UFT Executive Board holds series of low-turnout votes without debate.

This Monday, 6/10/24, is the final executive board meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. As is customary, that meeting is an executive session, which means it’s private (no minutes), though in the past we’ve gone out of session to do some orders of business (including a resolution last year).

For whatever reason, instead of waiting to do our important business on Monday, they did it asynchronously this week over unclear BCC emails that named no deadlines to vote and didn’t provide any possible forum for debating/amending. I’ve copied the ‘minutes’ below. For the first round (6/4), I opted not to vote, because I wasn’t comfortable with there being no debate. The resolutions likely won’t be controversial to most of our (UFT’s) membership, as they were more or less passed in ‘UFT form’ already at the DA. That said, because they are meant to be AFT resolutions, I do wonder if some of the resolutions having nothing to do with public education or labor, but which clearly align with centrist democrat priorities, should have been forced onto chapters in more conservate regions of the USA. In the era of Janus, I’m not sure I see the logic of virtue signaling viewpoints that have nothing to do with our unionism when those viewpoints might alienate other unionists. I say that especially because I see almost nothing in the way of fighting for public education or labor rights in these resolutions.

For the second round (6/7), some of the resolutions did have to do with our own UFT business, and I might have withheld my distaste for there being no debate and voted, but I didn’t have a chance. Without any prior warning, voting was quietly opened at 1:55, when I was in the middle of teaching (my school day ends at 3:40). I got home around 5:00, and was on my way to dinner with my wife, when at 5:32 a second email was sent that had finalized the vote with only a handful of members voting. That latter vote had a few more controversial AFT resolutions (e.g. about what we should do with AI, a subject on which, with respect to education at least, I lean toward the perspective of a luddite), but it also had resolutions about letting the Executive Board endorse candidates this summer without a DA vote, and keeping the hybrid DA rules as is. Both of those resolutions needed debate and a quorum of executive board members voting – not a mostly unread email on Friday afternoon.

The yet-to-be-approved official minutes, where you can see the resolutions, follow.

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

52 Broadway

New York, NY  10004

Executive Board Minutes – by email

June 4, 2024

Voted:         S. Abrams, Adika, Aklu, Alford, Alexander, Almonte, Atkinson, Barr, Bongiovanni,  R. Brown, T. Brown, Castro, Colvin, Coppola, Crinigan, Diakite, Eaddy, Franks, Friedman, Gaglione, Ginese, Goldman, Gordon, Highland, Hill, Hinds, Kazansky, S. Lee, V. Lee, Lozupone, Mantell, Mulgrew, C. Murphy, T. Murphy, Nanay, Negron, Nobles, Perez, Polite, Poulos, Rosier-Rayburn, Ruiz, Santos, Sill, Sorkin, Thompson, Vaccaro, Weinerman.

The following 4 resolutions below were approved by email vote for submission to the AFT Convention:

Resolution regarding guidelines for educating students and school staff about

Indigenous people’s culture and history

Whereas there are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the country, of which have unique languages and cultures; and  

Whereas, there are 326 Native American reservations in the US; making up almost 6.7 million people, according to the most recent US Census, making up about 2.02% of People in the US who are registered to a federally recognized Native American Tribe; and  

Whereas many Americans, are not registered under a federally recognized tribe, but identify as indigenous, Native American or belong to a non-federally recognized tribe; and 

Whereas, less than 1% of students (449,000 students) enrolled in public schools in the US identify as Native America when enrolling in the 2023 school year; and

Whereas many people arriving in the US today from the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America speak an indigenous language as their home language and/or identify as Indigenous; and  

Whereas many US Public Schools lack guidelines regarding activities and discussions about indigenous peoples, that are historically accurate and culturally appropriate; therefore, be it   

Resolved that the AFT will charge its Native American and Indigenous task force to create culturally and academically affirming schools for Indigenous students; be it further  

Resolved that AFT will encourage US Department of Education to work with educators to collaboratively develop guidelines regarding activities and discussions that pertain to indigenous peoples and their history; be it further  

Resolved that AFT collaborate with its locals to educate teachers and administrators about culturally appropriate practices regarding the teaching of indigenous people’s cultures and their history.  

Resolution in Support of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity in Response to the June 2023 Supreme Court Ban on the use of Affirmative Action in College Admissions 

Whereas, Affirmative Action was established in 1961 to promote equal treatment regardless of race, color, religion, and national origin, later expanded to include gender in 1971; and  

Whereas, Affirmative Action addresses systemic discrimination by ensuring opportunities for marginalized groups and admitting qualified individuals traditionally excluded based on gender, race, ethnicity, and disabilities; and  

Whereas, Affirmative Action has significantly impacted employment patterns and diversity in educational institutions; and  

Whereas, in 1978, the Supreme Court allowed race as a factor in college admissions but prohibited quotas; and  

Whereas, the Supreme Court upheld diversity benefits in education but struck down quota- like admissions policies in 2003; and  

Whereas, in June 2023 the Supreme Court banned the use of Affirmative Action in college admissions presenting Asian American applicants as victims of Affirmative Action and unfair admission policies disregarding their decades-long fight for equity; therefore, be it  

Resolved, AFT continues its support of affirmative action and together with the National Education Association seek federal legislation to uphold its original intent; and be it further  

Resolved, AFT reaffirms the need for affirmative action to ensure representation and promote diversity and opportunity for all marginalized groups in all sectors; finally, be it  

Resolved, AFT asserts that affirmative action should continue until discrimination no longer exists in America and will address misconceptions and challenges to Affirmative Action policies.

Resolution to Reduce United States Maternal Mortality Rates 

Whereas, over 76% of the membership of AFT are women; and   

Whereas, reproductive and maternal health is a primary concern for many of our members and the families and communities we serve; and   

Whereas, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, maternal mortality is defined as the death of a childbearing person, while pregnant or up to one year following the pregnancy, from a cause related to, aggravated by, or irrespective of the pregnancy; and   

Whereas, the maternal mortality rate in the United States is higher than most other high-income countries; and   

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics, this rate currently stands at 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births which represents a significant increase from 20.1 in 2019 and 23.8 in 2020; and   

Whereas, a recent National Public Radio article on the CDC study cited the US rate “which is more than ten times the estimated rates of some other high-income countries, including Australia, Austria, Japan, and Spain which all hovered between 2 and 3 deaths per 100,000 in 2020″; and   

Whereas, the 2021 maternal mortality rate for Black women at 69.9 deaths for 100,000 live births is more than double the average rate of other American women; and   

Whereas, research has shown that in the United States, Black women are also twice as likely to have a preterm birth (PTB), give birth to a low birth weight (LBW) infant, or experience the death of a child before age 1, when compared to white women; and  

Whereas, the maternal mortality rate for Native American/Alaska Natives has also drastically increased since 2019, resulting in a rate that is more than twice the already high rate experienced by white women; and  

Whereas, the maternal mortality rates for people who are low-income, over 40-years-old, and disabled are also abnormally high in comparison to the national average; and   

Whereas, according to the American Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control, the Commonwealth Fund and other national scientific and medical organizations, many instances of maternal mortality are preventable; and   

Whereas, lack of access to comprehensive, coordinated, and respectful healthcare, the prevalence of chronic conditions, and inadequate postpartum support are among the reasons attributed to our nation’s high maternal mortality rates; and   

Whereas, research indicates that these disparities are symptoms of broader underlying social and economic inequities that are rooted in racism and discrimination; and   

Whereas, the trauma that results from these incidents, while rarely discussed, has long lasting and profound impacts on our schools, offices, families, colleagues, and communities; and   

Whereas, in the latest data released by the National Center for Education Statistics, 28 percent of public school students are Latino, 15 percent are Black, and about 52 percent are economically disadvantaged, and their mothers of childbearing age are at risk; be it therefore   

Resolved, that AFT calls upon healthcare organizations to offer ongoing resources, education, and professional development for those providing reproductive care in effort to decrease maternal mortality rates, especially among women who are most affected; and be it further   

Resolved, that AFT will work with educational, public health, and other organizations to offer resources and direct assistance to support educators, school counselors, social workers, and psychologists as well as whole schools and communities serving people affected by maternal mortality; and be it further   

Resolved, that AFT supports legislation promoting the expansion of birthing centers, particularly in communities where maternal mortality rates are highest, so that more women may receive quality reproductive care that is caring and respectful to all families of newborns; and be it further   

Resolved, for instructional staff to properly teach students headed into professions where unconscious beliefs about diverse groups can create harmful racial disparities, that AFT encourages professional learning that addresses implicit bias among staff and students, so that all people are treated fairly and equally; and be it further  

Resolved, that AFT calls for increased research on the causes of these disparities and supports working with coalition partners to increase investment in efforts to decrease maternal mortality rates in the United States.  

Resolution Urging Repeal of the Comstock Act

Whereas, the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old, sexist, and invasive law, remains on the books despite being dormant, presenting a potential threat to reproductive freedom and access to abortion medication and contraceptives; and 

Whereas, being able to control one’s fertility was a critical advance in both women’s health and economic mobility, allowing women to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures, and contributing significantly to their social and economic empowerment; and 

Whereas, recent oral arguments before the Supreme Court, featuring references to the Comstock Act by conservative justices, signal a concerning willingness to turn back the clock on reproductive rights and potentially use the act as a tool to restrict access to abortion medication and contraceptives; and 

Whereas, the potential enforcement of the Comstock Act under a right-wing administration poses a serious threat to reproductive health care, including abortion medication, and could serve as a backdoor to banning abortion and limiting access to vital contraceptives; therefore, be it 

Resolved, that this assembly urges for the immediate repeal of the Comstock Act to safeguard reproductive freedom and ensure access to safe and effective abortion medication and contraceptives for all individuals; and be it further 

Resolved, that the AFT demands action to prevent the enforcement of the Comstock Act and any attempts to use it as a tool to restrict reproductive health care options; and be it further 

Resolved, that the AFT calls upon lawmakers and advocacy groups to take proactive measures to protect reproductive rights, including advocating for comprehensive reproductive health legislation and opposing any efforts to undermine access to essential reproductive health care services. 

Respectfully submitted,

LeRoy Barr

Secretary

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

52 Broadway

New York City 10004

Ad Com Minutes

June 7, 2024

Present:       Alford, Barr, Brown, Ginese, Goldman, Gordon, Hinds, Lee, Mantell, Mulgrew, Sill, Vaccaro.

Motion:       To send 6 members to the 115^th NAACP National Convention on July 13-17, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV, at a cost of $3,326 per person.

                                            Carried

Motion:       To approve the stipend for the AFT Convention in Houston, TX, from July 21-25, 2024 for transportation, lodging, meals and incidentals at a cost of $1,648 per delegate.

                                            Carried

Motion:       To approve the following Trachtenberg Awards:

BROOKLYN

BRONX

MANHATTAN

QUEENS

STATEN ISLAND

FUNCTIONAL CHAPTER

DISTRICT 75

DISTRICT 79

                                            Carried

Motion:       To approve the following:

RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE HYBRID DA RULES

WHEREAS, on June 16, 2021, the Delegate Assembly adopted rules of order for conducting hybrid Delegate Assemblies during the 2021-22 school year and that the issue of hybrid Delegate Assemblies would be revisited in June 2022; and

WHEREAS, on June 13, 2023, the Delegate Assembly voted to continue the rules of order for conducting hybrid Delegate Assemblies during the 2023-24 school year and that the issue of hybrid Delegate Assemblies would be revisited in June 2024; and

RESOLVED, that the rules of order adopted in June 2021 be continued for the 2024-25 school year and that in June 2025 UFT delegates will revisit the question of the nature of the Delegate Assemblies for the following year, if not sooner.

                                                                                                                          Carried

Motion:       To approve the following:

ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES FOR CITY OFFICES: CONTINGENCY RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, unforeseen legislative and political contingencies may yet develop that could affect the interests of our members; and

WHEREAS, political organizations, campaigns and candidates are still involved in petitioning and their nomination process; and

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers’ Delegate Assembly authorizes the Executive Board to consider, make or modify endorsements during the summer in order to have a timely impact on any such campaigns.

                                                                                                                          Carried

Motion:       To approve the following resolution for submission to the AFT Convention:

RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE THE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN SCHOOLS

Whereas, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has led to their increasing adoption in educational settings,

Whereas, AI-powered tools and systems have the potential to enhance learning experiences, personalize instruction, and streamline administrative tasks, but also raise concerns about privacy, bias, and the dehumanization of education and

Whereas, the integration of AI in schools must be carefully considered and implemented in a manner that prioritizes the best interests of students, teachers, and the broader educational community and society at large

Whereas, there is a need for clear guidelines, ethical frameworks, and robust safeguards to ensure the responsible and equitable use of AI in education and

Whereas, the development and deployment of AI systems in schools should be transparent, accountable, and subject to ongoing evaluation and oversight; therefore, be it

Resolved, the American Federation of Teachers recognizes the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of AI in educational settings and calls for a comprehensive, inclusive and transparent approach to its implementation; be it further

Resolved, the AFT advocates for the development of ethical guidelines and best practices for the responsible use of AI in schools, with input from educators, students, parents, and relevant experts; be it further

Resolved, the AFT urges educational institutions to prioritize the protection of student and educator privacy, the prevention of algorithmic bias, and the preservation of human-centered learning experiences; be it further

Resolved, the AFT supports ongoing professional development and training for educators to ensure they are equipped to effectively and ethically integrate AI technologies into their teaching practices; finally, be it further

Resolved, the AFT remains committed to fostering a learning environment that values critical thinking, creativity, and human interaction while leveraging AI’s potential to enhance educational outcomes in a responsible and equitable manner.

                                                                                                                          Carried

Motion:       To approve the following resolution for submission to the AFT Convention:

RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN EDUCATION

Whereas, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and has the potential to revolutionize the field of education; and

Whereas, AI can be leveraged to personalize learning, automate tasks, and provide valuable insights to educators, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for students; and

Whereas, the effective integration of AI in education requires educators to develop new skills and knowledge to harness its potential and navigate its challenges; and

Whereas, professional learning opportunities are essential for educators to gain the necessary competencies to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching practices; and

Whereas, the majority of educators across the country should receive professional development to use these new artificial technological tools to support students; in ways that do not perpetuate biases or discrimination and

Whereas, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recognizes the importance of empowering educators to embrace and utilize emerging technologies to serve their students better; Therefore, be it

Resolved, the AFT advocates for the development and implementation of comprehensive professional learning programs focused on AI in education; and be it further

Resolved, these professional learning programs should cover topics such as AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, practical applications, and best practices for integrating AI in the classroom; and be it further

Resolved, the AFT encourages collaboration among educators, AI experts, and educational institutions to create relevant and accessible professional learning resources; and be it further

Resolved, the AFT supports the allocation of necessary funding and resources to ensure that all educators have equal access to professional learning opportunities related to AI in education and be it further

Resolved, the AFT remains committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, empowering educators to leverage AI to enhance educational outcomes and prepare students for the future.

                                                                                                                          Carried

Motion:       To adjourn.

                                            Carried

Respectfully submitted,

LeRoy Barr

Secretary

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

52 Broadway

New York, NY  10004

Executive Board Minutes – by email

June 7, 2024

Voted:  Aklu, Alford, Aromando, Atkinson, Barr, R. Brown, T. Brown, Castro, Coppola, Crinigan, Destin, DiBenedetto, Espert, Franks, Friedman, Gaglione, Garcia, Geist, Ginese, Goldman, Gordon, Highland, Hinds, Kazansky, S. Lee, V. Lee, Lozupone, Mantell, Mulgrew, C. Murphy, T. Murphy, Negron, Perez, Poulos, L. Rodriguez, Rosier-Rayburn, Rotkowitz, Rzonca, Sandau, Sarabia, Schirtzer, Sill, Sorkin, Surpris, Thompson, Usatch, Vaccaro, Waltzer, Weinerman, Williams, Wilson.

The following resolutions were approved by email vote:

RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE HYBRID DA RULES

WHEREAS, on June 16, 2021, the Delegate Assembly adopted rules of order for conducting hybrid Delegate Assemblies during the 2021-22 school year and that the issue of hybrid Delegate Assemblies would be revisited in June 2022; and

WHEREAS, on June 13, 2023, the Delegate Assembly voted to continue the rules of order for conducting hybrid Delegate Assemblies during the 2023-24 school year and that the issue of hybrid Delegate Assemblies would be revisited in June 2024; and

RESOLVED, that the rules of order adopted in June 2021 be continued for the 2024-25 school year and that in June 2025 UFT delegates will revisit the question of the nature of the Delegate Assemblies for the following year, if not sooner.

ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES FOR CITY OFFICES: CONTINGENCY RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, unforeseen legislative and political contingencies may yet develop that could affect the interests of our members; and

WHEREAS, political organizations, campaigns and candidates are still involved in petitioning and their nomination process; and

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers’ Delegate Assembly authorizes the Executive Board to consider, make or modify endorsements during the summer in order to have a timely impact on any such campaigns.

For submission to the AFT Convention:

RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE THE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)  IN SCHOOLS

Whereas, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has led to their increasing adoption in educational settings,

Whereas, AI-powered tools and systems have the potential to enhance learning experiences, personalize instruction, and streamline administrative tasks, but also raise concerns about privacy, bias, and the dehumanization of education and

Whereas, the integration of AI in schools must be carefully considered and implemented in a manner that prioritizes the best interests of students, teachers, and the broader educational community and society at large

Whereas, there is a need for clear guidelines, ethical frameworks, and robust safeguards to ensure the responsible and equitable use of AI in education and

Whereas, the development and deployment of AI systems in schools should be transparent, accountable, and subject to ongoing evaluation and oversight; therefore, be it

Resolved, the American Federation of Teachers recognizes the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of AI in educational settings and calls for a comprehensive, inclusive and transparent approach to its implementation; be it further

Resolved, the AFT advocates for the development of ethical guidelines and best practices for the responsible use of AI in schools, with input from educators, students, parents, and relevant experts; be it further

Resolved, the AFT urges educational institutions to prioritize the protection of student and educator privacy, the prevention of algorithmic bias, and the preservation of human-centered learning experiences; be it further

Resolved, the AFT supports ongoing professional development and training for educators to ensure they are equipped to effectively and ethically integrate AI technologies into their teaching practices; finally, be it further

Resolved, the AFT remains committed to fostering a learning environment that values critical thinking, creativity, and human interaction while leveraging AI’s potential to enhance educational outcomes in a responsible and equitable manner.

For submission to the AFT Convention:

RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN EDUCATION

Whereas, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and has the potential to revolutionize the field of education; and

Whereas, AI can be leveraged to personalize learning, automate tasks, and provide valuable insights to educators, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for students; and

Whereas, the effective integration of AI in education requires educators to develop new skills and knowledge to harness its potential and navigate its challenges; and

Whereas, professional learning opportunities are essential for educators to gain the necessary competencies to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching practices; and

Whereas, the majority of educators across the country should receive professional development to use these new artificial technological tools to support students; in ways that do not perpetuate biases or discrimination and

Whereas, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recognizes the importance of empowering educators to embrace and utilize emerging technologies to serve their students better; Therefore, be it

Resolved, the AFT advocates for the development and implementation of comprehensive professional learning programs focused on AI in education; and be it further

Resolved, these professional learning programs should cover topics such as AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, practical applications, and best practices for integrating AI in the classroom; and be it further

Resolved, the AFT encourages collaboration among educators, AI experts, and educational institutions to create relevant and accessible professional learning resources; and be it further

Resolved, the AFT supports the allocation of necessary funding and resources to ensure that all educators have equal access to professional learning opportunities related to AI in education and be it further

Resolved, the AFT remains committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, empowering educators to leverage AI to enhance educational outcomes and prepare students for the future.

Respectfully submitted,

LeRoy Barr

Secretary