Nixon vs. Cuomo - Debate Tonight

 

Andy for Gov!

Teachers must be held accountable for everything.

     The UN has said that 'the right to strike is a universal democratic right of all employees, regardless of where they are employed: Real or public sector.'  That right is not afforded those of us in essential NYC municipal services like teaching under the current Taylor Law. It institutes tough penalties for those that do - fines at double the amount of wages per worker for each day out, jail for the union president, fines at about a million a day for the union and usually very bad press. What's in it for those that strike? The ability to force the hand of those that have the ability to change things for the better. How? Usually improved working conditions and/or pay. What would make the rank and file take such extreme measures? Dangerous working conditions, constant disrespectful and/or illegal actions toward members, raising costs without requisite pay increases and higher retirement ages as well as another inferior Tier #, are some items that come to mind. Has a NYC municipal union gone on strike in the recent past? Well, it's been a while. The last one I remember was a transit strike in  December 2005 during a brutally cold winter. Even though many of us were inconvenienced, we supported our union brothers and sisters in their action. Schools were still intact back then - as were teacher's cafeterias, lounges and common areas. Chapter leaders were respected, knowledgable, had weekly meetings and stood up to abuses of authority. All that's gone now. Erased with the advent of Bloomberg's and Weingarten's endorsed 2005 Teacher's contract. Teaching as an occupation has been replaced with an overwhelming sense of DREAD. Everyone is in it for self-preservation. Everyone is covering their ass - from admins down to the custodial staff. There is no sense of comradery, loyality or pride. The UFT with its Unity enthroned pooh-bas has cultivated much of the current apathy, in that it has found in doing so it can maintain a stranglehold of power. It's worked very well for them - not so well for the rank and file.
     Why do I bring all of this up? Well NYS gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon has publicly said we, municipal employees, should have the right to strike. Would we ever strike? There might come a time. If a candidate is running with that right as part of her platform, we should vote for her. Don't hold your breath waiting for the UFT to endorse her - Andy Cuomo is also running and helped the UFT by making it difficult for disaffected union members to opt out of paying dues. This is the same guy that takes money from those that hate us, makes the city pay for charter school rents and makes us share our schools with them.
    There's a debate on tonight between Nixon and Cuomo. Check it out and vote.