In Memoriam to James Eterno
James Eterno passed from us on February 6, 2024. He was a longtime leader in New Action and served with many of us in campaigns on behalf of UFT members. Although James left New Action he remained an ardent trade unionist; he served as a mentor to many and was involved in a profound way […]
NO-ING YOUR RIGHTS: A BRIEF BREAKDOWN OF OUR VAGUE CONTRACT – Ginsberg
Ironclad. Indisputable. Irrefutable. Three words that should never be uttered when describing our albatross of a contract – or, what we think is our contract. The most recent complete version available online is from 2014, along with Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) from 2018 and 2023. One woul
6 Predictions on Healthcare
Most UFT members are aware that major changes are coming to our healthcare. The MLC and Michael Mulgrew requested proposals from insurance companies that would cost the City less money. Essentially, healthcare cuts for all City workers. The reason Mulgrew and the MLC are looking to save the City mon
UFT Leadership Gets a C-….And That’s with Grade Inflation…
Every teacher has had that student, happy to coast by doing the bare minimum, but with so much potential. These can be the most frustrating and gratifying students in the class. Their comments in class are solid, but their homework is inconsistent. Their tests and quizzes are passable, but their pap
THE BELL TOLLS FOR WE: COULD THE VIRTUAL LEARNING CLAUSE IN OUR NEW CONTRACT BE A DEATH KNELL FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR PROFESSION? – By David Ginsberg
The odds of virtual learning destroying the teaching profession are not nearly as remote as you may think, thanks to a provision in our new contract. Buried in pages 14-18 of the Memorandum of Agreement (link: https://files.uft.org/contract2023/DOE-MOA.pdf), a legitimate threat to our profession and
UFT Healthcare Changes, Teachers Choice, and the Conflict in Israel/Gaza – UFT Delegate Assembly Notes, 10-11-2023
Summary/Highlights: At today’s DA, we learned a few things: Informal minutes follow. Mulgrew: Welcome to first DA of the school year. A lot of stuff to do today. There was a big press conference here today. In 2011 when there was a really algorithm and started messing with children and making a de
Do As I Say – Not as I do: UFT Executive Board Meeting Minutes, 10-2-2023
Today’s executive board meeting had many themes. In the end, though, I realized that perhaps the best theme of the night was ‘do as I say, not as I do.’ We heard about resolutions to fix what’s wrong with the City opening school during life threatening storms, without specifying how the unio
What should the UFT do in the midst of climate/weather emergency?
New Action / UFT has been busy lately, with Marianne Pizzitola and Kate Connors joining us last week to discuss healthcare, and with three subcommittees meeting later this week to discuss organizing (Oct. 3 at 5:30 PM), abusive administrators (Oct. 4 at 5:30 PM), and Tier 6 reform (Oct. 5 at 5:30 PM
New Action General Meeting with Guest, Marianne Pizzitola
New Action will have our first general meeting of 2023-2024 on September 27 at 5:30 PM. Marianne Pizzitola will be our special guest to discuss the healthcare fight. The following week, we will begin holding our subcommittees (also at 5:30 PM). Feel free to join as many or as few as you’d
Remote Parent Engagement: Analyzing the Fine Print
During the 2023 contract campaign, UFT leadership opted not to fight for better pay. They did, however, push hard on reducing micromanagement. And, when—out of the blue—a final contract draft was dropped on us for a rushed ratification vote, many of us were happy that at least we’d get out of