star-Ledger Editorial blasting NEW Caucus.  Tom Moran and the Star Ledger have ignored us for about one year now, have never interviewed or even spoken to us officially prior to now, and even refused to run an op-ed piece from us last year, yet chose to criticize us publicly after we analyzed the proposed contract and only 2 days before NTU members vote.  This tells us that we are striking close to the truth. Why else would the Ledger use an editorial to try to discredit us unless they thought we NEEDED to be discredited?  It tells us that our analysis is on point, and that they cannot allow the full contents of that analysis to be seen as credible, lest people actually believe it.  Why else would they harp only on our bullet points rather than the in-depth, 4 page analysis that follows? The answer is that NPS, the union leadership, and the local media all see their agenda threatened by our analysis.

Anyway, here it is...

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/10/lies_in_newark_over_teacher_co.html

4) Lastly, here is a post by the always sharp Jersey Jazzman, critiquing the Ledger's attacks on NEW Caucus

http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2012/10/star-ledger-calls-teachers-liars.html

Monday's Vote:

During the week, NEW Caucus had considered doing an unofficial exit poll of the vote, but were asked on Thursday by NTU leadership to come in and monitor the process officially.  So, on Monday, 2 NEW Caucus members will be in and around the NTU headquarters monitoring the process.  

Finally...

NEW Caucus continues to urge members to read both the contract and our analysis of it before they vote on Monday.  

This is a reactionary contract that blames teachers for all the educational problems of the world, and makes it seem that teacher quality is the sole factor in student performance, without taking into account the socio-economic conditions of our students, not to mention the 16 years of state control of the Newark Public School system.  

Does teacher quality matter?  Of course.  

But to focus only on teacher quality, and then to punish thousands of good teachers for socio-economic factors beyond their control is immoral, will not work, sets us up for failure, AND WILL NOT HELP STUDENTS BECAUSE IT IN NO WAY ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM!  

NEW Caucus continues to urge NTU members to VOTE NO to this proposed contract!

The question then remains: if we vote down this contract, where do we go from here? Here’s our tentative strategy:

1) Create and carry out a REAL Fair Contract Campaign (as happened in Chicago) to truly reenergize and reunite our union.

2) Form a Rank-and-File Contract Committee to involve the entire NTU membership in the decision making process (as happened in Chicago).

3) Form Contract Committees in every NPS building so that members will be involved in every step of the process (as happened in Chicago).

4) Reach out to social justice-oriented labor and education lawyers for assistance and guidance.

5) Begin to form alliances with other social justice organizations in the Newark community who can and will support the NTU in its drive for a fair contract that truly serves the interests of education workers and students.  

In Solidarity,

Newark Education Workers Caucus

(NEW Caucus)

NewarkEducationWorkersCaucus.com

862-367-9211

Facebook.com/NEWCaucus

Twitter.com/NEWCaucus