Organizing against a stacked deck: analyzing the UFT ‘Grade-Ins’ today
Today, we’ll witness phase 2 of UFT’s official contract actions. The flagship of this phase is the ‘grade in,’ where members will choose a public place near their schools and perform paperwork, planning, grading, or other administrative duties. Here is the idea from UFT’s official material
UFT Contract Update and Analysis – Get Ready for a Pay Cut
Bad news abounds on the upcoming UFT contract. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and the rest of our members deserve answers on why. While, I’m bound by NDAs not to disclose what is said in the 500-member negotiating committee, I have more flexibility with information given in the Executive Board, Dele
UFT/DC37 Contract Watch – It Gets Worse
Surprise, surprise – it’s not looking good for the UFT’s next contract. In an exploitative misuse of pattern bargaining, Adams set up DC37 to vote in sub-inflation wage increases that other municipal unions will be ‘stuck with.’ But, rumor had it that DC37 rank-and-file were overwhelmi
DC37 Sets Pattern Below Mostly Non-Unionized U.S. Average
It’s the last day of school before a much needed vacation, so just a few words on the terrible pattern set by the DC-37 contract. I’ll write something more in depth later. A 3% wage increase is absolutely horrendous. It’s far below inflation, which is running into the double digits
UFT: Let’s do those contract teach-ins right today
Contract teach-ins start today. As I wrote last week, I’m in favor of the teach-ins, albeit with some modifications. I support them to the extent that they help members learn, think, and build some organizing infrastructure around our contract. I oppose them to the extent that the timing is odd (t
New UFT Contract Passes: New Action Sees Many Gains, Yet Has Many Reservations
Members voted for a contract that has some very important gains. At the same time, it does not deal with some very important issues. While receiving an 80% vote from almost all units it was rejected by OT’s and PT’s. It is our obligation to stand in solidarity with the OT’s and PT’s. They wi
Janus – It Takes a Fight to Win
This year the UFT and membership may face the most difficult year in our history with the adverse U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Janus case. We are convinced Chapter Leaders and activists in our schools will rise to the occasion and support our union by convincing every member to pay union dues.
Did you get fooled into voting for higher co-pays?
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the March 2016 UFT Delegate Assembly). For a printable version click: Leaflet 2016 March Co-pays are jumping: Emergency Room visits – up from $50 to $150. Urgent Care – from $15 to $50. MRIs from $15 to $50. Specialists – from $15/$20 to $30. Blo
Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
Last April New Action proposed that UFT members should be entitled to paid parental leave. UFT members are often shocked to learn that all they receive upon having a child is six weeks of UNPAID maternity leave. Eight months later de Blasio may be helping this to happen. But why did our union not ra
Retroactive Pay and Fairness
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the October 2015 UFT Delegate Assembly) In a disheartening turn, after unusually harsh commentary by a teacher who is employed by the union, the Unity leadership, followed by its caucus, voted en bloc against letting the delegates debate the issue. For a