Written and edited by Norm Scott: EDUCATE! ORGANIZE!! MOBILIZE!!! Three pillars of The Resistance – providing information on current ed issues, organizing activities around fighting for public education in NYC and beyond and exposing the motives behind the education deformers. We link up with bands of resisters. Nothing will change unless WE ALL GET INVOLVED IN THE STRUGGLE!
Friday, June 14, 2024
UFT Retiree Chapter Election Vote Count 11 AM Update - Over 28k ballot returns, Count Won't actually start until 1 PM - Why I left
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Norm Handicaps the 2024 Retiree Chapter Election - 35% is bad, 45% and above is a winning formula going forward
Unity Caucus - The Real Enemy WithinI went to the DA Wednesday with a leaflet I wrote under the Ed Notes banner with the headline above where I pointed to the leadership working closely with the city and private health insurance - outside the UFT - to undermine retiree healthcare. In brief conversations even some with Unity, people seemed to agree that the healthcare issue is not a good one for Unity. I had conversations, especially since my recent major health issue, with Unity people about how if I was on Mulgrewcare I would not be able to get the quick service in terms of tests and seeing new docs so easily. They all nod their heads and seem to agree -- so even in the deep state there's skepticism.
- In my interview with Daniel Alicea on the WBAI Talk Out of School program he asked me to handicap the election and I told him he'd have to wait for today. I talk about how I got into teaching, the process I went through in becoming an activist and my version of opposition history through the early 90s. We end on the membership voting down the 1995 contract. To be continued in a few weeks with part 2 taking us up to current events in the UFT. Listen to Part 1 (https://wbai.org/archive/program/episode/?id=50740)
- Note that about 500 people split their ballots -- a big error as slate votes are how we judge results.
But let's jump ahead to the 2022 general election numbers where I had high hopes for the retiree vote.
- "the most dramatic number in this election’s turnout was the surge in retiree votes, 4,600 more votes than three years ago." - Jonathan
Retirees - massive turnout - over 27K - the UFT is weakened with well over half the total votes come from the no longer working, Unity is strengthened.UFC got almost 8K, just short of 30%, which is the highest total by far in a general UFT election. Most attribute that vote to Mulgrewcare, but I don't see it that way. In last year's RTC election we also got 30% and Mulgrewcare was just being announced. I assumed we would go up to 35% or more. this year. But Unity was helped by the plan not being implemented due to the court case and Mulgrew tried to run away from it -- and in some ways was successful. Imagine of the opt-outers were paying $200 a month on Jan 1? It seems even Unity people who were unhappy came home. In the over 3K new votes this time, my guess is UFC and Unity split them with an edge to Unity -- which is sort of good but disappointing as I had hoped we would get a bigger chunk. Unity went all out organizing retiree chapters all over the nation -- all dominated by Unity retirees. I don't see us moving much beyond the 30% in the future and may in fact see a slippage. Unless Mulgrewcare is implemented. Watch outcomes in the RTC election in 2024 as Retiree Advocate remains active in the RTC chapter and as a crucial part of UFC.
Will Unity votes slip? At most they will slip a little. But maybe not. So I start by giving them 18-20K. If they actually slip back to their 2021 16k, RA may be in the ball game.
The way to victory is for Unity to lose a few thousand - down to 15 or 16K and for us to get those votes plus our outreach plus the Marianne crowd. But if would be close no matter what as the best case scenario.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Press Release: ICE-UFT Demands Transparent and Efficient Ballot Count and Reporting Results by the American Arbitration Association (AAA)
Reprint from the ICE blog
Press Release: ICE-UFT Demands Transparent and Efficient Ballot Count and Reporting Results by the American Arbitration Association (AAA)
New York, NY – The Independent Community of Educators within the United Federation of Teachers (ICE-UFT) is demanding that the American Arbitration Association (AAA) implement a transparent, efficient, and equitable ballot counting process for the upcoming UFT elections, including those for the UFT Retiree Chapter, Paraprofessional Chapter, and all other contested elections. ICE-UFT insists that all members, regardless of caucus affiliation, must be treated equally and provided with equal access to observe and participate in the ballot count and access to all data generated during the entire election process.
(See Education Notes for more background: Can AAA Competence, Management and Reporting Process be Trusted in UFT Elections?)
This demand follows numerous issues observed in previous elections, including inefficiency and delays on the part of AAA, frequent machine jams, and extremely limited observation opportunities for members. Additionally, concerns have been raised about private communications between the UFT officers, all members of Unity Caucus, to which others were not privy, and AAA, as well as delays in announcing results. During past UFT election counts, requests for school-by-school data were denied, with AAA stating that only UFT officials had access to those reports.
“Transparency and fairness are non-negotiable in our union elections,” said Norm Scott, spokesperson for ICE-UFT. “We demand that AAA conduct the ballot count in a manner that is open, efficient, and equitable, ensuring that representatives from all caucuses have the same opportunities to participate and monitor the process. Any deviation from this standard undermines the integrity of our elections and the trust of our members.”
ICE-UFT’s demands include:
1. Equal Access for All Caucuses: Representatives from all caucuses must have identical opportunities to monitor the ballot count and raise any concerns in real-time.
2. Transparency in Procedures: AAA must communicate and adhere to clear, consistent procedures throughout the counting process to ensure transparency.
3. Efficient and Accurate Counting: The counting process must be carried out with utmost efficiency and accuracy to reflect the true will of the UFT membership.
4. Access to All District and School Data: Full access must be provided to all district and school data related to the elections to ensure complete transparency.
5. Access to ballot process during the voting period: Regular reports on numbers of ballots received, a report on number of ballots that were returned due to wrong address, number of ballots returned past deadline of reception, modification of the 8AM due time in final date of return to account for late mail delivery.
6. Prompt reporting to all caucus election committee reps on day of the count instead of being told to wait for the official AAA report.
ICE-UFT emphasizes the critical importance of these measures in the ballot counts for the UFT Retiree Chapter, Paraprofessional Chapter, and all other contested elections.
“These problems have cast doubt on the integrity of the election process,” continued Norm Scott. “We cannot allow these issues to persist and compromise the democratic principles our union stands for.”
ICE-UFT’s call to action comes amid increasing concerns about potential discrepancies and biases in the ballot counting process. By demanding these measures, ICE-UFT aims to uphold.
This press release is intended for immediate distribution.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Norm Scott, please contact him at (917) 992-3734 or via email at normsco@gmail.com
**About ICE-UFT**
The Independent Community of Educators within the United Federation of Teachers (ICE-UFT) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of educators and supporting democratic practices within the union. ICE-UFT works tirelessly to promote transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in all union activities.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Norm Gets Interviewed by Daniel Alicea on Talk Out of School - Part 1 and The Skinny Awards - Contribute to Leonie
Part 2 will be on in a few weeks.
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Can AAA Competence, Management and Reporting Process be Trusted in UFT Elections?
- He said that they can check to see if individual ballots were received at AAA.
- He
is only authorized to give the returned ballot count to the designated
point person from the UFT.
There are reports of ballots, mailed, being delivered to the address on the back (the voter) instead of to AAA. Here is one:So, I pick up the mail today and I find my ballot returned! And, it's postmarked "1 June 2024 PM 6 L --- UFT retiree and RA candidate.He lives in New York so I suggested he hand deliver but he is not currently mobile enough and AAA doesn't allow for someone else to deliver. No way to get another ballot in time and assure it will get there in time. And what about people who don't live in NY? There is no way they can get another ballot and have it returned in time. We need AAA and the UFT to tabulate how many late ballots come in each day after 8 AM on June 14. In fact RA should call for late ballots to be counted because of the failures of the AAA.
And then there were those delayed ballot mailings. May 10 became on or about with a lot more about than on.
Ed Notes May 21: J'Accuse: Unity/AAA Delayed ballots suppress the voteSo we were told that ballots were to go out on May 10 but no one we know received their ballot until at least a week later and many haven't gotten it yet. Then when asked, AAA reported "on or about May 10." I asked a former colleague who is a snowbird and up in Boston now and he hasn't gotten his ballot and probably never will unless he contacts AAA and gets them to send to his summer home. I expect we will have loads of people who ask the AAA for replacements and they do la, di, da and it takes a week to get one and another week for it to get back to AAA? Demand they extend the deadline for ballots received to a few extra days to make up for the delayed mailing and other AAA screwups.But of course that will be rejected, as Unity is all about vote suppression. They are the Republican Party of the UFT.
Unity expects to win this election by bombarding their core with lies and misinformation about the opposition while suppressing the rest of the vote where ever they can.
Over the elections for the past decade I have noticed changes in how the AAA deals with the various parties in the election.
This would be collusion. We need inside leakers to actually tell us they saw this data in the past. Feel free to comment anonymously.
What data does the AAA have on results and how they are reported?
I raised the reporting issue as a member of the 2022 election committee but was constantly deflected. I also asked for school by school breakdowns on how many people voted as a way to check on the work UFC people were actually doing in their schools. I was turned down. Does Unity get to check on the work their own people are doing in their schools? Imagine a tabulation of returned ballots from oppo schools, with the likelihood of being oppo votes?
I will also note recent signs of a la di da attitude and thus a slowing up the count (purposely to create delays?) I used to walk in at 9 AM in the old days and things were humming. Now when I walk in people are just getting there and unpacking boxes. Then we see breakdowns in scanners, extremely limited ability to observe -- now we watch cameras on 2 out of 6 machines on a big screen with frequent stoppages.
In the 2022 election they didn't even have cameras and told us we couldn't go beyond the ropes to look at the machines. So I raised hell - what are we observing then? They delayed for an hour to set up some cameras and a feed to the screen.
So is there cheating going on? From what I see I assume AAA conducts on honest count. The questions are how competent are they and their cozy relationship with UFT/Unity officialdom. Imagine if we won and hired another vote counting company? Or went to electronic voting? Our election is a potential threat to the AAA bottom line.
For me the dishonesty is how they pass info to UFT/Unity that other groups do not get. But there were times when the count was at the UFT HQ where the uncounted ballots were left overnight, supposedly with a security guard.
School info on voting is a particular concern.
So does Unity cheat? What will they do if they get advance results that they are losing the RTC count June 14) or Para election (count June 13).
If you want to read on, below I review my own history of observing vote counts and how the AAA has become more restrictive due to orders by Unity/UFT Officials.
I was at the hotel in 2013 and all the MORE people had left to go to a "victory" celebration at a bar on 34th St attended by 100 people. I had the results in hand at around 6:30 - same day as vote began and went down to inform everyone we won nothing -- but they cheered anyway. I bet of those 100 people you can count on one hand how many are still involved in MORE. (When you think of it, MORE is now over 12 years old - no comment in the impact on the UFT so far.)
In the 2014 contract and 2016 election there was a change. The counts were at AAA HQ at 120 Broadway, just a few blocks up from 52. The count took place behind a closed door with a large window for us to look in while observers sat around a large conference table. There was limited space and we submitted names to rotate in if necessary.
So the AAA has seemingly become less capable of efficient operation and more tied to the UFT/Unity leadership.
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Vote Down the Goons - MulgrewCare Update: Unity Gang Called Security on Retiree Advocates Handing Out Leaflets at the Hilton
If you are a UFT retiree and haven't voted yet your last chance to be counted for sure is to mail in your ballot today or tomorrow or it might not reach AAA by the Friday June 14th 8AM deadline. It took a week or more to receive the ballot and some have been returned because of faulty postal codes on the AAA envelopes (AAA has lost its step).Arthur is pretty optimistic – A Momentous Opportunity: The Retired Teacher Chapter election initiates a new era for the United Federation of Teachers
Saturday June 1
With the retiree chapter election in full swing (ballots to be counted June 14), a group from Retiree Advocate showed up to hand out our healthcare leaflet the annual UFT retiree breakfast/luncheon at the Hilton on W. 54St and 6Th Ave, a location much used by the UFT. In fact they recently used it to give a two thousand dollar stipend to 750 Unity loyalists for the NYSUT convention a few weeks ago. So the UFT is a regular customer of the hotel.
So we were at the top of the escalator greeting people and chatting to them about the election and healthcare and then directed them to the registration desk down the hall. At some point we could see there was some official perturbed at our presence. So they sent over someone to "direct" people as to where to register - which was what we were doing anyway.
Then the UFTer starts complaining we were blocking people when they got off the elevator. She claimed is was a safety issue as I watched her try to insert herself between our reps and the escalator to get at people first and demanded we move back with the intention of diverting people in the opposite direction so we don't get to talk to them. When we refused she ran back to the registration desk and they called security.
Eventually 3 levels of security came up and I was ready to be arrested as an electioneering tactic -- play the Trump victim game and get votes - it may be working for him.
Saturday, June 1, 2024
ICE-UFT Unyielding in the Face of Unity Caucus’s Unwarranted Personal Attacks
ICE-UFT Unyielding in the Face of Unity Caucus’s Unwarranted Personal Attacks
New York, NY – May 31, 2024 – The Independent Community of Educators - United Federation of Teachers (ICE-UFT) vehemently denounces the recent onslaught of personal attacks instigated by the Unity Caucus, under the misguided leadership of UFT President Michael Mulgrew, against our esteemed members. These unwarranted attacks, orchestrated by District Representative Adam Shapiro and sanctioned by Staff Director Leroy Barr, are not only devoid of merit but also serve as a smokescreen, diverting attention from the urgent issues plaguing our educators and students.
ICE-UFT has consistently been a beacon of equity, justice, and authentic representation for all UFT members. Our unwavering commitment to cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment for educators remains steadfast. Regrettably, Unity Caucus, under the misguided leadership of President Mulgrew, has chosen to resort to personal attacks rather than engaging in constructive dialogue and addressing the legitimate concerns of our members.
Our priorities remain steadfast:
- Championing Fair Working Conditions: We are committed to ensuring that all educators are provided with a safe and supportive work environment.
- Demanding Transparency: We are relentless in our pursuit for greater transparency in union operations and decision-making processes.
- Empowering Educators: We are dedicated to equipping educators with the necessary tools and support they need to excel in their roles and advocate for their rights.
- Revamping Our Dental Plan: We are determined to rectify the deficiencies in our current dental coverage to ensure comprehensive and accessible dental care for all members.
- Safeguarding Changes to Active Member and Retiree Healthcare: We are committed to ensuring that all changes to healthcare plans for active members and retirees prioritize quality care without escalating out-of-pocket expenses.
- Securing a Living Wage for Paraprofessionals: We are unwavering in our advocacy for fair and livable wages to ensure that paraprofessionals receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.
We challenge Unity Caucus, President Mulgrew, District Representative Shapiro, and Staff Director Barr to abandon their personal attacks and join us in addressing the critical issues that impact our education system. The strength of our union lies in our collective ability to unite and collaborate for the betterment of our schools and communities.
ICE-UFT remains resolute in preserving the integrity of our union and will not be swayed by these divisive tactics. We extend an invitation to all members of the UFT to stand with us in solidarity, focusing on the shared objective of enhancing our education system for the benefit of both educators and students. We will not be silenced. We will not be deterred. We stand firm. We are ICE-UFT.Friday, May 31, 2024
Migda Responds to the Mulgrew's and Barr's Unity-UFT Bullying & Taunting of Paras
Our union leaders now appear unhinged. Shamefully bullying and attacking members who are forced to work to 2 jobs, while they won't fight for a living wage & cuts to our healthcare & pensions... The Wire
Just when you think Unity, Barr, and Mulgrew couldn't get any lower they hit a new low! This was posted today and I'm sure the sheep (District Reps, and other unity Members) will post it and repost it....
Oh, and tag a bunch of people in their post.
They have a habit of trying to rewrite history. They have to tell a fable to convince you of their lies. To make everyone who doesn't agree with them out to be, let's see... SHARON ANDERSON (their WHERE'S MIGDA? current chapter Secretary) called me “grimy” for running last year. They want to make us out to be less than them.
Let's tell the real story, not their revisionist history. I decided to run for 2nd vice chair because I didn't like the direction they chose to take the chapter. I won! I beat them because other paras felt the same.
Then what happened? Well, when Freeman won 1st vice chair, they gave her a full-time union position. When I won they did not. Even though all the past 2nd vice chairs had union positions. Hector Ruiz and Doreen Raftery were both 2nd vice chairs, both who had union positions.
Like most paras, I need my after-school job. I need a secondary source of income.
So they chose not to give me, the elected 2nd vice chair, any time needed to represent the chapter.
I chose putting food on my table rather than going to a meeting where as you can see by their post above, they never respected me.
So now paras can see their behavior. They are not hiding it. They mock us, they taunt us, they disrespect us.
Proud, dues-paying, active members made fun of because we run in 'democratic union elections'. Well, that's what they are supposed to be. Not here.
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU, that participate in this disgusting behavior.
Paras, you have a real choice here. Vote this immature, disrespectful leadership out.
VOTE FIX PARA PAY. Let's see what they do to us when we win this time.
Arthur Goldstein also responds
Paras, did you vote for the para chapter election? Did you receive your ballot?
Fix Para Pay is running several para candidates against the Unity slate and its current leadership that have failed to deliver a living wage and better conditions for New York City paraprofessionals.
Fix Para Pay is committed to fighting, alongside with you, for a living wage, a fair contract and respect. Enough is enough!
Please get the word out to all other UFT paras in our schools that change is here. And that change begins with voting for the Fix Para Pay slate.
Ballots were mailed on or around May 9-10. Look for the envelope from the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
It’s important to note that the ballot will be from the AAA, not the UFT.
If voting in the UFT para election, please check the Fix Para Pay slate box to vote for the entire Fix Para Pay slate. We need you to only mark this box only. Voting for other individual candidates will affect the entire slate.
Once you’ve checked the Fix Para Slate box, put the front page of the ballot into the secure, Secret Ballot envelope, and put that into the mailing envelope addressed to AAA.
Ballots for the chapter election must be received at the AAA no later than June 13th, so please vote and send your ballot back as soon as you receive it.
A ballot from AAA will be mailed to your address currently on file with the UFT. If you do not receive a ballot in the mail by May 20, or you misplaced it, please call the American Arbitration Association (AAA) at 800-529-5218 to request a duplicate ballot.
The Wire: Powered by Educators of NYC is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
VOTE TODAY and Get out the Vote; Fix Para Pay Town Hall, today. RSVP
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Paras, did you vote in the para chapter election? Did you receive your ballot? |
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Fix Para Pay is running several para candidates against the Unity slate and its current leadership that have failed to deliver a living wage and better conditions for New York City paraprofessionals. Fix Para Pay is committed to fighting, alongside with you, for a living wage, a fair contract and respect. Enough is enough! Please get the word out to all other UFT paras in our schools that change is here. And that change begins with voting for the Fix Para Pay slate. Ballots were mailed on or around May 9-10. Look for the envelope from the American Arbitration Association (AAA). It’s important to note that the ballot will be from the AAA, not the UFT. If voting in the UFT para election, please check the Fix Para Pay slate box to vote for the entire Fix Para Pay slate. We need you to only mark this box only. Voting for other individual candidates will affect the entire slate. Once you’ve checked the Fix Para Slate box, put the front page of the ballot into the secure, Secret Ballot envelope, and put that into the mailing envelope addressed to AAA. Ballots for the chapter election must be received at the AAA no later than June 13th, so please vote and send your ballot back as soon as you receive it. A ballot from AAA will be mailed to your address currently on file with the UFT. If you do not receive a ballot in the mail by May 20, or you misplaced it, please call the American Arbitration Association (AAA) at 800-529-5218 to request a duplicate ballot. Lastly, after you vote, please contact 5 other paras, or as many as you know, and tell them: Let’s fight together to FIX PARA PAY! Vote for the Fix Para Pay slate. |
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Fix Para Pay Election Virtual Town Hall: Today, Wednesday 5/29 at 6:30 PM |
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Our first few virtual town halls have been a huge success! Scores of paras and UFT members joined the meetings. And the energy has been exciting and palpable. NYC paras aren’t playing around. We are demanding a living wage, now! Please attend today’s town hall and invite other paras to join this growing grassroots movement! |
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HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED TODAY
Sign the FIX PARA PAY petition at: petition.fixparapay.org
Complete the FIX PARA PAY survey at: tinyurl.com/nycparasurvey
Join the fight for a LIVING WAGE AND FAIR CONTRACT at: fixparapay.org/join
Download, print and share the FIX PARA PAY flyer with others: tinyurl.com/fixparapayflyer
Forward this email to all of your para contacts. Follow up with them by phone call, text or in-person.
UFT Paras for A Fair Contract |
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