New Action – UFT

Summary/Analysis: The UFT’s second executive board of the year was strangely eventful for one which followed just 7 days after the opener. (Usually, we wait 2-3 weeks between sessions). Some highlights with analysis:

•  There were some reports on the new contract, especially around the new remote time. Later on in the question period, I asked some clarification questions—and unfortunately confirmed some bad news: we have to do 55 minutes of outreach every week, no matter what. It’s no longer tied to Tuesdays. Now, I’m not against parent outreach – I suspect I do far more than 55 minutes each week anyways. But the problem here is that this realization negates the flexibility we thought we had. Instead of having 55 minutes on Tuesdays but getting to do it whenever you want during the week, we now know that we must work 55 minutes of remote outreach every single week, even if say there are holidays and Friday is the only day that week. Now there’s some nuance here that I’m planning to explore in another blog post, but the bottom line is this: what we thought was going to give us more flexibility is sometimes going to do the opposite. And I don’t think most of us realized that when we voted to ratify the contract.
• Kate Connors spoke about new labor-friendly amendments to the New York Health Act. NYHA, as we know, would create a single payer healthcare plan for residents of our state. New Action’s Executive Board supports the proposed law conditionally. Those conditions are that: there is no extra cost to us (as of now, there isn’t – it would likely be cheaper), the health care stays as good or gets better than our current plans (it does), and out-of-state employees/retirees are given the same treatment without suffering from reduced networks (that appears to also be in the works). LeRoy Barr responded that ‘the UFT’ has not changed his position. Unfortunately, I expect he means Mulgrew’s position (against) and not UFT membership’s (we endorsed a resolution in its support before we even had these positive amendments).
• There was a resolution on the UAW Strike. I didn’t speak on it, as I of course support my fellow unionists and had already spoken enough. But, there was a certain irony to voting to endorse another union’s strike for 40% wage increases over 4 years when Unity Caucus spoke out against gaining our own right to strike, and later mercilessly heckled opposition members for suggesting we ourselves should be strike ready. The DC37 pattern that UFT conceded to without a fight, remember was just 16.37% over 5.5 years. To put this in perspective UAW was offered 21% initially over 4 years – that’s more than we got in our final deal. We heckled our own members for asking for a strike over a smaller wage increase than the offer UAW is rightly striking over. I support the UAW, and also support the UFT being able to strike. UFT leadership supports the UAW, but not our own right to strike. The contradiction should speak for itself.
• Finally, a somewhat personal note on the timed question period. I was surprised when I asked what I thought was an unhostile multi-part clarification question to be continuously interrupted both by (Unity) audience members and the chair. I was even more surprised when I was not allowed to even finish asking the final part of my question (about arbitration – I’ll write more about that in another post). Part of Barr’s rationale for cutting me off was that the question period is limited to 15 minutes, and I’d apparently already taken up 4 (I’d have gotten it down to two if not for the interruptions, shown directly in the minutes, but I digress). So just a note: the question period should not be limited to 15 minutes in the first place. It was unlimited for 60 years and was only made to be limited to 15 when Unity Caucus members voted to do so in a draconian political move to silence non-Unity speakers. Limiting the time high school members can speak is now being coupled with using the time limit as an excuse to treat high school members with hostility. This isn’t good for anyone—it created an awkward and hostile experience that led to a question not being answered during the course of our meeting (though I later found Mark Collins to get clarification and thank him for answering me). Perhaps the solution is to end the question period being limited or let the DA confirm that they want us silenced.   

Unofficial Executive Board Minutes Follow – mostly unedited.

Open Mic:

Kate Connors: Some major amendments to the NY Health Act. They will reintroduce the bill with amendments that are of interest to public sector workers. First one is that whatever contribution from your employer before bill passes – it must continue. That means we wouldn’t pay a dime for health insurance. No copay, no premiums, no deductibles, and exempt from the payroll tax. That is a perk – makes being in a union appealing in case anyone was worried about that variable (the act making unions less desirable). Other folks will have an 80-20 ratio. Most will pay less for their insurance – unless they make over 400,000 dollars. Any benefits that have been negotiated with our union – if they have been negotiated by us, it can’t be taken away, even if it’s otherwise not covered by the  NYHA. The other thing is for the retirees, who are out of state, they will keep the Medicare they currently have, but they moved the goal post and will have 18 months to make sure providers work with them. We are the only industrialized country without universal health care. If anyone is going to change the way, it will be New York. Can’t wait for it to be nationwide – not going to happen that way. Those were the three biggest amendments. Everyone in NYHA gets care from beginning to end. No more evil insurance companies – all gone, no more negotiating. We will collectively bargain with doctors and hospitals. No one will get to screw us at hospitals anymore. Collectively bargained – and that is it. UFT – have to support this. You can’t say healthcare is a human right without supporting this.

Kaitlyn Kelly: CL of PS398. Wanted to come to speak to the union’s support to a grievance matter in my building. November, 2022 – principal denied one of our resolutions in consultation. Went through the normal escalation process, got it fixed. But, principal put out her own consultation minutes, which gave us the right to a union animus grievance. Had 28 out of 32? Sign on. Haid UFT reps come and help us deal with this. Had Step 1 process, grievance denied. At step 2, we began organizing. For instance, Instagram page. Met once a month outside the building to talk about what we wanted and how we could support each other. We have 12 new staff members in the building – all of them showed up. Thank you for the support from the UFT.

President’s Report:

A lot of different marches this weekend, well done. Keep it simple. Contract implementation moving forward. Specifically focused on workday for elementary schools. Also dealing with the remote work idea. Some principals not getting it. Stupidity is the stupidity. NYCDOE ranks high with stupidity. 4 in a row, same rules follow as with middle and high schools.

Acs. Elementary schools. D75, documented 130 rooms. Traditional schools: 176?. Only get what we get from members – but enough for campaign.

Virtual schools, some expansion of the pilot program. Goal is to have all schools with some by February. Want to make sure technology is there for anyone who wants it.

Asylum seekers – millions have done this since 1945 on. When we’re talking about the students, make sure we call them asylum seekers, because the political weaponization is terrible. We’ve been aggressively involved in shaking this issue up, because our students and families have been through incredible situations. Our colleagues are in classrooms doing this work. If you walk into a school, politicians will be told by teachers that politicians have failed these children. Proud of our teachers. Enough is enough. We need a per pupil allotment. Not just in NYC – also some upstate and in Long Island. Those are property tax-based school systems. We know the dog whistles, but that should be taken off the table. Need per pupil allotment.

UAW – we are supporting them. Workers took brunt of economic hit, lost a lot. Enough is enough.

Minutes: Approved.

Recording plays of George Altomare being honored by the City Council.

Reports:

Carl Cambria: On Friday night, OLR released an FAQ on our recent MOA. It went out to superintendents. Wanted to make sure everyone here was aware. FAQ for the most part is very good. Often on point. As with any FAQ, the person writing it has a certain slant and a certain audience. Our audience was UFT members. This audience is for supervisors and principals. For instance, in the investigation section, we say that someone can request the results of an investigation on them. In the DOE FAQ, it’s two pages long, which agency needs to be asked, etc. They’re looking at the back end. For our member, it’s one sentence. You’ll see some of that. Another example of that is around remote work. We’re focused on all titles being able to do remote work. They’re getting into how supervisors approve—or in some cases, deny—remote work. We’ve been dealing with these questions when these come up, e.g. in the functional chapters. We’re working through it. Overall, the FAQ is still a good document.

Mark Collins: Following up on FAQ on which there have been a lot of questions about. First question is parent engagement time on teachers and paraprofessionals. What’s not new is parent engagement, nor is the logging of it. All of this there in 2014, including the log. The list of parent engagement activities is also still with it. What is new is that there’s more time—55 not 40. Also, more significantly you can do it wherever you want. This is not added work time. It was already there, now it’s just not required to be done on site. It also doesn’t need to be done consecutively. We say to do your logging very quickly. It’s simple – write down what you did, to whom was communicated with, and how much time you spent it on. There’s also a part of the parent engagement time in that it’s completely self-directed. Another piece is if you don’t have 55 minutes worth of work to do, you can do it. I suggest you do that – just to account for that time. Emphasis on the time should be the work – not on keeping track of it.

Second topic I want to speak about is remote time for related service providers. There, there’s also 55 minutes, but in that case it’s up to 55 minutes. No dispute about that. Having a hard time believing a related service provider wouldn’t have that much work to do a week and that they couldn’t figure out a way to do that at time. We’ll deal with those situations as they come up. Work with your principal and chapter leader to figure out what types of work can be approved. If all else fails, file an operational complaint. Again, this is nonconsecutive, so if your supervisor is saying it can’t all be on Tuesday – how can it be broken up that way.

LeRoy Barr: October is breast cancer awareness month. DA. Some walks mentioned. A Movember event in D25. Literacy event in D5 – please sign up for shifrts.

Question Period:

Nick Bacon: It used to be that parent outreach was only done on Tuesdays. If there wasn’t school on Tuesdays, you didn’t stay late to do it. But, now we have a new contract where parent outreach no longer has to be done on Tuesdays. My question is, say there is only school 1 day a week, say only a Friday, do teacher still have to do 55 minutes of outreach at some point that week?

Mark Collins: Is there still 55 minutes? You don’t have to do it during a school break, but it’s paid work time for every week regardless of how many days.

Nick Bacon: Ok, so a follow up question: there’s a stipulation that your principal can remove your right to do parent outreach from home; that would be tied to a certain day. I believe that day is Wednesday—saw that in the Paraprofessional contract.

Mark Collins: Yes, if you’re not performing satisfactorily, then it can be required in person on Wednesday.

Nick Bacon: If there’s no school on Wednesday, then would they have to stay on Friday?

Mark Collins: I don’t think so

Nick Bacon: Since this could mean that we are working more hours –

Unity Audience Members: ‘No – there’s no extra time.’

Nick Bacon: No, I mean it’s just logical – we work more time if we have to do outreach no matter what days are in one week. Think about it with PD, we lose a lot of Mondays this year. If this happens on Tuesday, we could end up working extra minutes this year relative to last year and maybe on days we aren’t able to do so (say Fridays).

LeRoy Barr: No, these are the minutes that you should be working. These are not extra minutes; these are the minutes that you should be working. “Extra” implies addl. time beyond what it’s contractual.

Nick Bacon: Compared to last year –

LeRoy Barr: No, you’re framing it inappropriately. I’m just entertaining you to ask multiple questions.

Nick Bacon: Apparently I struck several nerves, so I can sit. Moves to sit.

LeRoy Barr: I don’t have any nerves, you can ask your question.

Nick Bacon: Comes back. Ok then, final question: since this could be problematic, some people were only going to do it on Tuesday, a week comes that there is only a week where school is only on Friday, they have to do 55 minutes that day. I think the contract language is a little bit vague. Is this definitely decided or might it go to arbitration?

Mark Collins: I think I lost what “this” is

Nick Bacon: “This-”

LeRoy Barr: There is only 15 minutes for question. I need you to clarify this fourth or fifth point…..

Nick Bacon: Yes, I’ve been trying, can do so quickly – could have asked it by now but I keep getting interrupted.

LeRoy Barr: I am the chair, not you, I can rule you out of order.

Nick Bacon: Right, so to clarify Mark’s question on my last point –

LeRoy Barr: No, cutting you off. You will have to ask Mark after.

Later after the meeting I confirmed with Mark that yes, theoretically we could go to arbitration on this, as the contract language has some vagaries, though I think that’s unlikely. My read is we’re probably going to get stuck with being held to 55 minutes of logged outreach every single week, even if say there is only a Friday on that week. I’ll post something later with more nuances. Mark did share some helpful insights, and I thank him for staying after to confirm the question.

Alex: Had a teacher, who was discontinued, went to a middle school, was told he couldn’t work at a middle school. What should I tell them?

Amy Arundull: When someone is discontinued, they become a new hire. When a new hire applies, they fill out the application. They have to be cleared by the office of investigations. Person should not lose hope. System needs to have these kinds of checks.

Melody A.  Question about reading curriculum. I’m trained in everything, 60+ hours. Anything to rumor (missed?). Some people were not given access to an AI they need for the curriculum. Mary Vacarro not here, so missed.

Ilona Nanay: My question is around NY Health Act. Will the UFT support it now given the amendments

LeRoy Barr: You should have asked Mulgrew when he was here – but our position hasn’t changed.

Name Missed: Many of you might be following the OT/PT. A lot of static. Our chapter leader resigned. Ray of hope is the 55 minutes of remote work. One duty we have to do is SEISIS. Can we schedule that as part of our remote work?

Mark Collins: I would certainly build that into the schedule and make that argument.

Ed Calamia: Asylum seeker situation. Do we have an informational resource? A lot of people are confused and don’t know what to do think. Is there a video or something? As much as can be covered.

LeRoy Barr: Passed a resolution – maybe people can read that and see how we got to where we are and what we’re going to do. If you don’t have that. Need to get resources to teachers to help them to understand the situation.

Ed Calamia: Nothing that official – just something easy that tells the store.

LeRoy Barr: One of the ways to do that is through a reso.

George Geist:  UFT sent something out about newly released ELL students.

Reports from Districts:

Ashley R: Echoing Kaitlyn Kelly from District 30, which I represent. Organizing happened long before she says – she’s being humble. She got mostly untenured folks to sign on to things. Since then, we’ve been able to help amplify – they did a lot, wearing black, getting community and parental support. In the thick of it right now. That’s where they’re at. It wasn’t easy, but it’s a lesson to us all. Probably one of the strongest chapters in this city. When the pressure gets hot, stay together. She said ‘she can’t fire all of us.’ They stood together. Thanks Kaitlyn Kelly for coming. Other news from District 30 – heard Long Island is a place they want to go. Cohort, which started for dual language teachers. What we learned last year is it became a cohort of how to survive with newly arrived students. Gather voluntarily at our office monthly. So any time people are wondering where they get answers – you have them.

Michael Friedman: Lost of a member of our program (pathways to graduation). From the Phillipines, had stage 4 cancer – from Queens to Manhattan almost every day. When I went to visit her, she asked how I could help her get accommodations so she could still work with her students. There were tears and even some laughter today – speaking about how she brought joy. Digna Minda Efondo.

Aqeel Williams: Bronx UFT office reopened today. Had an event with the Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium. Bronx is doing big things, more to come.

Adam Shapiro: UFT has a long history of altruistic endeavors. Scholarships, 5k, coat drive, toy drive, breast cancer awareness. All of these events which are now yearly were once just getting started. November is a month where we think of issues effecting men – testicular cancer, prostate cancer, suicide. Looking for help in this endeavor. Piloting in D21, but hope is to expand it into a UFT endeavor. You can join the team. Another way is to grow a moustache. Yes, my moustache might embarrass my daughter (laughter), but if it can help raise awareness… Can also order fake moustaches. Can use this as an organizing opportunity.

Rashad Brown: This past summer, NEA delegates went to Orlando for the convention. Touching part of the trip was the trip to the Pulse memorial. Not a dry eye. Brought me to repurpose to why we have a Pride Committee. If you haven’t been, you should go.

Servia Silva: September 30^th, street fair between 2^nd and 3^rd on 120^th. Last time, when had the Making Strides march. Considered why do we consider the color black – metastatic breast cancer. This year the tshirts are black and pink.

Nancy Armando: Shoutout to Health and Safety Department. SEA now fixing everything. Assisted members. SPED department. Unique situation with new admits. Principal was at a loss – staff had no training. Our people got the DOE to step up and train the new employees in that building. Students now getting services.

Lamar Hughes: District 25, executive board at large. Last week at the DA, discussed, but there was an election and our endorsed candidate won (Sam Berger). Thanks political action team. We were thanked by his team. In Queens, we’re starting what we call a political action team. Need to expand our team. If anyone is interested, feel free to give us a shout.

Ilona Nanay: Shoutout climate march. UFT contingency, labor, students. Hopefully momentum keeps moving.

Motions:

Leo Gordon: New resolution, edited from Mike Schirtzer, making motion to substitute. We did have a conversation with Mike Schirtzer, who agreed with all the changes. Some of what we added with resolutions we’ve already endorsed. Actual resolution.

Nick Bacon: There’s some good in this resolution. I’m not going to speak against per se, but just make a few points. Firstly, I like that the resolution keeps some of the language we put in—such as the OSHA temperature range (albeit without that title). There’s some history missing, and I think the resolution would be better with that history—about rank-and-file members organizing themselves to get their own data before 52 Broadway did. I don’t see the need to erase that history, if we’re adding what 52 Broadway did next anyways. I also see that the resolution is written in such a way as to ‘keep doing what we’re doing.’ I don’t like that type of language for two reasons: (1) what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. Other districts have literally held strikes over no ACs. Not saying to add that to the reso necessarily, but we’re committing to resolve to keep just lobbying, even though that hasn’t worked – we still had disastrous conditions on the first days of school after lobbying for years and years. (2) I have a technical or philosophical aversion to resolutions which commit to continue doing things we didn’t agree to do here or at the DA. That may seem silly for a resolution about air conditioners—who has a problem with organizing around air conditioners? But it’s the precedent. We never resolved to fight 12-126, for instance. Signing off on a resolution to continue doing something despite not voting for it here or at the DA supports that undemocratic precedent. So a philosophical or technical point, but worth making. Again, still a lot of good in the reso, but thought these arguments were worth making.

Amy Arundell: I know that there was an online form sent out to people about heat. Still, it is very important for people to know that there is a safety and health liaison. Those liaisons were doing a lot of that work well before that form on. We can’t make Acs that don’t exist. But what I can tell you is that we had a complete list of what we had. So I don’t think this is about when things are brought up. I think it’s about our members knowing. Where we were. So this isn’t a question of who brought up first. This is about not duplicating work, which doesn’t make sense. So setting up another form. Shame on us if people don’t know. Didn’t like the narrative of the other form – tell us what you want because only we care. That isn’t fair to people doing hard work.

Rashad Brown: Echoing what Amy said. Taking politics out of it. UFT is doing something – they were hurt. NYSUT trying to pass legislation at the state level. Difficult to makers.

Nick Bacon: One more thing – the last resolution that I helped write condemned the Mayor and other agencies who failed us – while teachers and students suffered. I can understand why we took that condemnation out of the resolution on Asylum Seekers, since other aspects of that resolution were more important. But in this case, we were failed by the City, and I’m not sure why the resolution is rewritten to suggest that isn’t the case.

Passes unanimously with some abstentions.

Resolution in support of the UAW Strike:

Janella Hinds: Despite making astronomical salaries, workers making pennies. So I ask you to support this.

Motion Carries.

Importance of Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Danny Rodriguez motivates as a descendent of Puerto Rican grandparents who made big sacrifices to be here. Still many Latin American immigrants. Important to honor the work we’ve done. Advocating inclusion.

Servia Silva: Proud chair of Hispanic Affairs Committee. We’ve had this committee since the 60s. Proudly support.

Tanisha Franks: Designated history periods. People are being told their histories don’t matter. This is a period of time that gets neglected a lot – time of the school year. Important for us to shine spotlight. Until these histories are taught completely, we’ll need these periods.

Motion carries unanimously.  

Summary/Analysis: There were two major topics at tonight’s executive board meeting: the demonization of migrants to justify unnecessary budget cuts and the terrible state of air conditioning made all too obvious during last week’s heat wave. Mary Vacarro pointed out that much of the demonization of migrants when it comes to schools isn’t even true—there are lies insidiously circulating about unvaccinated migrant children. I motivated a resolution (full text here), written with 5 other members of the High School Executive Board, to condemn the mayor for his recent communications on migrants, fight the budget cuts he is justifying in their name, and commit to educating our students regardless of migration status. Unity reworded the resolution with softened language on the mayor, keeping most of the more important points, and presented their rewrite as an amendment, which I accepted. The resolution as amended passed unanimously, which I think is a good thing. The UFT needs to stand behind our students and their families – and we need to stand against budget cuts. Mike Schirtzer also co-authored a resolution with 6 members of the High School Executive Board to work to fix air conditioning in our schools (see bottom of this post). Leo Gordon motioned to table the resolution so it could be amended a bit, but there were several presentations about air conditioning to show that UFT officers and staffers are now thinking about the issue. The bottom line is we need functional air conditioners in every classroom, and we need to make sure they stay functional. Right now, we are much too far from that goal, despite promises from many politicians that all would be fixed by now. We are making strides in that direction, but need to make sure the 88 degree maximum floated by NYSUT is dropped significantly.

For more information, including a grievance report, and some notes on Teachers Choice (the final announcement is expected Friday), see below.

Unofficial Minutes.

Moment of silence for 9/11.

Minutes approved.

Reports

Michael Mulgrew: Saturday (Labor Day Parade) successful – large turnout. Good feeling whole day. Today, September 11^th. We want to always remember. First executive board meeting since passing of George Altomare. Moment of silence.

First focus is 4 in a row for elementary schools and bus times. Getting crazy questions about time. No one is working additional time – comes out of existing time. DOE hasn’t given a lot of guidance to principals. Logs, no don’t need logs for PE – already part of electronic system if you’re using it. Principal can just go into the system and check. Expansion of virtual – small number of high schools. Thanks Janella, Leo, Sally-Ann – outreach to high schools. Goal is that each high school has virtual program going by Feb 1. The most popular SBOs inside of our contract. But, we are very creative people. Over 1,000 SBOs this year. A lot has to do with the 100 minutes, broken up. That’s popular.

Started survey – problems with heat. Not every high school is air conditioned. Remember two different mayors having press conferences about this – declared great successes. It is not. Trying different things. Had a bill signing here. One was the 2006 Workplace Violence Prevention Act, called out schools because boards didn’t want schools covered. We’ve been fighting ever since. They said SED already has SAVE – one of most useless legislation of all time; didn’t want to be under DOL. We want to be under DOL – much better protections in place. Governor signed law here. Who thought OSHA should apply everywhere but schools? No reason for it – pushing aggressively. There are 1,000s of air conditioners not installed because electrical systems haven’t been put in. Over 200 CLs responded to survey. 2500 classrooms – already have that data. Will see at end of this week. We will use that as part of strategy to fix.

Finally able to get 1 year temporary waiver for anyone with a bilingual certificate but aren’t currently working under that certificate. Probationary year waved for this year. We’re talking with DOE about what incentive package might look like. First time we’ve won that argument – because SED has always said ‘no you have to prove you can teach this subject.’ Old legislation. Many don’t get through tenure cycle. If you can demonstrate you can teach in a NYC school and have the coursework and mastery of subject base, should be incentivizing. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could go back and forth as needed?

First executive board. Priority is contract implementation. When silliness starts, we need to know about it immediately. Chancellor responsive to many of the issue. Chancellor says he likes the contract – so I said remind your principals they need to follow it. Surprises will happen – they do every year.

Hoping to have great school year this year. Contract is more than money. It’s better for all titles in this union if those words become the reality of the workplace.

Mary Vacarro: Something bothered me when we spoke about our asylum seeking students. One of the points of misinformation is that students don’t need vaccinations – not true. Students may not have all their vaccinations, but just like all other students, the rules have not been lessened. They get a certain number of days (30) after which they can be excluded if they don’t have the vaccinations. I have stopped with DOE officials myself, they are getting vaccinations. There is no changing of rules.

Mark Collins: Grievance update. First off, while working on contract, we also got union contract at the little red school house. Happy for our faculty there as well as the maintenance staff who we also represent. Precedential decisions:

Paras: A then-substitute para was alleged to have stolen PPE from the rec center. Working with the investigative department, found people working who testified about what was really going on. Para was cleared.

Another para was accused of giving a marijuana chocolate to a school-based friend. That person accused him of giving it to her. We called a great many witnesses who testified on behalf of para. Medical documentation showed burden of proof not met. Para reinstated with back pay.

Injury in the line of duty: Attacking causal factor, but in this case a teacher tripped and fell in a hallway. No dispute of that, but when she said it was a wet surface, they claimed it wasn’t wet. But we had overturned.

Arbitration win precedential at Aviation High School: Took about 11 months to get through courts, but the award was reaffirmed after DOE tried to vacate award.

Jennifer Long: Some context on air conditioning in schools. We do not have any City/State/Federal laws applying to schools. We do have upper limits, but they won’t help in this situation. These are requirements about how buildings are managed in the city – which requires 78 degrees throughout the summer. That’s the minimum. Anyone who has been in 78 knows that it’s very warm – hot. Energy usage. That said, NYSUT and the UFT has a longstanding bill we’ve been trying to push along for a long time. No traction. AC for All – narrow band of installing Acs in all buildings, has fulfilled promise of installing units in instructional spaces (not office spaces, not gyms, not cafeterias – even though instruction happens in many of these spaces). That central pot of money is now dried up (as of 2022). A lot of maintenance/installation – the price has shifted back to principals. No regulations there to put Acs in for principals and staff. HVACs running everywhere, can’t do it all. HVAC is the future!

Question Period:

Mike Schirtzer: Any update on Teachers Choice?

Mike Sill: Give you information without overpromising. DOE came to us at long last to tell us that the numbers they had were the same as last year, but that hasn’t been released yet, because we’re trying to extend teachers choice for the first time to paraprofessionals. We’re not there – trying. The cost has to be work to benefit. Expect numbers to be released by this Friday. Knock on wood.

Ronnie Almonte: New principal at school. Telling teachers to use same materials – alignment, alignment, alignment. Understand alignment to some extent, but some of us are questioning whether admin can dictate which books each teacher uses. Wondering if there’s room to push back – article 24 of the contract in particular.

Janella Hinds: Yes, professional conciliation is what I was thinking of. Looking forward to speaking with you about how we can start that process over at your school.

Luli Rodriguez: Heard from a number of substitute teachers – principal was not paying the right rate. Want to know the status and what actions will be put in place.

Mark Collins: Probably the most common grievance we have in the city – having substitute teachers being paid at the rate. Their entitlement to be paid at the higher rate is a function of several things – unique cases. Hope that if they are aware that they’ve been paid incorrectly. I can connect with you for the names affected and we can go from there.

George Geiss: Thank you for push for Acs. A few years ago did FOIL request – did not get info back. This is huge so thank you for that. Question about locked doors in buildings – update on that?

Jennifer Long: As far as we know, they’ve been installed in 35 schools throughout the summer. Intent was to do it over the summer, realistically most not. Not much to say – only 35 buildings. Issues with installation (asbestos, etc). Delays.

Ilona Nanay: Question around healthcare. Changes to premiums – something about HIP no longer being an option for new teachers. What’s going to happen?

Joe Usatch: The HIP mandate sunsetted on June 30^th. So new employees don’t have to take it anymore – that’s a good thing. As of now, GHI and HIP remain premium free. No talk at this point. Negotiated acquisition is still happening. Not a party to it, so can’t speak to it, but know it’s going on. MAP is on appeal pending the appeal from Aetna. But at this point, there are new premiums being put on HIP and GHI. Two times a year, typically, the City—usually in Jan and July—rates change for city health plans. So, as in-service, have 10 to choose from. Over 90 percent teach GHI or HIP, because they’re premium free. The other plans that are there—pre-medicare retirees often use if go somewhere without coverage—a notice comes out to show increases. Yes, there have been increases in each of those plans. One of the reasons HIP and GHI remain premium free is because so many are in them. Controlling costs in the other 8 is harder, with fewer in them.

Lisa H: Posting today at my school. Called because I didn’t understand what the position was. She said the IEP teacher position no longer exists. Was told to post the Special Ed Intervention teacher.

Mary Jo Genese: Yeah, the name changed, but the duties are the same. Should have been posted – really came out really late in June.

Reports from Districts:

Janella Hinds: Hot labor summer, hot labor parade this summer. Thanks many. All sorts of unions – entertainment, healthcare, education, etc. Proud to stand with all of you on Saturday.

Mike Schirtzer: Great website sponsored by UFT called Students of NYC. Some of my students are featured. Encourage you to encourage you to encourage your students. Read one of my students – Emily – will make you cry. Queens UFT held a Union Day. Great to bring my son to a family union event.

DeShana Barker: UFT Family Day amazing event, over 1,000 at complex. Hopefully next year bigger and better.

Aqeel Williams: Dealing with the hot school stuff. Happy to report that press office worked with Highbridge Green MS in District 9 with parents and students. CBS News did a report, aired many times. Happy to see UFT doing things proactively. Almost inhumane some of the temperatures in the classrooms. One school, HVAC school, even backup system not working. Hoping to do a report on that school too – inhumane.

Elizabeth Espert: Last Wednesday, town hall and community conversation. Question on the table was for newcomers – children come first.

Rashad Brown: Advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Last weekend in June is Pride Weekend – this room was full of people across the state. Gave scholarships to high school seniors. Marched.

Joe Usatch: Brand new teachers have 30 days to enroll in a City health plan. Go to NYCAPS and enroll. Current in-service members and retirees have an open enrollment period in November – changes to take place Jan 1^st. Welfare fund completed that chart – up on websites. If anyone enrolled in the wrong version of GHI or HIP – send over to us and we’ll try to get you out of it and into the premium free plans.

Lamar Hughes: Date now, Jan. 27^th, 2024, D. 25 as a whole, having a hockey night. You’re all invited. It’s also chapter leader training – will be there to do what I have to do. Islanders requisitioned us section, 1/3 of seats already taken. Also, shout out to D25, canvassing for an election, even in torrential storm, showed up minus one.

Ariel Arroyo: Brooklyn, in August had presentations for CLs, many meetings from UFT staffers. Left with info to do school year right.

Victoria Lee: We have 2,000+ members ready to join the retired teacher staff. So far a decline in retirement from last year. Also, number count for each tier is changing. Tier 1 has 17 members working across the City. Tier 2, 4 members. Tier 3, 88 members. Tier 4, 55,417. Tier 6: 55,717. We look forward to seeing what members do in 2024.

Karen Alford: Janella mentioned a ‘hot labor summer.’ New Teacher Week – mass of folks, turning new hires into new members. 2,000 showed up – got cards for 1,600 – then 300 or so online. We’re missing some – so when you go back to your schools, make sure you’re getting teachers enrolled in the union.

Faiza Khalid: District 5, family literacy fair at PS154 in Harlem. If you could pitch in to help. I’ll send out an email.

Vanecia Wilson: New Political director. Governor here last Wednesday to sign two pieces of legislation. One on workplace violence in schools; other one to guide schools to attract underrepresented folks to our profession–make more diverse and retain. Thanks members for canvassing. Person we’ve endorsed is Sam Berger. I won’t tell you what to do. If you’re available to leaflet before or after contractual hours, you can do so, and see Lamar. Motion will come forth – you’ll hear Susan Zhuang who won on primary day for the new district (43^rd). So consider that – important we elect our allies, who we can hold accountable, because we’ll hold them accountable.

Passes unanimously.

Special Orders of Business:

Tom Murphy: Resolution to participate in the NYC Climate March. Sunday, September 17^th. Relatively new teacher, first Earth Day, leading extracurricular students around Tottenville HS. Started in to talk about environment and climate control. Come a long way with positives, but have a long way. When I was a kid in 1950s, working class people used to swim in Staten Island. My father would check the wind to see if the junk was blowing our way or Brooklyn. Now NY Harbor is cleanest it’s been in many years. Big part is fossil fules. Appealing to retirees, but also inservice folks. Ask you to support.

Liz Perez – Resolution: to Endorse Susan Zhuang.Liz Perez: motivates, will advocate for labor and education – act in the best interest of members – City Council District 43.

Ronnie Almonte: Rises against. I live in this district, Sunset Park. Spoke to need to stand with asylum speakers. I live 2 blocks from the rec center hosting over 100 asylum speakers. There were two protests there – one a republican, and one Susan Zhuang, and I think she pitted against asylum speakers ‘we don’t know who they are, may be a risk to the student.’ I expect people may say no litmus test, but this is a disgusting. Rise against. (See here for an example).

Liz Perez: Susan Zhuang is herself an immigrant, services a community of immigrant. I still think we should endorse her, and I’ll definitely follow up about this comment.

Passes with some nays from the High School Executive Board.

Nick Bacon: Resolution in Support of Migrant Students – This is a city of migrants and we UFT members are proud to teach all of our students. The recent press demonizing migrants and using them to justify absurdly draconian budget cuts is unfathomable. We should not be getting right-wing campaign messages sent to our City email accounts. We should not be seeing a Mayor tell the City that the reason we’re going to feel the ‘hurt’ is because of migrants—many of whom we teach day to day. What kind of risk does it put our students and their families in when the Mayor tells us the reason our programs are cut, or the reason our friend loses their contract or job with the city, or the reason we don’t have the resources to do our jobs, is because of migrants? Moreover, how can we let a Mayor justify draconian cuts – 3 installments of 5 percent – at a time when we need to be expanding services? We have some of the wealthiest corporations in the world in New York City making record profits. In that context, why on earth are we talking about budget cuts? Why is that the first place we go? I urge you to support this resolution. We need to fight the budget cuts, we need to condemn mayor Adams, and we need to say loudly and proudly that we are proud to teach all our students regardless of migration status.

Resolution is here:

 Resolution in Support of Migrant Families

Whereas, New York City is a city of migrants, and it is the duty of UFT members to educate all children who live here. 

Whereas, Mayor Adams sent out contemptible communications to employees and residents demonizing undocumented migrants by justifying needless budget cuts in their name.

Whereas, our educational system needs investments right now, and budget cuts in their stead would result in severe educational disruptions for our students. 

Whereas, justifying service disruptions by publicly blaming migrants puts our migrant students and their families at risk. 

Be it resolved that the UFT will publicly denounce Mayor Adams’s demonization of our students and their families. 

Be it resolved that the UFT will fight the unnecessary budget cuts that Adams is making by scapegoating migrant families. 

Be it resolved that the UFT will affirm that we are proud to serve all students in this city, regardless of migration status. 

Signed by:

Ronnie Almonte, Nick Bacon, Ed Calamia, Alex Jallot, Ibeth Mejia, Luli Rodriguez

Mike Sill: Resolution to amend. Agree with a lot of what Nick said – corporations, maybe even extra space with vacant. Amend with language that focuses less on the mayor. But we need to fight the practice more than the person.

Amended language:

Whereas, New York City is a city of migrants, and it is the duty of the DOE to educate all children who live here, and

Whereas, Mayor Adams sent out communications to employees and residents citing the growing cost of the migrant crisis to justify needless budget cuts, and

Whereas, our educational system needs investments right now, and budget cuts in their stead would result in severe educational disruptions for our students, and

Whereas, justifying service disruptions by publicly blaming the migrant crisis for budget cuts puts our migrant students and their families at risk, therefore

Be it resolved that the UFT will fight the unnecessary budget cuts and reaffirm that we are proud to serve all the students in this city regardless of migration status.

Nick Bacon: I really wanted to condemn the mayor, but this resolution keeps the parts that matter most – the parts that affect us fighting the budget cuts and supporting our kids. I support the amended version.

Janella Hinds: Speak in favor of this resolution – this keeps at the forefront. Ask for your support.

Michael Friedman: Speak in favor of this resolution. Practically all of my students are immigrants – much like my own family. Good for this city. And Nick, it does still condemn the mayor a bit!

Passes unanimously as amended.

Mike Schirtzer: Resolution Calling for ACs in all schools. Was here when Carranza promised. Reads last two resolveds. Full reso with signatures here:

Whereas New York City’s public schools and the children we serve faced an unprecedented heatwave to begin their 2023-2024 school year;

Whereas extended heatwaves and rising temperatures are now a fact all across the world and scientists expect temperatures to continue to rise;

Whereas neither students nor our faculty should be expected to learn or work in buildings that are over 72 degrees, which can be dangerous in particular for women who are pregnant, as well as for students and educators with certain medical conditions; 

Whereas, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “recommends temperature control in the range of 68-76° F and humidity control in the range of 20%-60%.”

Whereas it is known by everyone that temperatures are rising, yet neither the Mayor of the City of New York, nor the chancellor, nor the various agencies in charge of the wellbeing of our children, had a plan in place to address these problems;

Be it resolved that the United Federation of Teachers publicly condemns the poor response by the Mayor, Chancellor, elected leaders and agencies for failing to plan for and protect our children and make a safe learning environment;

Be it further resolved that the UFT demands that our elected officials, city agencies and their leaders immediately install air conditioners in every building, seek to fully maintain existing ones, and retrofit those buildings as needed to ensure all children have the safe and comfortable schools they deserve.

Officially signed: Alex Jallot, Ronnie Almonte, Nick Bacon, Mike Schirtzer, Luli Rodriguez, Ed Calamia, Ibeth Mejia

Leo Gordon: Motion to table this resolution until next week so we can make sure some issues are corrected.

Motion to table carries.

Unofficial minutes taken / analysis written by Nick Bacon.

Immediately following the 500-member negotiating committee meeting, the Executive Board met at 3:38, with just over 30 minutes to spare before the DA, to go over a contract which had not been made available to us in advance and decide whether to bring it to a vote at the DA.

LeRoy Barr motivates resolution to allow executive board to endorse candidates for city offices during the summer.

Motion passes, with some no votes and abstentions.

Second resolution for DA to have a resolution to send the contract to the members for ratification, the endorsement for city offices, and the hybrid resolution.

Bacon: point of info to make sure this doesn’t mean we’re voting to send the contract to the members for ratification. Confirmed.

Motion passes, with some no votes.

Mulgrew:

•  Timeline, we have to do now – there are consequences if not, for September. Main pieces of this contract are clear: (1) is the money, basically Dc37 pattern, retention bonus forever that goes up ($400 first year, then over 1k by end of the contract). In the end, this is a thousand dollars to everyone to every title. Same for all titles. About equity. $3000 signing bonus. Structured the contract so that all members see money coming to them. Some specifics outlining the implications of above shown on a slide. By end, starting salary would be 72,349 for teachers Top salary for paras would be 56,761, including all bonuses.
• Time: new pilot work day.60 minutes PD (down from 80), 40 for OPW (up from 35), 55 for parent engagement (up by 35). This reverts to 37.5 without a calendar agreement. PE to be done remotely, with some regular paperwork to show what you’ve been doing remotely. Does not have to be one 55 minute block. IEP conferences can now be scheduled during OPW. Some pre approved SBOS. School day can end no later than 3:45 PM. Parent teacher conferences remote, which DOE didn’t want. Other school based titles make their own schedules, and get paperwork time in schedule. Did not have that before. Election Day/Chancellor’s Day now definitely remote, not just at DOE discretion. Some non-school based titles can work up to two days remote, assuming they’re rated developing or higher, among other considerations. Elementary schools no longer have to do the 3 in a row. Bereavement time now less strict. Two UFT members can take parental now.
• Remote Learning: expansion of remote classes after the traditional school day and on weekends. Can be extra work or only work. Can potentially teach some in person and remotely, on voluntary basis. Is for students who want to accelerate or make up credits. About equity. School-based, up to them.
• Agreement for clean air and water. (laughter).
• Labor committee RE too many assessments.
• This all comes out of the committees who did our work.
• Reasons must be given for extension of probation now. There can no longer be no reason given. Allows us to do other work around on that.
• DOE reimbursement of destruction of property up from 100 to 500.
• Special Education committee on compliance issues.
• PSAL improvements.

As soon as this is done, all of this will go up. We are stuck on time right now. We have a lot of stuff.

Debra Penny: Attendance teachers are being reorganized back to districts – 2 year phase in.

How much time we got? It’ s 4:10 – Jesus. This has to go online. Most of it doesn’t mean much to you, because it’s very title specific.

LeRoy Barr: recommends that we send contract to members.

Melody: of two minds really pleased with some things pay will help many people. I am curious what happened with personal time? Did we push this hard enough? Donation of days? Are we making gains in this area?

MM: They would not move on these issues. They don’t seem to have the heart. On personal time we have asked…the issue we are having is the fact that we are trying to get the data from the state…there was supposed to be a NYS audit…I am trying to get in contact with the comptroller…City brings up costing and would have us give up raises to get personal time…DOE didn’t even want to give the two parents.. …

Melody: More disabled people in the room would make them move

Alex: I have a question: before we send it ot our members on the chapter level, will we see the actual agreement?

MM: the people writing the MOA are still working…it is complete and waiting for signatures…OLR what happens now is that we have done our read we go line by line you can imagine how long this document is…we go line by line and when they sign we sign and send it out

Nick: I am disappointed. Several of us put out a reso to be able to see the MOA in advance. The powerpoint is good but in 2018 there was a powerpoint that left things out. There were things left out. I just want to make this obvious point. I don’t think any of us would sign a mortgage buy a car etc based on a ppt. I know what the argument is, we are not voting on the contract we are voting about whether to send it to the next step. Right now there is no MOA – only a contract at a glance. We have not actually seen an MOA. When we vote, when the DA votes I know this is framed as whether the members get to look at it, ,they will think we approved and read a full document. We don’t know if the contract is good until we see that.

Mulgrew: I’ve told you about misinformation. You know that everything that was in the MOA. So if you keep saying that it’s not there, you’re a big fibber. These are part of the contract – we can’t just say no. Sorry you’re uncomfortable. We don’t have the ability to do a ratification votes unless we do this right here and right now. They’ll have the info.

Ronnie Almonte: A lot of positive stuff that was put forward. My question is what were the concessions and givebacks.

Michael Mulgrew: none. No givebacks. Not one single demand from DOE they wanted that we didn’t was given. If we mutually agreed, that’s fine.

Ronnie Almonte: Second comment here. Glad to see bonuses, the sentiment, but overall there’s still not enough money in this contract. The teacher wage penalty in this state is 13%. Being the biggest teachers local in the state, we should be narrowing that gap. Had a question about MOU, but sounds like it will be coming out?

Mulgrew: Yes.

LeRoy Barr: calls question.

Passes, with UFC votes as no.