Strikes, charters, contract, and endorsements: UFT Delegate Assembly Summary/Analysis/Minutes, 4-10-2023
Quick Summary/Analysis: Informal Minutes Mulgrew: Introduces Pallotta, who did great work for us on the political side at NYSUT. NYC teacher who is retiring. Andy Pallotta (Outgoing NYSUT President): Been a UFT member, District Rep. When we work together we do great things. Thanks for your support o
UFT Endorsements are Imminent – Let’s Make Informed Votes
It’s Spring Break, and UFT members are in the midst of well-deserved vacations. But, it’s also endorsement season for NYC City Council and certain judicial seats. In fact, UFT leadership voted in two big lists of endorsements at the last executive board meeting, so we should expect a vote at the
Michael Shulman’s WBAI Interview Transcribed
Earlier this week, Michael Shulman was interviewed by Daniel Alicea on his WBAI radio show, Talk out of School. That essential interview is also transcribed below. Danieal Alicea: I’m on the line with Michael Shulman. He is a retired educator, who taught in New York City schools for 36 years.
Privatization of UFT Positions; Political Endorsements: UFT Executive Board Minutes 4-3-2023
Summary/Analysis: During the open mic, two visiting members spoke about the ongoing conflict going on for Instructional Coordinators and Social Workers in the DOE’s early childhood department. As a recap, massive excessing occurred over the summer and there is good reason to believe that the City
A Glimpse into a Day of Organizing: Grade-Ins and Healthcare Petitions
Writing can only be one small piece of unionism. Directly after publishing my piece yesterday analyzing the grade-ins (which was blatantly and maliciously misrepresented by Unity), I organized. Like many others in New Action and across the union’s progressive opposition, I did my part and shot
Healthcare, Tucker Carlson, and Maternal Mortality – UFT Executive Board Minutes, 3-27-2023
Quick Summary/Analysis: Tonight was mostly about healthcare. Kate Connors came to the Open Mic to talk about the New York Health Act. Ed Calamia asked about Aetna’s ongoing MAP fraud case, to which leadership answered it would not affect our deal. I asked about what specific ‘cost savings’ wer
Why ‘the UFT’ can threaten to sue its elected opposition representatives without a vote – and other notes from the 3/20/2023 UFT Executive Board Meeting
Quick Summary/Analysis: There was a bunch of debate about why the UFT is using our dues/resources to threaten to sue its own members (members who happen to be in the opposition) without any known process of coming to that decision. Two members came in to plead to keep our healthcare (traditional Med
Why doesn’t UFT leadership want us to have the right to strike?
At last week’s DA, James Cole of MORE proposed an amendment to a resolution celebrating the UFT’s 60th anniversary. Had it passed, the amendment would have added language that recognized the role of striking in the formation and early success of the UFT. More controversially, it would have also
UFT Leadership to Members: CityMD Copays should be $400; we’re better off without the right to strike. Notes on the 3-15-2023 Delegate Assembly.
Quick Summary/Analysis: Big news tonight on healthcare. Mulgrew not only justified our new $100 copays to CityMD, but said if he had the power, he’d make it $400. Not sure teachers and paraprofessionals agree there, but hey, read the minutes and see what you think. Kate Connors had an extremely in
Union elections have consequences. One of those consequences is apparently getting your healthcare and retirement benefits stripped away without a membership vote.
Today, the Municipal Labor Commission (MLC) voted to force hundreds of thousands of retirees off of traditional public Medicare and onto one of two privatized Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPs). (Full analysis of those two plans and the UFT’s role: here). Most of the City unions did not vote in f