Below is the spending voted on by Unity Caucus controlled AdCom and rubber stamped by the Unity exec bd, many of whom I am sure have benefited by being amongst The Chosen. This is from a recent UFT Exec Bd meeting which takes place every two weeks and each meeting is loaded with these junkets.
Before I get to the nitty gritty numbers, let me state I am not against a union sending reps to important conferences. Of course, define "important". The question is who are the people going and how do they get chosen? I see this as another one of the perks they hand out to keep people loyal.
Motion: To send 4 members to the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. 61st National Convention on October 9-13, 2024, in Baltimore, MD at a cost of $2,159 per person.4x2,159 - about $8636. (cause I'm too lazy) CarriedMotion: To send 4 members to the NAACP’s 88th Annual New York State Conference on October 11-13, 2024, in Armonk, NY at a cost of $1,058 per person.4x1,058 - about $4232 CarriedMotion: To send 4 members to the CASEL Social & Emotional Learning Exchange Conference on November 12-14, 2024, in Chicago, IL at a cost of 2,305 per person.4x2305 - $9220 CarriedMotion: To send 4 members to the New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (NYSTESOL) Conference on November 14-16, 2024, in Rochester, NY at a cost of 1,635 per person.4x1635 -- $6540 CarriedMotion: To send 5 members to the ACTE’s Career Tech Vision Conference on December 4-7, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, at a cost of $2,660 per person.5x2660 --- $13000
Total for this round = c. $42,000 of your dues money. Amen.