Why ARISE Stands out in the UFT Election

People who read this blog know that I strongly believe in ARISE and Olivia Swisher’s vision for the UFT. There are two other slates running against us (ABC and Unity). If ABC wins, there are undoubtedly some great unionists on that slate too, though as people know, I have serious concerns about some of the top candidates. The same is true for Unity – there are absolutely some great unionists on the slate, but I question many of the decisions of leadership. I think what stands out about ARISE is the slate’s track record of fighting for better contracts, better benefits, better organizing structures, etc, from the get-go. It’s politically convenient during an election year to say the right things; ARISE’s candidates have been living them for years – and in some cases for decades.

The Record of Olivia Swisher

ARISE presidential candidate Olivia Swisher has been instrumental in ensuring that the voices of all members, not just a select few, are heard in contract negotiations. She championed the involvement of our chapters so that contract decisions would not be made by a few high-power staffers who do not actually teach or live on an educator’s low wages. In the end, sadly the reverse is what happened, with members of both Unity and ABC pushing us to accept a bad pattern and a bad deal without even reading it. Members of both slates heckled ARISE members who tried to push for better. But Swisher, along with other ARISE members, did their part. They advocated for the creation of contract action teams (CATs). These teams became a pivotal part of organizing efforts that had the potential at least to significantly improve our contracts. Read more about that in Olivia’s own words here. Moreover, while members of the other two slates have been part of the Unity infrastructure that props up the anti-labor aspects of the Taylor Law, as the only actual Chapter Leader leading a chapter that works under the current UFT-DOE contracts, Olivia organized her chapter in ways that defy the status quo, even organizing work stoppages for adequate PPE during the COVID pandemic. Read more about her history of living member-driven unionism here.

The Achievements of Michael Shulman

Michael Shulman, who is running for Secretary on the ARISE slate, has an impressive record, especially because it has stood strong since the Vietnam War. He is the only opposition candidate to have successfully won a vice president seat in a UFT election, a testament to his dedication and capability. Shulman, along with other NAC members who are on this slate, created an organizing committee to support chapter leaders in need, showcasing his dedication to fellow teacher unionists. His efforts did not stop there; he was also a vocal advocate for divestment from South Africa during apartheid, reflecting his commitment to social justice and ethical governance. In recent years, Shulman and the Retiree Advocate Caucus upset Unity in the Retired Teachers Chapter election for the first time in UFT history. They have used their new elected positions to democratize the way decisions are made in that chapter and beyond, drafting and passing a resolution to make sure no changes are made to our healthcare without a vote at the UFT Delegate Assembly. Shulman’s contributions have left an indelible mark on our union’s history and continue to inspire current and future unionists.

All of the members of our slate have stories like this. We are united by retirees like Michael Shulman who are fighting, not just for themselves, but for in-service members like Olivia, and in-service members like Olivia who are fighting, not just for themselves, but for retirees like Michael Shulman. This symbiotic relationship of our alliance strengthens our union and ensures that we remain a powerful force for positive change. Vote ARISE – the only slate made up entirely of candidates with track records of ethical and member-driven unionism.