Showing posts with label union organizing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label union organizing. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
A Union Takes Action: Don't Get Caught in a Bad Hotel
A flashmob infiltrates the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco and performs an adaptation of Lady Gaga's song "Bad Romance." The event was organized to draw attention to a boycott called by the workers of the hotel who are fighting to win a fair contract and affordable healthcare. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer activists put the song and dance together as a creative way to tell the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ people from all over the country coming to San Francsico in June for Pride to stay out of the boycotted hotels.
To learn more about how to honor the boycott and support the workers visit:
http://www.sleepwiththerightpeople.org
http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/Hot...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Are you a Chapter Leader, Delegate, or someone who is interested in helping mobilize school staff?
I was at session 4 of Teacher Unite's 4 day teacher activist course today. This was the one session I missed the last time around in May and with Megan Behrent (TJC and ISO) facilitating, it was excellent. Megan explained the philosophy behind current union leadership in the UFT/AFT and in most other unions as the so-called service model of unionism, where the union provides the minimum service to members. This is in contrast to an organizing union that builds a firm base of active rank and file support instead of the passivity leaders, whose major goal is to hold onto power, crave.
Megan explained that since the NYC fiscal crisis of the mid 70's, followed by Regan's dismantling of the air traffic controllers in the early 80's, with only tepid union response in both cases, unions in this country have been on the run as their only strategy is based on the idea that if they are to win anything at all (mostly salary and little in the way of working conditions) it will only be by giving back concessions.
Remember: the UFT was built based on militancy and strikes in the late 50's and early 60's, the roots of their success. New contracts not only had more money, but contained aspects of better working conditions.
All that changed around the early 80's (connection to air traffic controller wipe out?) when Al Shanker started sounding like a partner with the very people hammering teachers.
Three fairly new chapter leaders and at least two delegates attended and they said this was better than any training the union does. Sally should just run the darn thing for the UFT. But then again that would activate the rank and file chapter leaders into viewing themselves as organizers rather than the UFT view of them as disseminators of whatever propaganda that supports the UFT narrow view of the relationship between the leadership and the members.
There were some good lines about UFT officials. "Two 60 year old white guys talking at us and putting on a show with little interest in hearing what we had to say." "My district rep mostly talks at us at district meetings and disseminated material. There is no dialogue.
Ahhh! District reps. The overseers of the plantation. The key people in keeping things and people in line to make sure no militant movement gets started in the teaching ranks. There to deflect and give people who want action busy work so they will eventually get tired and give up.
The people at the course today said they had their eyes opened as we workshopped their school, principal and their own role as chapter leader with suggestions and actions. "The union never does this," was a common refrain.
That is why if you are a chapter leader or delegate or even someone just interested in organizing your chapter, these Teachers Unite monthly sessions are for you.
RANK AND FILE TEACHERS UNITE!
Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (starting promptly!)
Are you a Chapter Leader, Delegate, or someone who is interested in helping mobilize school staff?
Join Teachers Unite's third monthly meeting where teachers committed to social justice and human rights share their school stories, organizing strategies, and visions for a UFT that fights for what we believe in.
*SPECIAL CALL: Do you work in a school where the teachers and principal work well together? Wondering what the role of the union could and should be in your small, progressive school? We need your voices too!*
At the September meeting we will:
1. Share best practices for chapter organizing.
2. Talk about the kind of positions we'd like to see the UFT stand for (for those of you wondering: "What's the union got to do with social justice?")
Please let us know if you're coming through: sally@teachersunite.net
Directions:
A, C, E or L to 14th Street & 8th Ave, walk down 8th Ave. to Bethune,
turn right, walk west to the River, turn left.
1, 2, 3 or 9 to 14th Street & 7th Ave, get off at south end of station, walk west on 12th Street to 8th Ave. left to Bethune, turn right, walk west to the River, turn left.
--
212-675-4790
http://www.teachersunite.net
Think Teachers Unite is doing great work? We need your support! Please visit http://www.teachersunite.net/sign up to become a member or http://www.teachersunite.net/node/339 to make a donation.
Megan explained that since the NYC fiscal crisis of the mid 70's, followed by Regan's dismantling of the air traffic controllers in the early 80's, with only tepid union response in both cases, unions in this country have been on the run as their only strategy is based on the idea that if they are to win anything at all (mostly salary and little in the way of working conditions) it will only be by giving back concessions.
Remember: the UFT was built based on militancy and strikes in the late 50's and early 60's, the roots of their success. New contracts not only had more money, but contained aspects of better working conditions.
All that changed around the early 80's (connection to air traffic controller wipe out?) when Al Shanker started sounding like a partner with the very people hammering teachers.
Three fairly new chapter leaders and at least two delegates attended and they said this was better than any training the union does. Sally should just run the darn thing for the UFT. But then again that would activate the rank and file chapter leaders into viewing themselves as organizers rather than the UFT view of them as disseminators of whatever propaganda that supports the UFT narrow view of the relationship between the leadership and the members.
There were some good lines about UFT officials. "Two 60 year old white guys talking at us and putting on a show with little interest in hearing what we had to say." "My district rep mostly talks at us at district meetings and disseminated material. There is no dialogue.
Ahhh! District reps. The overseers of the plantation. The key people in keeping things and people in line to make sure no militant movement gets started in the teaching ranks. There to deflect and give people who want action busy work so they will eventually get tired and give up.
The people at the course today said they had their eyes opened as we workshopped their school, principal and their own role as chapter leader with suggestions and actions. "The union never does this," was a common refrain.
That is why if you are a chapter leader or delegate or even someone just interested in organizing your chapter, these Teachers Unite monthly sessions are for you.
RANK AND FILE TEACHERS UNITE!
Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (starting promptly!)
Brecht Forum
451 West St. between Bank and Bethune Streets
451 West St. between Bank and Bethune Streets
Are you a Chapter Leader, Delegate, or someone who is interested in helping mobilize school staff?
Join Teachers Unite's third monthly meeting where teachers committed to social justice and human rights share their school stories, organizing strategies, and visions for a UFT that fights for what we believe in.
*SPECIAL CALL: Do you work in a school where the teachers and principal work well together? Wondering what the role of the union could and should be in your small, progressive school? We need your voices too!*
At the September meeting we will:
1. Share best practices for chapter organizing.
2. Talk about the kind of positions we'd like to see the UFT stand for (for those of you wondering: "What's the union got to do with social justice?")
Please let us know if you're coming through: sally@teachersunite
Directions:
A, C, E or L to 14th Street & 8th Ave, walk down 8th Ave. to Bethune,
turn right, walk west to the River, turn left.
1, 2, 3 or 9 to 14th Street & 7th Ave, get off at south end of station, walk west on 12th Street to 8th Ave. left to Bethune, turn right, walk west to the River, turn left.
--
212-675-4790
http://www.teachers
Think Teachers Unite is doing great work? We need your support! Please visit http://www.teachers
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Teachers Unite Course: Organizing to Transform Public Education
I was away and didn't attend session one, but I hear it was a lively event with ICE's Michael Fiorillo and TJC's Kit Wainer as guest speakers. Megan Behrent from TJC and ISO facilitated. I'm going to try to make this tomorrow. There's still room. Check out the remaining sessions at Teachers Unite.
Session 2:
Organizing to Transform Public Education
What will it take to transform public education in NYC? Teachers will gain greater understanding of the root causes of the problems in education, with an understanding of the social/political and economic factors affecting these problems. Teachers will hear examples of education organizing work around NYC and learn what others are doing to help transform schools in their communities. Teachers will have an opportunity to begin exploring their own ideas for transforming public education.
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Social Justice Leadership, 1916 Park Avenue (130th St.), Suite 305
Free childcare may be available during this session for those who request it by April 17th. For more info, please write sally@teachersunite.net
Facilitator: Angelica Otero
Session 2:
Organizing to Transform Public Education
What will it take to transform public education in NYC? Teachers will gain greater understanding of the root causes of the problems in education, with an understanding of the social/political and economic factors affecting these problems. Teachers will hear examples of education organizing work around NYC and learn what others are doing to help transform schools in their communities. Teachers will have an opportunity to begin exploring their own ideas for transforming public education.
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Social Justice Leadership, 1916 Park Avenue (130th St.), Suite 305
Free childcare may be available during this session for those who request it by April 17th. For more info, please write sally@teachersunite.net
Facilitator: Angelica Otero
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