No Response on Healthcare News- UFT Executive Board Meeting, 1/8/2024

Summary/Minutes:

• I asked UFT leadership to comment on the leaked PSC email showing that, despite Mulgrew’s characterization that we would only select a new plan if it’s ‘better’ than our current one, in reality we may see that “(1) Participants will continue to have a choice of providers and hospitals, but the city and MLC plan for outpatient providers and hospitals to be “tiered.” Some hospitals/providers would charge zero or low deductibles/co-pays, while others would charge mid-level and higher-level deductibles/co-pays; or that (2)The new CBP may reduce participants’ choices by shifting costs to participants, likely through higher co-pays for out-of-network provider visits, higher charges for imaging and/or more pre-authorization requirements.” The question, frankly, was dodged, which in my mind doesn’t bode well.
• Sean Rockowitz spoke about the UFT’s congestion lawsuit, although we still don’t have any information of just how the ‘UFT’ came to the decision to file and fund a lawsuit that many of its members disagree with.
• For more, see below.

Official minutes approved.

Open Mic:

A chapter leader spoke about Israel and Gaza.

Reports

LeRoy Barr:

2 petitions sent to executive board members that we’d like members to sign – 1 on the right to shelter and 1 on (stopping) the budget cuts.

State of state tomorrow – Mulgrew will be there.

Chapter leader weekends are coming up.

Leo Gordon:

AFT CSI meeting. On the 29^th, a CTE conference, virtual, 8am-3PM. Will send registration information to those here.

There is a CTE meeting on Wednesday – reminder to CLs.

CTE award ceremony opening for registration next week.

Sean Rockowitz:

UFT filed lawsuit on Tuesday with the SI president on congestion pricing. I’ll give an idea of the lawsuit. There was no EIS survey done, just an Environmental Assessment (EA) which shows that pollution would move to places like the Bronx that have high rates of asthma. Students in SI will be affected, percentage of damage increases. To some, might sound like moving pollution to SI, Bronx…

Mike Sill:

 Teachers choice: spending deadline is Jan. 12, forms the week after.

Mayoral control: 2 hearings so far – most speakers for end to mayoral control. Wed. in BK.

Substitutes: People being moved to Q status. Keep getting more submissions – means covering for a vacancy, deserve to be paid like an appointed teacher. Important issue because you can’t get benefits retroactively, only money.

Janella Hinds:

 Jan. 29 is a remote PD for high schools. Understand that admin may be asking to come in. Talk to DR if there’s an issue.

P. Crispino

In D2, there are people in power saying that trans kids don’t exist. I went to the pep as the 62-year old lesbian that I am. Chancellor said encouraging things – hate has no place here. Makes me hope he is going to do something. Kids kill themselves over this stuff. I was suicidal in the 70s when they denied existence. Had colleagues go to the CEC and asked for removal because they have no right to make decisions about children.

Question Period

Nick Bacon:

Michael Mulgrew spoke about upcoming healthcare changes at the last DA. PSC, which is also a member of the MLC, sent out an email to their members mentioning some of the changes might be negative – things like tiered payments (some hospitals/providers being more money than others) or there being more prior authorizations or higher copays. This was not in Mulgrew’s presentation. Would like some clarification as to how this looks in either of the submissions by the two finalists to replace GHI. Also, are the replacements being proffered from Emblem-United or Aetna exclusively PPO plans? If not, what are they?

LeRoy Barr:

 Joe Usatch can answer the latter part of your question but probably not the former. Maybe Mulgrew can answer that.

Joe Usatch:

What is being looked at to be replaced is with a PPO. I’m not involved in the other negotiations.

Ilona Nanay:

Following on member’s talk from earlier – Randi called for a ceasefire, will UFT change their stance?

LeRoy Barr:

We have had lengthy debates – don’t need to go further than that. We are part of the AFT.

Yona Adika:

If we study history, world war 2 / Nazi Germany, it happened slowly and insidiously, almost ended in the extermination of my ancestors. What we are seeing today is something dire. Jewish teachers are hiding in closets; students are screaming F*** Israel and F*** the Jews in Borough Park. Jan 27. Is Holocaust Remembrance Day – what are we doing to teach peace and love and acceptance.

LeRoy Barr:

Have some things for Holocaust Remembrance Day. It’s a difficult time for the country, both Jewish, Muslim, gay, and people of color feeling harassed and intimidated. Have to teach tolerance and understanding. Had calls on all sides of the category just mentioned – feel for all people. We have the responsibility that lessons, conversations, effect what just said. Speak to J. Goldberg about what’s being done about Holocaust Remembrance Day.

All populations, not just one.

Ilona Nanay:

 I asked about a budget presentation?

LeRoy Barr:

Date has been set, usually happens in Fall, with the pandemic we didn’t. Budget already set, but we will have a less full presentation that may have answers on things like what we’re budgeting. UFT is solvent.

Ilona Nanay:

 Moms for Liberty is having an event. What can we do to cancel that?

LeRoy Barr:

Invites that dates be shared. UFT can be there, so people who want to be heard can be heard.

Reports from Districts

Ibeth Mejia:

CL at Aviation High School. Fighting so that space for C6 math tutoring is collective like it used to be, not separated. Wore T-Shirts, admin asked us not to. Spoke to Superintendent, who gave me tea, but then said she would not overrule a principal decision. We can’t have our voices ignored. Thanks a few staff members and unionists who helped (Janella Hinds, Amy Arundell, James Vasquez, Camile Eterno, Sam Lazarus).

Janella Hinds:

Relentless commitment – never easy when admin don’t answer at all because it isn’t easy. Those who start up deserve continued support. We will work with you. Petty fights. Many of us are used to that. Will continue to fight.

LeRoy Barr:

Want to thank Ibeth.

Name Missed:

Para chapter – sped training virtually, last tomorrow for SI.

DeShana Barker:

Queens Borough office hosting second welcome for asylum seekers – 100 kids coming for necessities. Last year had 300+, but scaled down because wanted to make sure that this time everyone went home with something. Looking for volunteers.

Michael Friedman:

Thanks LeRoy – have to speak well even in personal communications. Doesn’t have to be zero sum. Have had conversations with people about asylum speakers, and I stop talking when they say the word ‘illegals.’ Same with Israel – doesn’t have to be zero sum. We can be sympathetic to Gaza as well as the Oct. 7 victims of rape and murder –

CL Guest Speaker:

No evidence of rape, stop perpetuating that lie.

*Audible gasps*

LeRoy Barr:

Won’t rule you out of order, but please be respectful.

RaShad Brown:

Want to lock in some dates – black history movies, titles to come (dates missed).

Ilona Nanay:

Event from Moms of liberty called giving parents a voice on Jan 18, Manhattan mayoral control hearing. That type of hate unacceptable.

‘Uptown UFT’ (group of 3):

Collaboration – had wonderful event on 3 Kings Day – so many that this was first time. Some well attended events, have another on Feb. 14.

Raul Garcia:

Having an event at UFT – in person, registration already over. We need training implicit bias, dealing all the time.

Legislative Report:

Vaneesa Williams: NYSUT endorsed Suozzi for C3. Virtual meeting. Another special election coming for ADS 77. Sent our condolences to H. Jeffries.

Adjourned.