UFT Executive Board Minutes, 12/2/2024

Before I post the minutes, a quick reminder that Wednesday, 12/4 is the NAC General Meeting. Reach out if you need a Zoom link.

Summary/Analysis

• Mulgrew led a diatribe about people doing things that were divisive to our union. He seemed largely to be speaking about a recent blog article that accused him of not dedicating enough of a $450 million sum to para wage increases. It may surprise some to hear that I share some (though not all) of Mulgrew’s ostensible criticisms of that article. I think However, Mulgrew’s tone and especially his visceral description of feces when discussing UFT members he disagrees with was a bridge too far.
• An election report cleared up some concerns (one of which I raised) about new paperwork associated with the UFT election this spring. There is still some concern about AAA being dropped as a vendor to oversee the election; an RFP to choose the new vendor was discussed. Other important information from that election report is in the minutes.
• Curriculum concerns, particularly the use of uniform assignments and pacing calendars, were discussed, but it’s unclear exactly what’s happening with this fight.

Unofficial Minutes

Open Mic: a CL from Staten Island spoke about an incident that shook up to community and led to organizing of teachers and students with the help of UFT organizing staff.

Minutes approved.

Reports from Officers:

Leo Gordon: CTE meeting coming up with a pension discussion. Non-CTE high school teachers also welcome.

Rich Mantell: Spoke on coat drive success. Jewish Heritage Committee coming up, with Mike Mulgrew to receive Tikkun Olam award (repairing the world).

Question Period

Nick Bacon – Election question. New requirement to sign consent is fine, but doing so for every accompanying signature seat would be excessive paperwork and could unduly affect certain people (out of state retirees and people getting signatures at many schools across the city). Asked for requirement to be waived.

Answer saved for election report.

President’s Report

Mulgrew: NY Presbyterian and Anthem reached agreement. Still have til March 1 for MSK.

Foundation aid report from Rockefeller Institute just came out.

Paras – press conference special education, priority to hire 1800 paras and other positions, but process issues are known, will be calling paras. Paraprofessionals have to be paid better.

Transition plan – new proposed sec. of education, Linda McMahon. We’re about to come under major attack.

Be truthful, don’t try to divide one title against the others, trying to mislead people. Reminds me of turds…

Will probably be complaints this election without merit again, use complaints to dismantle our union.

Don’t like when people are doing things that will dismantle our union.

Our paras, we know for years haven’t been paid well because of pattern bargaining. In the end, it’s like class size. Some here who said we had to make it the number one contract demand, though then we would have had to pay for it.

Know people know these facts, but they choose not to use them.

Goal is to keep the union strong.

Asking people to stop the crap, because when we did class size law, meant wouldn’t pay for class size, other titles shouldn’t pay for another title when all are underpaid.

There’s political timing people need to understand.

…

Doe Curriculum – whole team around them. Never gone to admin school. Do they teach you hot to implement curriculum?

Data issues, self contained class as having to have same pacing as gifted/talented is insanity.

No more spreadsheets – teachers, schools, need autonomy, can’t with the pacing calendars.

All assessments are the same assessments. Kids share answers on their phones.

Wasting our time – our valuable time.

Might need to go through paperwork committee.

…

Legal dept sent TRS bill to gov (ot/pt related).

Reports from Districts:

LeRoy Barr: new retiree luncheon, Dec. 5 coalition for the homeless, Dec. 7, 8:00 PM

Camile Eddy: Dec. 13 African Heritage Committee celebration

Exciting news from D15 – a MOSL switch that led to ratings falling to developing was reversed after work from union.

Dave Walzer: second annual xgiving social hour Wednesday, tenure meeting celebration.

Liz Espert: Nov. 19 had best ever tenure celebration.

Rashad Brown: World Aids Day. Moment of silence.

Lisa (elementary exec board): UFT players, UFT authors. Thursday Dec. 5, Friday Dec. 6, 52 Broadway / communion play this Thursday. Origami workshop…

Deshana Barker: Community summit, 81 parents and community members, emergency prep, 180 UFT members at xgiving event.

S. Silva: annual fundraiser coming up for Latino Caucus. Had great time – coming Dec. 18, friendly coquito.

A Harmon. S. Silva will be honored.

Special Order of Business

Carl Cambria: Last Tuesday, election committee meeting, going through documents.

Petitioning period, Feb. 12 to March 17.

Balloting period, May 1 – May 29^th.

Mid winter recess during petitioning period, no recess during balloting.

Other change – global election services used instead of AAA. UFT did an RFP. AAA did the same as before, another company was small and didn’t have much experience, this company has a lot of experience.

Individual balloting same, no longer social security number option due to security concerns.

New line: “I hereby agree to have my name placed in nomination” this is for the candidate to agree to be a part of the election. What NYSUT does. Last election there were a few, not many, but still a few people who said they hadn’t agreed to be on ballot.

One signature is fine, so candidate doesn’t have to sign every petitioning form filled out on their behalf.

Nominating petition information.

Electronic voting would require amending constitution, finding vendor who could do it, make sure LMRDA compliant.

Logistical hurdle for voting in schools. Not same as with ratification vote. Would require privacy booths, etc to be compliant.

Also issues with hybrid models for similar reasons.

Exec board recommending approval of documents.

Election documents unanimously approved.

In 2025 to 2026, task force to look into above issues and make recommendations about future elections, would have time to implement.

…

Mary Vacarro: DOE Letter on curriculum not to come out tonight.

Adjourned. Note: Dec. 16 exec board meeting likely to be Executive Session.