Say It Ain't So, Joe!

The following has been lifted from Top Secret UFT files and memos, as well as the ACT site.

District Representative Selection Process Committee Convenes
The Committee to investigate the selection process for District Representatives, established by resolution of the Delegate Assembly on November 8, 2006, met for the first time on March 26, 2007. Considering that it took four months to convene the initial meeting, I don't expect any quick resolution to this important issue. Nonetheless, I will attempt the Herculean task of convincing my fellow committee members that a completely transparent democratic process, where members directly elect their representatives, is in the best interests of the union.

Why Herculean? Consider the makeup of the committee: chaired by President Weingarten (who has been appointing district reps since 2003), members include Secretary/Chief of Staff, Mike Mendel, Senior Assistant to the President, Jeff Zahler, a half dozen district reps, at least one borough representative, one or two other UFT officials, a gentleman from New Action, James Eterno from ICE, and myself, representing the Alliance of Concerned Teachers and the viewpoint of the Unified Teachers Party.

Much as I would like to share the details of the deliberations with my readers, I cannot, since all committee members were asked to keep the proceedings in strictest confidence. But rest assured I will publish a complete report once the committee has completed its mission and the cone of silence is lifted.

Our Nation Turns Its Lonely Eyes to The Unified Teachers Party

In light of our current landslide Victory, Max Factor and Snakehead are planning a UTP Victory Party Fundraiser that will finance our run for Presidency in the next election, if Unity hasn’t done away with elections altogether by then.
Max and the Snake together plan to fly solo in the one man UTP bi-plane “The Spirit of Shanker.” The flight will be from NY to Red Square. The flight will be accomplished without the aid of any compass, planning or navigational tool; so their flight will closely mirror the policies of our current union leadership.
Mudgett and Brace, on the other hand, having been notified by NORM that they, in fact, were the only opposition winners, are now headed to 52 Brdwy in the official UTP/Good Year dirigible. They plan to dock in Lakewood, NJ., after which they will take Randi’s limo to arrive at their coronation installation. There they will receive the Zahler-Bloomberg Lactose Intolerant Award for 2007.
It’s a new page in an old book for the UFT. No doubt there are big changes on the horizon that will continue the precedent set by the 2005 contract.

Going Out Of Business

United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has been overwhelmingly re-elected to a fourth full term by a nearly 9-to-1 margin. Weingarten and her running mates captured every seat at stake in the union-wide election, according to results tabulated late Thursday by the American Arbitration Association.
Of 46,735 votes cast for president, Weingarten received 40,665 or 87%, while her opponent, Kit Wainer, received 6,070, or 13%. Weingarten has been the UFT president since 1998, when she was appointed to fill the remainder of Sandra Feldman’s term shortly after Feldman became president of the UFT’s parent union, the American Federation of Teachers. She was re-elected in 1999, 2001 and 2004.
“I am honored that our members decided overwhelmingly to allow me to serve another term in office. Our members are the most incredible people I know – be they teachers, paraprofessionals, guidance counselors, therapists, nurses and others -- and it is an honor and privilege to champion their needs and aspirations,” Weingarten said.
“In the next three years we will be working with parents and others to help all children succeed. When we fight to enable educators to do their jobs effectively – and get the respect and conditions and professionalism they need -- we are doing nothing more than fighting to give our students the opportunities they so richly deserve.”

Ooops!

IMPORTANT!After the United Federation of Teachers Election Committee learned that some mailed ballots were being returned to the sender rather than mailed to the American Arbitration Association, the Election Committee immediately brought the matter to the attention of the AAA. Upon investigation it was discovered that there was a printing error made on the mailing envelope which caused the problem. To correct this error the AAA’s printer has arranged for a reprinting of the mailing envelope at no expense to the union A correct mailing envelope for the return of the United Federation of Teachers 2007 election ballot is enclosed.
If you have not returned your ballot yet, please use this envelope for the return of the ballot instead of the envelope that was included with the original ballot mailing.
If you have mailed your ballot and it has been returned to you, please use this envelope to send your ballot to the American Arbitration Association. Simply remove your ballot from the returned envelope and place it into this correct envelope.
If you have mailed your ballot and it has NOT been returned to you, no further action is necessary.
If you have any questions, please call the AAA at 1-800-529-5218.
UFT Election Committee

Calling US Justice Department, Please

Many members received the Unity sheet slandering ICE/TJC this week. It was so over the top that we thought we mistakenly sent it out. But no. It was Unity learning at the feet of the UTP.

The question to be asked, though, is how did Unity and Randi secure this mailing list of all our members? And, was ICE/TJC afforded access to the same list to send out their campaign literature? Or was this simply another example of Unity democracy in action; otherwise known as absolute power?

Just when you think you've found the bottom of Unity (DeSantis denying access to mailboxes), they slither a little lower. What some people won't do for reduced air fare, or two pensions.