Is UFT’s New Virtual Instruction Program a Strike-Break Risk?
Teacher unionists everywhere need to be aware of what is going on right now in Youngstown, Ohio. Teachers there are readying to strike, following a breakdown in contract negotiations. They had been offered an offensively low wage increase (2%), to name one of several reasons for the job action. In r
Los Angeles Teachers Get 21% Raises – Without Even Having to Strike
UTLA has announced a tentative deal with the City of Los Angeles that includes 21% in raises over just three years. The signatures are still pending, but I don’t expect a no-vote on this one. Not only do the raises put our dismal pattern to shame; they aren’t even the only economic gains
Should teachers wear uniforms? Some thoughts on the PBA contract and the uniform pattern.
PBA now has a contract. The details are better than DC37’s, which has led to some questions and confusion amongst rank and file in the UFT. In this post, I analyze some of the details/implications, answering some questions I’ve seen circulating along the way. So, yes, teachers and all other R
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.
Striking is not Antiquated: L.A. education workers prove UFT leadership wrong with 30% Salary Increases
Last week, we had the displeasure of hearing the party of our union leadership argue against members having the right to strike. In the land of pattern bargaining, striking is antiquated, said one. It’s white privilege, said another. We don’t need the right, because we’d strike anyways if thin
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
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
How Not to Fight the Friedrichs Case!
By Michael Shulman, Co-chair, New Action/UFT By now most union members have heard of the Friedrichs case before the US Supreme Court. The threat is real and in the hands of this conservative court it is almost a given that the justices will rule against all unions and eliminate dues check-off . The
Friedrichs – A Grave Threat to our Union
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the November 2015 UFT Delegate Assembly). For a printable version click: Leaflet 2015 November (front) There is a case being heard at the Supreme Court, Friedrichs vs California Teachers Association, that seeks to eliminate dues check-off across this lan
The Long Road to Madison, Wisconsin
by Arjun Janah, Brooklyn, February 26th, 2011 In 1959, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to grant municipal employees and teachers the right to bargain collectively for wages and benefits. In 1967, this was extended to all state employees. It is perhaps worth noting that the first law was pass