Thoughts on Janus

                                   

   Is the Janus decision a big deal for you? Would you even recognize a non-existent UFT from the one we currently have? How will your life change? Will it change? Will it be for good or ill? Is there any perk left that the UFT hasn't traded? Is it wrong to be completely indifferent to this decision, much as the UFT has been to us for so many years? These are some of the questions that may be swirling around your head as you make vacation plans or while you catch up on your sleep for the next few days. I'll answer them personally from my perspective as a veteran teacher that was transformed into a babysitter.

     Is this a big deal for you? Yes, it's a big deal. I see it as an opportunity for the UFT to reclaim its historical significance. I don't want to drop OUT of the UFT - I want to drop IN. Represent me and all ATRs fairly. Give us the opportunity to teach again or procure a realistic buyout. That means fighting for the end of Fair Student Funding. We also need a proper medium to voice our opinions and questions. We need our own chapter.

    Would you even recognize a non-existent UFT from the one we currently have? No, I would not.

     How will your life change? Look for a more responsive union. Look for pressure - positive at first and then negative.

     Will it be for good or ill? I believe this has the potential to save the union from the virus that is currently infecting it. As with most viruses we have become sick and tired. The UFT has to fight the salmonella that was contracted from all those quail dinners. That means we have to start personally fighting this virus, in order to strengthen our collective body for an outside fight.

     Is there any perk left that the UFT hasn't traded? Of course, there is. Summer vacations and our TDA. I think that's about it, but those two items I don't want to lose.

    Is it wrong to be completely indifferent to this decision? Yes and no. Yes, its wrong if you don't recognize its significance, and no, it's not wrong to feel a certain amount of schadenfreude. For my non- German friends, schadenfreude means the experience of self satisfaction from learning of the troubles of others. Here's the thing though, the 'others' should include us - that it doesn't and that we may feel schadenfreude is indicative of just how exclusive the UFT has become. The UFT and we as individuals need to work on this.

   Call the UFT today or write a letter explaining what you'd like to do to strengthen the UFT. I'd like to be part of an ATR Chapter and part of a teaching staff with my own classes and students. Hopefully, we will no longer be ignored en masse.