Monday, May 20, 2024

Another Unity/UFT Sellout - Backs Micah Lasher, Bloomberg pro Tier 6, Charter School, Student First Acolyte - for State Assembly


Mayor Bloomberg Announces Director Of State Legislative Affairs Micah C. Lasher Will Leave City Government:  Lasher has been a member of the Bloomberg Administration since January 2009, beginning as Executive Director of External Affairs at the Department of Education. He has helped lead the City’s efforts in Albany on many major issues, including reauthorizing mayoral control of the schools, lifting the cap on charter schools, a new pension tier for City employees - April 4, 2012...

Lasher in his unsuccessful 2016 campaign for State Senate and his present campaign for State Assembly received significant funding from individuals closely associated with the charter school movement and/or hostile to teachers and their unions.

Monday, May 20, 2024
 
The UFT/Unity gang seems to love the good old days of the Bloomberg era of closing down public schools and expanding charters. And remember how Micah Lasher gets credit for helping bring us Tier 6, which the UFT claims it opposes - NOW - but not very much in 2012.
 
There is no end to the perfidy from our erstwhile leaders, but this endorsement takes us beyond the pale, bringing back memories of the awful dozen years of the Bloomberg assault on public education, led by Micah Lasher in the latter Bloomberg years, who then became head of the despicable Student First, an organization that pushed to end tenure and to replace public schools with as many non-union charters as they can manufacture. Lasher proudly helped lead the parade. 
 
I maintain that by their actions, our UFT leadership is fundamentally anti-union. The Lasher endorsement is further proof. But just as bad is the process to avoid putting the Lasher endorsement in front of the DA by claiming NYSUT endorsed and the UFT is following, a bag of worms - not to insult worms. 
 
At tonight's UFT Exec Bd meeting, a reso calling for the endorsement to be voted on by the Exec Bd and DA will be made. Watch the Unity hacks scramble to avoid going on the official record as they hide behind NYSUT.
Last night I was on a zoom with a much better alternate candidate, Eli Northrup, super impressive who supports the issues we care about. Northrup has criticized Lasher for his charter school support and also for his role in making Tier 6 a reality. Northrup wants to ensure public schools remain truly public and accountable, prioritizing adequate tools and support for teachers and students, including mental health resources in schools, protect and expand pre-K and 3-K programs, expand paid family leave, and move toward a vision for universal childcare. Northrup was a United Auto Workers member as a Bronx public advocate.
 
I believe the UFT should endorse Northrup, not a fringe candidate with no chance of winning – he comes backed by significant endorsers, https://www.eli4ny.com/endorsements. Here a few:

“The Jewish Vote is proud to endorse Eli Northrup for state Assembly.

 


 
Here is his website: https://www.eli4ny.com/
 
 


 
 

Resolution to Consider the UFT’s Endorsement for the 69th Assembly District


Whereas the UFT and NYSUT have apparently endorsed the candidacy of Micah Lasher in the 69th Assembly District, as evidenced by campaign literature and flyers mailed to members with the UFT logo on it;


Whereas, in the case of the UFT, this endorsement was made without any discussion or vote by the Executive Board or the Delegate Assembly;


And whereas the endorsement of Lasher is problematic for the following reasons:


  • Lasher is the former head of Student First New York, the leading advocacy group promoting the expansion of charter schools in New York;

  • Lasher served as Director of Policy for Governor Hochul during a period where her office proposed the expansion of charter schools in New York State;

  • Lasher, as chief lobbyist for Mayor Bloomberg, actively promoted policies that were anti-teacher and anti-union;

  • Lasher in his unsuccessful 2016 campaign for State Senate and his present campaign for State Assembly has received significant funding from individuals closely associated with the charter school movement and/or hostile to teachers and their unions;

  • Lasher was a major force in lobbying for Tier 6

And whereas the Executive Board and the Delegate Assembly are entitled to vote on UFT endorsements;


Be it Resolved: the Executive Board shall vote on the issue of the 69th Assembly endorsement and forward its recommendation to the Delegate Assembly for its consideration.


Signed by:


Ronnie Almone

Nick Bacon

Ed Calamia

Alex Jallot

Ibeth Mejia

Ilona Nanay

Luli Rodriguez

Mike Schirtzer 






Tuesday, May 14, 2024

TRS Election Was Consequential - Results Are Out - Ben Gets Over a Third With a Minimal Campaign While Unity Went All Out

Massive Unity failure in GOTV
....Unity also has the school by school data and can tell which of their district reps and chapter leaders actually did the work. The outcomes were so poor for the Unity GOTV effort I bet the leadership is plenty pissed at their own people. Don't be shocked to see some heads roll.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
 
The shock and awe of only the second ever TRS election for UFT trustee (the last one was over 30 years ago) to the UFT/Unity cult and to the DOE is still reverberating on multiple levels. The DOE clearly violated the law with its electronic voting plan and the turnout was very poor. I'm trying to get totals but roughly Ben got over a third despite a heavy Unity campaign for his opponent. The Unity failure may be the major takeaway from this election. No wonder they were so perturbed at being forced to run an unexpected campaign. They knew they were not prepared. And very upset that this is an election controlled by the DOE, not them. Which leads us to this:
The late breaking news is that UFT legal eagle, Rude Beth Norton, has contacted Ben and Daniel Alicea (the alternate) about joining a union complaint about the election.
An interesting development, given Unity won by two thirds.
Why protest an election they won? Lots of speculation, including the low turnout as a condemnation of the Unity machine which went all out. Do they want a redo?
I wouldn't be shocked to see the UFT use this election as a way to try to change the law in ways to tip future elections in their favor --  like maybe "offer" to take the running of the election off the hands of the DOE. Make sure electronic voting is NOT on the table. And how do they argue that in next year's UFT election they should continue to use the massively expensive paper ballots? And how about letting retirees vote in a TRS election?
 
Despite the Unity win, I'm not betting on there being joy at 52 Mudville today. Some oppo are already talking about doing it again next year.

Ben did quite well given limited resources and campaign

The most unique data we have is the DOE giving us 18 pages listing all schools and how they voted. (I will publish at some point). This is something I've been asking the UFT to do for years in the general election and they refuse but I bet they get that data from the AAA anyway and don't share it. The reason is I wanted to see how our own people did in getting out the vote. This time we can see how the GOTV worked in every school. Now many had zero votes or so few the data is meaningless. I'm betting that where Ben did well it was tied to schools that did petitions for him and it means some person in the building did the work. 
 
I give Ben Morgenroth top credit for the organizing he did and his extensive contacts in enough schools to give him a credible outcome. We all learned a lot about organizing on short notice and I hope we see a campaign every year for the TRS position - they are rotated in 3 year terms and one Unity pension rep must run every year. 

Also expect this election to help form a base for next year's general UFT election, along with the work being done in the para and retiree chapter elections, plus all the school based chapter elections which will lead to new leadership in many schools.

This is worth repeating:
 
Massive Unity failure in GOTV
On the reverse side, Unity also has the data and can tell which of their district reps and chapter leaders actually did the work. The outcomes were so poor for the Unity GOTV effort I bet the leadership is plenty pissed at their own people. Don't be shocked to see some heads roll. 
We are looking at the data for certain districts with big mouth DRs who attack the oppo -- so far it is not looking good for them.

I always argue with my oppo friends - any progress we make is not due to the organizing we do but in the failures of the organizing of Unity and the increasing level of incompetence at the top. They are the gift that keeps giving. 
 
Oh, if the oppo ever did really get organized.
 
The campaign TRS campaign has brought crucial issues to the attention of many UFTers, like:
  • Tier 6 - Accelerating the campaign for changes
  • Reduction of interest from 8.25 to 7% for UFTers only: Randi's 2009 folly cost me $22,000 this year.
  • The rubber stamp role Unity reps must play due to dictates of the UFT/Unity leadership.
  • The value in having at least one non-Unity choice to push back on important issues, like the fees paid, especially to private equity.
  • The learning experience an ad hoc group of people who organized this campaign outside the usual caucus structure gained. 
 
When I got my last TDA statement I calculated that Randi's move to 7% cost me $22,000 last year. Randi will be at the retiree meeting next Tuesday and I'm tempted to hold up a big check for her to sign for 22k.
 
I'm still concerned about the state of the opposition and if there will be an organized opposition capable of challenging Unity seriously next year. (More than one slate running against Unity will be a disaster). UFC has not really operated other than some people working together on the Ex bd.  It is impossible to calculate the impact of the loss of James Eterno and the work he was doing on the ICE blog. Last night at the RA webinar (attended by almost 150 people) one person gave James a shout out.
 
Ad Hoc Campaign
That the idea to run in the TRS election, find a candidate, and create and execute a campaign came from a small group chat one evening and not from the active UFT opposition caucuses (though members of some caucuses were involved). 
 
The process has broader consequences for the way the usual suspects in the UFT opposition have functioned. As a member of that chat, I was impressed by the open method of dialogue and the free back and forth that took place over the next few weeks. 

After my experience of being part of the founding of 3 oppo caucuses over the past 50 years, I realize that the processes and rules inside of caucuses, with some rigidity, can temper a free flow of ideas. No caucus I know could have responded as quickly and effectively.
 
These informal chats also led to last year's health care petition campaign, the para election slate and other initiatives. Some had objected that the people involved weren't going through a UFC multi caucus process where each caucus could veto an action or delay by saying they had to go back to their caucus steering committee. That process is like death by a thousand cuts. I know, people charge that process is democratic and having small groups decide to take an action is undemocratic. Guilty. I'm too old to wait for messy democracy to unfold. But the process is actually democratic in the sense if the idea is good people will sign on and if not it will bomb. 
 
So far the process of open dialogue in small groups of compatible people seems to have worked out. When challenged, my response it "Build it and they will come." So far we have seen the caucuses see the value of the idea and join in supporting it without going through a cumbersome process like we had two years ago with UFC.

I can't tell what the future will bring, but the relative success of the TRS dissident election is a hopeful sign.
 

Below are commentary from Arthur, always valuable.

Monday, May 13, 2024

UFT Para Chapter Election: Fix Para Pay Town Hall Tonight 6:30-7:30

The para chapter election has not been getting the same play at the retiree election but even having an election in the para chapter is significant. Unity has engaged in some dirty tricks, including buying off the Fix Para Pay slate's candidate for chapter leader with a union job.
 
See Marianne's interview with two of the candidates last Friday.

 
 
.


And this is happening tonight:

Fix Para Pay Town Hall TONIGHT 6:30 - 7:30pm


You can read more about the slate at their website and sign up to attend tonight's workshop here.

Ballots have been mailed to UFT paraprofessionals' home addresses. When you receive your ballot, don't wait! Mark and X in the "FIX PARA PAY" box and mail your ballot back ASAP. All ballots must be received by Thursday, June 13th. 

If you're an in-service teacher, talk to the paraprofessionals at your school! These elections tend to be low-turnout affairs and UFT leadership is not exactly energetic when it comes to getting out the vote.

Hundreds of TRS members with no ballots and the Alchemer survey company - TRS Election Issues -- Will There Be A Protest?

How and why is the UFT leadership sitting idly by on this matter and waiting for election results that we knowingly know is unlawful and that further  limits access to our democratic participation.
Monday, May 13, 2024

If you didn't get an electronic ballot in the TRS election, here is a possible explanation. As of this morning there are no results yet. I will post some comments later on why this election is consequential -- hint -- we can have one every year.

Daniel, who is running as the alternate, does some digging in the email he sent to:

Hundreds of TRS members with no ballots and the Alchemer survey company

"Beth A. Norton" <bnorton@uft.org>, "Dkazansky@UFT.org" <Dkazansky@uft.org>, LeRoy Barr <lbarr@uft.org>,
Michael Mulgrew <mmulgrew@uft.org>, Tom Brown <tbrown@uft.org>, Victoria Lee <vlee@uft.org>

Esteemed,

The NYC DOE just ran the TRS Pension Board election using their go-to third party email survey platform — Alchemer. They have been using this vendor for years for their internal survey needs. And with interactions with families. 

We are hearing that one big reason some TRS members did not receive their electronic ballots during the last 2 days is because if someone unsubscribed from a previous Alchemer/SGizmo campaign then they would not have been able to vote electronically using this platform, unless notified to resubscribe. 

This was never clearly communicated to members, beforehand.

Once unsubscribed from the Alchemer system, the person will not receive any more future email campaigns. It’s part of their federally compliant policy. Common with most similar big box platforms. 

As you can see, in the attached screenshots, there is an unsubscribe option at the footer of Alchemer survey emails generated for various DOE offices. 

This isn’t a way to conduct serious electronic elections. For example, with AAA, when they conduct digital elections, members of the given organization, like PSC-CUNY, get a paper ballot with a unique access code/electronic token that they can then go online with to cast their secure vote.

This trustee election affects the pensions of over 100k city employees and over 100 billion dollars in pension funds. Hundreds, if not thousands, of TRS contributors have been disenfranchised from this process. And city admin code 13-507 was not followed throughout its administration.

This latest development only strengthens legal arguments for this entire election to be re-run. 

How and why is the UFT leadership sitting idly by on this matter and waiting for election results that we knowingly know is unlawful and that further  limits access to our democratic participation.

This is a serious ethical and legal matter before you. We expect our union leadership to have been more vocal about what transpired in the last two days. And we’ve heard nothing.

We need to know that those we entrust to protect and defend our rights are doing just that.

Source:

In union solidarity,
Dan Alicea
 




 

Saturday, May 11, 2024

UPDATED - Monday, May 13, 8PM - Zoom With Retiree Advocate - Rally to Get Out the Vote, Video - How to Vote, My Letter to Local Paper


 Nick at NAC:

UFT Retirees – Vote Retiree Advocate (RA) in the RTC Election


 

Bennett and Jonathon with Marianne Friday night.  

https://youtu.be/0AuIyDvnl7E?si=MphoKXHNMvZ9l3Gp

RA Ad in The Indypendent

 


 

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Ballots for the RTC election are out - look for the envelope from the AAA and vote Retiree Advocate. Go through any old organization sheets you have from your school and contact retirees to look for the ballot and vote Retiree Advocate.

I believe we should be getting reports from the AAA on how many ballots are coming in every day. I never get a clear answer -- does the AAA scan the envelopes received  as they come in or do they wait until June 14 to do it. I've noticed big delays in getting the count started and it makes sense to me to scan as they come in. We should be privy to that info.

 
JOIN US FOR The Get Out the Vote Zoom
Monday 5/13 8PM Register at: tinyurl.com/ratownhall
 
RA will be holding a zoom rally Monday, May 13 at 8PM to share ideas on how to reach out to get out the vote. This will be a celebration to kick off the GOTV campaign.
 
Or use the link below.


Videos on the way to vote and send in your ballot 

Gloria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiNapg-0nzY&t=4s 

 

We make a point that picking out people on the 600 name booklet is waste because the slate votes are what gets reported. Three years ago there were a few hundred people who split the ballot and they get counted last. So what if an individual gets a few more or less votes? Just tear off the front page and mail that and leave the booklet behind.

Bobby Greenberg and Marianne:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tZ-wd5o1d4

 

One thing not mentioned in the video --- there is some way to id you on the outer envelope so AAA knows you voted. I believe a bar code - a signature is not required - the envelopes are run through a machine, then opened and the secret ballot envelope removed which protects your privacy.

Letters to local papers

One idea has been to write to your local papers. I did to the two in Rockaway and this was published in The Wave:

Dear Editor:

Retired UFT members will have the opportunity to take control of their UFT Retired Teacher Chapter in a consequential election that may well determine the future of their healthcare and that of city retirees from other unions (ballots are sent out by the American Arbitration Association on May10 and must be returned by June 14th). UFT retirees will be able to vote out the Unity Caucus/UFT leaders, who have allied with Mayor Adams and private health insurance companies in proposing drastic healthcare changes and replace them with leadership from Retiree Advocate that will truly act in their best interests.  

Many Medicare eligible NYC retirees live in the Rockaway community. They devoted years of service to NYC working as EMTs, Police Officers, Fire Department Personnel, Sanitation Carriers, Nurses, and Educators, often accepting smaller paychecks than private sector jobs offer due to the promise of continued, excellent health benefits upon retirement.

However, retirees have been in the fight of their lives for the past three years after learning that NYC, along with the Municipal Labor Committee, and its current controlling bosses, (Michael Mulgrew from the UFT, Henry Garrido of DC 37, and Harry Nespoli of the Sanitation Union), were about to change their fully subsidized healthcare, which for most of them is traditional Medicare plus supplemental GHI-Senior Care, to an inferior Medicare Advantage Plan, without their knowledge or support.


These private plans often diminish healthcare through networks, prior authorizations, denials, and delays at a time in one’s life when more and better healthcare is needed. Three successful lawsuits by the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees (nycretirees.org), led by the dynamic former EMC Marianne Pizzitola, are being appealed by the City of NY and so the fight against this healthcare conversion continues.

Many NYC City Council members, including Joann Ariola and fellow Republican City Council members, have given full-blown support to the retirees. In a twist of the political world, they have been joined by members of the most progressive wing of the Democratic Party, a rare right/left combination on an issue that has united retirees.


UFT President Michael Mulgrew and UFT RTC Chapter Chair Tom Murphy have led the assault on Medicare protections. All City workers will eventually be impacted by these threatened changes, and the UFT under Unity Caucus has had the most influence due to its massive membership. UFT retirees are urged to check the box for the entire Retiree Advocate slate when they receive their ballot.


Norm Scott

Retired Elementary School Teacher, UFT Member Since 1967
Member/Candidate of Retiree Advocate/UFT for Retiree Chapter Executive Board

 

RA Ad in current edition of The Chief:


 

ATT: Retiree and In-Service UFT Teachers and Those Who KNOW Some!!

ATT: Retiree and In-Service UFT Teachers and Those Who KNOW Some!!

Do you know that the UFT Retired Teachers Chapter and other elections are almost here?  Ballots being MAILED to homes starting around May 10!
Do you care about preserving your healthcare and maintaining access to straight Medicare and NOT some unknown and unknowable "Advantage"-type plan?!

You will have the opportunity to VOTE OUT the Unity Leadership in the upcoming Retired Teacher Chapter election and replace them with leadership that will truly act in our best interests. Voting for Retiree Advocate/UFT is a vote against healthcare changes for retirees! Vote out Unity and tell friends and relatives to do the same.

IN-SERVICE Teachers: While you can NOT vote in the Retiree Chapter, understand that you WILL one day join us and therefore have a chance to use your active vote in your own elections against the leadership that allowed Tier 6 and is weakening your own health care right now!!

HOW AND WHY TO VOTE  ** SPREAD THE WORD **

We must vote out the Unity Caucus leadership that is willing to change, without our consent, the excellent healthcare we were promised when we retired.

Put a check mark in the box next to Retiree Advocate/UFT on the ballot to vote the entire slate and mail it back using the stamped, self-addressed envelope. Ballots must be received no later than June 13th. If you vote for individual candidates, it will be a wasted vote!

If you care about preserving your healthcare, you must vote the Retiree Advocate slate when you get your ballot in the mail this May.  Please see our website for more info!

https://www.retireeadvocate.or...


RA Facebook
If you are on facebook (don't worry if not) there are good conversations about reaching retirees happening in our Facebook group (private) - join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/869500517909078



See Jonathan:

UFT Retiree Election – You Can Make a Difference

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

TRS Election Issues as Both Campaigns File Protests, A Conversation with Ben Morgenroth: NYC TRS Trustee Candidate

The trustee election is by law supposed to take place tomorrow, May 8, in the schools. It seems to have been postponed to May 9. I pointed out over a month ago that the DOE is not competent enough to run this election. They announced they would do it electronically, which is not what the law says even though that would be the right way to do it. 

I posted details on The Wire - see below. And Nick has the latest from last night's ex bd meeting: What’s going on with the TRS Election? – UFT Executive Board Minutes – 5/6/2024 

The trustee election, for which NAC’s own Ben Morgenroth is running a spirited campaign, is being formally contested by the UFT, as the DOE apparently is not following the letter of the election law. As far as I can tell, Ben’s campaign is more negatively affected by this than Unity’s candidate, since the UFT has directly emailed members with her name (but not Ben’s), whereas the DOE has NOT notified members the two are running – part of the law. (That means UFT members, as well as other TRS members, don’t know that Ben is running – at least UFT members know his opponent is). Edit: Check your DOE emails – while late, at least THAT problem has been addressed – again, not in the correct time frame though. There are some other questions—the election will be digital, something I support in theory, but it’s apparently an alleged violation of the law. I digress. Vote for Ben this week, as the election is apparently happening despite the contesting. It will likely be online, so check your DOE emails and let us know if you face problems voting.

Check out Daniel's interview with Ben:

A Conversation with Ben Morgenroth: NYC TRS Trustee Candidate

Episode Summary
 
Daniel interviewed Ben Morgenroth, candidate for the upcoming TRS Pension Board election. He is an AP Calculus math teacher at Brooklyn High School, CUNY adjunct, and a former investment fund risk analyst. They discussed the TRS election scheduled to be conducted electronically by NYC schools, on May 8th — and now, according to a recent DOE memo, also on May 9th. They discussed the controversy over how the DOE intends to conduct the election seemingly in violation of Admin code 13-507.

We shared a startling update about the ongoing Illuminated privacy breach of student and teacher data. Also, we aired an excerpt of Chancellor David Banks’ press conference this week where he previewed his upcoming congressional testimony dealing with hate in our schools.


Call to Action: Contact DOE Chancellor and his liaison about failures in rolling out TRS trustee election process

Most teachers and school principals STILL don’t know there is an important TRS trustee election on Wednesday — and, now, also held on Thursday according to DOE ‘hidden’ memo.

There is supposed to be an election in schools this Wednesday for the TRS pension board election. The big problem is that an overwhelming amount of teachers and principals/school administrators have received little to no notification about the election process that the DOE is proposing.

There was a backdated memo released on the DOE backend web pages that reportedly some superintendents received on Thursday morning. And the DOE posted a blurb about their proposed process on its back room intranet, called InfoHub, seemingly late Friday, after most teachers went home for the day. Yet, again, to this date teachers and other TRS members will tell you that no direct email or notification has come from the DOE or their principals about the election, the candidates or its process.

The matter is further complicated since the DOE’s proposed process for this week’s election contradicts the process outlined in the law that spells out what the process must look like.


Call to Action

🚨 Most of the active teachers have little to no details about the election process for this Wednesday’s election for teacher-member for our TRS pension board.

We need to email the chancellor and his liason about this!

Here are their emails:

Rodi Katherine - KRodi@schools.nyc.gov

DOE Chancellor David C. Banks- NYCChancellor@schools.nyc.gov

CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos - Chancellorcommunications@cuny.edu

cc:

Michael Mulgrew, UFT President - mmulgrew@uft.org

Beth Norton, UFT legal counsel - bnorton@uft.org

Elizabeth Vladek, DOE legal counsel - evladek@schools.nyc.org

Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate - gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov

Find a sample email template you can tweak to email them.

———

Esteemed,

My name is (name) and I am working at (your school). I have been working for the NYCPS since ….

I’d like to know how TRS members will be able to have their voices heard in the first election in over thirty years for TRS teacher member trustee. I understand the vote has been extended to May 9th. Who is responsible for making sure that all members of TRS get an opportunity to vote? Why are so many of us not aware of this election and its details? Why are so many principals and administrators also unaware of the details and their roles in conducting this process?

Lastly, will the proposed election process comply with the law — namely city Admin code 13-507?

Our pensions are an important conversation for all of us. This election should provide spaces for this discussion. Also, it’s important that the process is done properly or it can adversely affect the taxpayers as well.

Please let us know as soon as possible.

Name


Below, find the DOE memo that has not been effectively communicated to the voting TRS members. Adding to the chaos, the UFT leadership sent out an email, yesterday, sharing election process details that don’t exactly align with the DOE’s proposed plans. It’s leading to more confusion and questions.

There are reports that the UFT and the Ben Morgenroth campaign have brought the issue to the DOE and, separately, have filed formal complaints.


Monday, May 6, 2024

No dental for you - How Unity/UFT Spends Money - Junkets, Conventions, Patronage jobs

Over the past two months, Unity Caucus/UFT has spent over $60,000 sending favored people (exactly who are they?) to conferences plus sending 50 Unity retirees to the AFT convention this summer in Houston - figure at least 2k or more (Plane fair, hotels, meals, etc) - 2000x50= 100K plus the recent NYSUT convention at the NY Hilton at 2kX750-800 = $1,500,000.

So we are talking in the vicinity of almost $2 million to feed at the trough of our dues. And I'm not including the buying off of potential opposition candidates with offers of jobs. No wonder it's so hard to shake people loose from the Unity machine which has controlled the UFT for 62 years.

And they see threats to that control in the UFT's 3 Consequential Elections and are playing games where they can, but more on that later.

Meanwhile  Jonathan Halabi reports:

UFT Welfare Fund nest egg – bigger than most nests

 


Look at those salaries. We may need some RICO charges.

Also see Ex Bd member Ronnie Almonte:

Here are the ugly details:

Motion:       To send 6 members to the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) 53rd Annual National Education Conference on July 15-19, 2024 in Hollywood, FL, at a cost of $2,300 per person. Carried -- 2300x6 = $13,800

Motion:      To send 8 members to the Micron Technology Convention on May 14-16, 2024 in Manassas, VA, at a cost of $350 per person. Carried - 350 x 8 = $2800

NYSUT Convention at NY Hilton - 750 x $2000 Plus = $1,500,000 - at least. After all, a free room at The Hilton is higher priority than considering improving the dental plan.
 

How Unity spends our dues from April Adcom:

 Motion:      To send 9 members to the National Association of School Nurses Conference on June 28-July 1, 2024 in Chicago, IL at a cost of $2,568 per person. (9x2568= 23,112)
 
Motion:       To send 1 member to the Early Educators Leadership Conference on October 16-19, 2024 in Washington, DC, at a cost of $3,030. (3,030)

Motion:       To send 3 members to the National Art Education Association National Convention on April 4-7, 2024 in Minneapolis, MN at a cost of $1,982 per person. (3x1,982 = 5,946) Carried
 
Motion:       To send 5 members to the Coalition of Labor Union Women National Executive Board and 50th Anniversary Gala on May 8-11, 2024 in Niagara Falls at a cost of $1,461 per person. (5x1,461 = 7,305) Carried
 
Motion:       To send 4 members to the IEL-National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference on May 29-31, 2024, in Atlanta, GA at a cost of $2,595 per person. (4x2595= 10,380)

Total = $49,773

And this:

 Motion: To authorize up to 50 retirees to participate in the 2024 AFT Convention and retiree activities associated with the Convention. Carried
 Let's Estimate the cost -- plane fair, hotel, meals --- let's call it 2 grand per x 50 --- $100,000.

 


Friday, May 3, 2024

Press Release: Independent Community of Educators of the UFT Criticizes Mulgrew’s Unity Caucus Leadership and Supports Insurgent Campaigns

Friday, May 3, 2024

Posted on the ICE blog



(New York, NY) - The Independent Community of Educators of the UFT (ICE-UFT) issues a critical examination of the leadership of Unity Caucus of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and its President of 15 years, Michael Mulgrew. As advocates for educational equity, fair labor practices, and democratic governance, ICE-UFT voices deep concerns regarding the direction and actions of Unity Caucus under Mulgrew's leadership.

Unity Caucus, entrenched as the dominant political faction within UFT, has come under scrutiny for its lack of transparency, lack of accountability, and lack of responsiveness to the needs of educators and students. Michael Mulgrew, as the long-standing president of UFT and a prominent figure within the Unity Caucus, bears significant responsibility for the failures and shortcomings of the organization.

Our critique encompasses several key areas:

1. Lack of Teacher Empowerment: Unity Caucus and Mulgrew have stifled dissent and marginalized voices of teachers who challenge the status quo. This authoritarian approach undermines the principles of democracy and collective decision-making within the union.

2. Failure to Address Educational Inequities: Despite professing commitment to educational equity, Unity Caucus and Mulgrew have failed to effectively address systemic inequities in New York City's public schools. Issues such as resource disparities, racial segregation, and unequal access to quality education persist under their leadership.

3. Neglect of Member Concerns: Many UFT members have expressed frustration over the union's handling of grievances, contract negotiations, and other labor-related issues. Unity Caucus and Mulgrew have been criticized for prioritizing political alliances over the interests of their constituents.

4. Opposition to Progressive Reform: Unity Caucus's resistance to progressive reforms, such as empowering classroom teachers, incorporating class size limits in the contract, dynamic curriculum reform, opposing the negative effects of high stakes testing, opposing controls of schools by the mayor and increased funding for public education, reflects a disconnect from the grassroots movements advocating for meaningful change.

5. Ethical Concerns: Allegations of cronyism, conflicts of interest, and financial mismanagement have cast doubt on the integrity of Unity Caucus leadership and Michael Mulgrew.

In contrast to the status quo represented by Unity Caucus, ICE-UFT proudly supports three insurgent campaigns within the UFT:

  • The Retiree Advocate Slate in the UFT Retiree Chapter election: Led by retired Chapter Leader Bennet Fischer for Retiree Chapter, fighting to preserve Medicare benefits for retired educators.
  • The Fix Para Pay Slate in the UFT Paraprofessional Chapter election: Committed to securing better pay for paraprofessionals, addressing long-standing wage disparities.
  • Ben Morgenroth for Teacher Retirement System Teacher Trustee: Advocating for the reform of Tier 6 and the establishment of independent oversight to ensure the financial well-being of active and retired members.

ICE-UFT calls for a renewed commitment to democratic principles, transparency, and accountability within UFT leadership. We urge Unity Caucus and Michael Mulgrew to heed the voices of educators, students, and community members demanding genuine reform and representation within the union.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Norm Scott, normsco@gmail. com, 917-992-3734


About the Independent Community of Educators of the UFT (ICE-UFT):
 
The Independent Community of Educators of the UFT (ICE-UFT) is a coalition of educators dedicated to advocating for educational equity, fair labor practices, and democratic governance within the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). We are committed to amplifying the voices of educators, students, and community members in shaping the future of public education in New York City. ICE-UFT has ran against Unity Caucus as part of coalition groups challenging the UFT since its founding in 2004, most recently as one of the 7 groups in the United for Change coalition. which received 44% of the working educator vote in the 2022 UFT elections. ICE-UFT leader and classroom teacher Camille Eterno led the ticket as the presidential candiate and the UFC coalition won the seven high school executive board seats with 55% of the high school teacher vote.

 

Thursday, May 2, 2024

No Mike (Mulgrew) , the judge DIDN’T say that - Marianne explodes the choice myth and more in 4 videos

The judge didn't stop you from offering choice-- you did. You had the MLC taking an amicus on the side of the city against the retirees -- the UFT lawyer consulting with city lawyers.
Thursday, May 2

Here is a follow-up to my recent post on the RTC April 16 meeting: 

This is Marianne's 4th video exploding the distortions and lies he told at a Florida meeting. We need a constant repetition and exposure of the details of the misinformation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ksnlq27Kxo


Here are the other 3:


 
 

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

May 8, Vote for Ben to End Unity Monopoly of Pension Reps, Join Election TOWN HALL - Thursday May 2, 5:30 PM

...most of those leaders are hired staffers, who, through a Tammany-like patronage system, are selected and kept primarily based on their loyalty to top brass. If UFT’s officers had something to show for this – raises that met inflation, healthcare that wasn’t deteriorating and on the verge of collapse, or a pension system that wasn’t profoundly unequal for union members, that would be one thing. Instead, we have a record of losing, at least where everyday members are concerned. (Union officials who play ball, it turns out, are doing just fine.)... New Action

...if Ben wins, watch the UFT/Unity gang complain and call for a redo.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
 
In case you hadn't noticed, there is an historic election for one of the three Teacher Retirement System (TRS) reps for the first time in almost 40 years as Ben Morgenroth challenges the total Unity Caucus control over how decisions about our pensions are made. 

Elections will be in the schools on May 8, run by the incompetent DOE. I'd bet many schools don't even hold an election, a violation of the law that will be ignored - if the Unity candidate wins -- but if Ben wins, watch the UFT/Unity gang complain and call for a redo.
 
There will be a town hall this Thursday, May 2 to discuss the election. The Unity candidate has been invited to show up, but don't hold your breath. If Ben wins, Unity will still have the two other reps and thus still a majority rule. So even if you are a Unity supporter, a vote for Ben offers some range of conversations instead of Mulgrew dictating decisions. Frankly, I no longer trust the decision making at the top, which seems to operate like a bug business and has ties to certain companies that might affect decision making on our pensions. We want some independent thinking even if only one voice who would open up what goes on there to more scrutiny. 
 
Ben has helped lead the battle for changing Tier 6 and would use his voice if elected to advocate for change.

UFT Ex Bd HS rep Nick Bacon posted on the New Action site:

On May 8, YOU decide who represents UFT Members on the pension board. I hope you choose Ben.