So many things seem to be on the cusp of change that I think it's important to look at where we are now and where things could go soon.
DOE/UFT - Are they one and the same? The December 23rd debacle tells me they are. Mulgrew and the DOE collaborated on a new contract that was ratified. One of the many important aspects of this collaboration is the approval of the 2019-20 school calendar. This calendar was approved by the UFT. Either the UFT outrightly agreed to this or saw it and didn't care. Now Mr. Mulgrew is scratching his head and obfuscating. He figured the walking dead wouldn't notice until next fall. Oh, well - he'll make some motions, exclaim outrage and there will be school on December 23rd. This in and of itself is indicative of what the UFT has become - incompetent, indifferent and perhaps complicit in taking the side of the employer over the rank and file. Make no mistake, this is no minor faux pas. If the rank and file allow this and don't fight it - there will more than a day taken back in the future. Give an inch and they'll take a mile. You don't have to be psychic (or psycho) to see where this gradual acclamation may lead - no more mid-winter break and/or shorter summer breaks.
Janus - Will there be more teachers opting out this year? There were hundreds willing and ready to drop out last July, but they missed the deadline. A little knowledge goes a long way and the merry month of May is about gone and June is almost upon us. Who is happy with the UFT? Newbies? No. Vets? No. ATRs? No. Discontinued teachers? No. CTE teachers? No. ESL teachers? No. Do you know anyone, other than those who work directly for the UFT, that are happy with the UFT? I don't and I believe there will be an uptick in those opting out this June - despite the ATR buyout and the new contract. I personally believe it your duty to withhold dues until the UFT start to represent all fairly. I also feel its important to put that money to the side and give it to the UFT when they change; and change they must. People no longer have to scream into their pillow when they become frustrated with the invisible UFT - they can and will withhold dues. Unless the UFT becomes more transparent, democratic and responsive a flutter from a few butterflies wings will grow to become a hurricane.
Lies My Union Told Me - I've heard some whoppers, (and most folks eat them right up), from the UFT. Let's clear them up. The UFT is not the provider of your healthcare. You don't lose your healthcare. You're still covered by the same rules and regs, your pay won't be reduced to $25,000 a year and you can't legally be singled out for retribution by anyone. If your chapter leader, the one drinking champagne out of the principal's shoe, calls you a gink, fink or fool - she or he will become the ATR, if you decide to report it to the DOE.
Biden?! - Don’t listen to the nonsense coming out of the Democratic Party. The only person that has a shot of knocking Trump off his perch is Bernie. The Dems would prefer to back a loser and have Trump in office if the choice is Bernie. He scares the crap out of them. There is very little difference between the two major parties. The Dems are preparing their knives for Bernie’s back. The Dems will use everything at their disposal to keep the nomination from him - currently it’s a poll showing Biden is far ahead of Bernie in popularity.
Enjoy the last few weeks of spring.
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Stories herein containing unnamed or invented characters are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.