Joe asked that this On The Inside article be made available on the blog for comments. Here it is:
WE HAVE DUES PAYING MEMBERS? YOU’RE KIDDING ME, RIGHT?
by Joe Mudgett
How do you know when your union is neglecting you? Well, one way is to read their web page. Prominently displayed on the UFT web page is a seemingly impressive: UFT ACTION CENTER. Within this box is the list of the union’s priorities. Here’s what was posted on 2/16/06:
UFT ACTION CENTER
PROTEST ABC-TV “20/20” LIES
The Sandy Feldman Fellowships For Service Through Education
Stossel Watch
Help Katrina Victims
Katrina Benefit Fund Raiser
UFT Spring ’06 Course Catalog
Contract implementation problems? Let us know!
Yes, that’s right, there’s nothing about the members until the last two lines. Sure, helping Katrina victims is a good cause. But what’s this Stossel/ABC stuff? Oh yeah, I remember now, didn’t John Stossel do one helluva a number on our president? I can see why that tops the list for UFT Action. Don’t be disresepectin’ Randi, you media dogs! D’ya hear?
I don’t know about you, but I am extremely disappointed and angry. Contract implementation problems appear to be listed almost as an afterthought, and don’t even rate all capital letters! Even worse is the fact that the number one issue facing the membership is missing entirely. Where is the bold action plan we’ve been promised for months to prepare the troops in all the chapters to show City Hall (and its puppet, the DOE) that we mean business? That we’ve shaken the dust and cobwebs from our armor and are drilling in union militancy once more? That we are preparing to enter the next contract talks in a position of strength?
What we get, instead, is a weakly-worded, and ambiguous Fair and Timely Contract resolution that calls for “exploring” ways to become more militant, perhaps considering a “no contract-no work” policy. This poor excuse for activism was approved at the last Delegates Assembly.
What’s a poor, dues paying, union member to do? Attack the one-party sickness that pervades the Delegates Assembly. Vote for chapter leaders and delegates who will put members at the top of the Action List. To reform our union, each of us must understand the issues, read all viewpoints (not just the Unity-controlled New York Teacher), and decide what kind of union we want to represent us in the 21st century. Let’s make the UFT a powerful union again, a force to be reckoned with in the next contract negotiations!
WE HAVE DUES PAYING MEMBERS? YOU’RE KIDDING ME, RIGHT?
by Joe Mudgett
How do you know when your union is neglecting you? Well, one way is to read their web page. Prominently displayed on the UFT web page is a seemingly impressive: UFT ACTION CENTER. Within this box is the list of the union’s priorities. Here’s what was posted on 2/16/06:
UFT ACTION CENTER
PROTEST ABC-TV “20/20” LIES
The Sandy Feldman Fellowships For Service Through Education
Stossel Watch
Help Katrina Victims
Katrina Benefit Fund Raiser
UFT Spring ’06 Course Catalog
Contract implementation problems? Let us know!
Yes, that’s right, there’s nothing about the members until the last two lines. Sure, helping Katrina victims is a good cause. But what’s this Stossel/ABC stuff? Oh yeah, I remember now, didn’t John Stossel do one helluva a number on our president? I can see why that tops the list for UFT Action. Don’t be disresepectin’ Randi, you media dogs! D’ya hear?
I don’t know about you, but I am extremely disappointed and angry. Contract implementation problems appear to be listed almost as an afterthought, and don’t even rate all capital letters! Even worse is the fact that the number one issue facing the membership is missing entirely. Where is the bold action plan we’ve been promised for months to prepare the troops in all the chapters to show City Hall (and its puppet, the DOE) that we mean business? That we’ve shaken the dust and cobwebs from our armor and are drilling in union militancy once more? That we are preparing to enter the next contract talks in a position of strength?
What we get, instead, is a weakly-worded, and ambiguous Fair and Timely Contract resolution that calls for “exploring” ways to become more militant, perhaps considering a “no contract-no work” policy. This poor excuse for activism was approved at the last Delegates Assembly.
What’s a poor, dues paying, union member to do? Attack the one-party sickness that pervades the Delegates Assembly. Vote for chapter leaders and delegates who will put members at the top of the Action List. To reform our union, each of us must understand the issues, read all viewpoints (not just the Unity-controlled New York Teacher), and decide what kind of union we want to represent us in the 21st century. Let’s make the UFT a powerful union again, a force to be reckoned with in the next contract negotiations!
posted by A Strong, Proud UTP Member at 2/17/2006 08:11:00 PM
75 Comments:
I think the name of the "Unity" caucus is misleading. Is it really "unity" when we are under the boot of a one party dictatorship, which only exists to benefit itself -- at our expense? I think the term "unity" implies that we are all together, but why then do they go through such great lengths to stop any dissenting voices from being heard? Why do they monopolize the delegate assembly? Why are they resisting the forces that are trying to make this union more democratic? Unity has demonstrated time and time again the its dues paying members are not high on the priority list. They will do anything to protect the stranglehold they have on this union.
Did you see the union taking credit for Brooklyn Tech., as if they did something? Wasn't that going on for years? How many good teachers were beaten down there, or moved elsewhere? The union has the nerve to claim it as a victory? What a joke.
The union had the principal and vice principal removed. I guess, in your distorted view, this action
taken on our behalf means nothing. The one sided political agenda which you seem to subscribe to only serves to show your bias.
Nonsense. Unity propaganda. Blind allegiance.
The union can not remove a Principal. Isn't that DOE's job? Isn't the AP Eng still there? Why did it take so long, with so many casualties? Do you take credit for ending the 100 Year War also?
If the UFT could remove someone, it should be Dictator Randi.
Ummmm, the principal of Brooklyn Tech resigned. What exactly did the UFT do? (Besides pass out leafltets that is)
The Principal of Bklyn. Tech was removed for illegally having his daughter attend a NYC school (he lived in NJ). The hell in Bklyn. Tech was going on for a long time before it made it to the "union" paper. Many wonderful teachers left because of the tyranny of the principal. Go ahead Randi, take credit. You are a wonderful leader!
Now there is a 30-day amnesty per. for out of state students attending NYC school w/o payment.
The union trots out some Tech. teacher at the DA and makes itself look good. I have a number of friends in that school, and a few in the Eng. Dept. too, and none of them had anything but damning criticisms for the failures of Randi and the union in that school.
The Unity publicity machine strikes again.
Typical of Unity hacks to try to take credit for something that is beyond their capacity to do.
The DOE removed the principal and the English AP still remains.As Anon pointed out the UFT did hand out leaflets and there was a belated article in the N.Y.Teacher but as in most instances it was too little too late.
Unity has proved its ineffectiveness time and time again. Unity has got to go. Randi has got to go along with her entourage of lock step lackeys.
Now even teachers who were previously on the fence about unity's performance are seeing the light.
The above comment is both unfair and untrue. Unity has helped us to avoid the mistakes
made by the Transit workers union. We have shown we are open to reasonable negations and we have
won the respect of both the Mayor and the Chancellor. We have use our brand of militancy
and activism to hammer out a contract that is expectable to all but a few nay sayers and renegades.
There were certainly plenty of "negations" in the last contract, but most of them were our rights.
Respect? Oh, golly. I know that the Mayor, Chancellor and even Randi "respect" me, that is why I sit outside a bathroom for 6R.
The contract may be "exceptable" but it certainly wasn't acceptable to many of us.
How many "renegades" were there?
Just a few: about 30,000.
Well, in the next contract when our union "negotiates" (reasonably, of course)and agrees to givebacks on our pensions and health benefits, at least we can be content knowing that we have won the mayors respect. In the end that's all that counts, as long and the mayor and chancellor respect us then our unions work has been done.
Reasonable negations? Respect? This cannot be stated in the same sentence w/ Bloomberg and Klein. Bloomberg has weasled his demands into every union's contract. Klein has no business in the world of education. Was the "respect" you are talking about from the kiss when the contract was announced?
Ha!Ha!Ha!-This is hilarious!
First a comment written by Leo Gorcey! Then for the same admission you get three more comments every bit as funny!
This site kills me!
I can sell my TV now!
I don't find the writing on this site particularly funny. In fact, I find it disturbing that it's allowed to continue and grow unchecked!
There are those within the UFT who would like nothing more than to see our union brought down!
These types of individuals hide behind the guise of "union reform" when in fact, they want nothing more than to destroy the union as an entity of protection for the rank and file. They promote a dangerous ideology that demands limiting the protective power of the union and placing critical decision making in the hands of the least qualified.
Thankfully we have a strong and steadfast union leadership that will continue to guide and protect us for many years to come.
Ha! Ha! Ha! The comedy never stops!
Yes all free speech must be checked, especially if it criticizes Randi and Unity. Huntz Hall in 2007.
It's NOT funny but you cant see that!
Heaven forbid: the dues paying members ("the least qualified") make decisions, vote, and choose their representatives. Can't we just take their dues and shut them the hell up? The ignorant rabble. Unity knows what's best. After all, look at the last two contracts....
Ad Com, Exec Bd and President Randi should have carte blanche in all respects.
Let's give them weapons too, that way we can have a military dictatorship.
Viva the Unity totalitarian state!
Hail Dictator Randi!
typical, mock the truth.
Please don't write anymore you've got everybody here at UTP Command Central laughing.
Thank you for your amusing comments.No one has done more for union reform since Charlie Friedman visited Port Richmond High School and helped give birth to the UTP.
We thank you again please feel free to attend your local neighborhood UTP meeting and tell em' 'Leo sent me!"
Bring on the fire!
You can't even generate a serious argument!
yes we can.
If you want comments to be censored, edited and checked, then you have to go to EdWize. That's where they don't allow freedom of speech, or thought.
I've been to Edwize many times and found the debate to be of a higher caliber than what is
usually found on most other sites.
I know they exercise editorial control which I believe is needed to keep the discourse from deteriorating into a monosyllabic babble.
It is easy to dismiss the work done on your behalf by unity and to criticize them for not getting you exactly what you wanted in the contract, but contact negotiations are a two way street and the union can only do its best under the circumstances.
I'm not saying I agree with everything that unity does but I don't think the answer is to toss out the union. I don't understand why you can't just go along with unity and let them work for you without questioning or examining their actions.
EdWize edits not only babble, but positions and opinions contrary to their "party line."
The UTP does not propose to "toss out the union." It proposes a number of modifications and changes, otherwise known as reforms. If you read the "Ideology" on the Home Page you may find them. Some you might agree with, some not.
To suggest that anyone, anywhere, "just go along with unity," and not question or examine their actions, is naive. Blind allegiance is more dangerous than incompetent leadership.
True blind allegiance IS more dangerous than
incompetent leadership. One only has to look back in history to see what results from an ideology of blind allegiance.
Allegiance is akin to loyalty but blind allegiance is akin to disaster.
An article in the NY Times on February 28, 2006 stated:
"Founded in the...last century, the party started out as a progressive party but became corrupt. Leaders got rich in office. Critics were silenced. Dirty election tactics kept the party in power...it was known as the perfect dictatorship."
Don't worry Unity fans, the Times was not writing an expose on the ruling power in the UFT. They were referring to PRI, the Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico, which lost much power a few years ago when the majority of the people felt like they had had enough!
Still, the similarities are worth noting. I believe Unity should prepare itself for a fall.
Correction, the date of the NY Times article was February 26, 2006.
This is hysterical, you gotta love the Unity hacks and lackeys... then always provide a good laugh. Of course what they say tends to make no sense and flies in the face of all logic and reason, but you can't beat them for sheer entertainment value!
Is anyone else disturbed by the Unity supporters attitude of "just shut up and do what they tell you" and their contempt for the democratic process and alternative opinions?
I believe Unity is trying it's best to defend teachers and the profession of teaching. Randi and the UFT leadership have launched an all out assault on John
Stossel and his hatchet job on teachers and the profession. If you really cared about the teaching profession you'd stop harping on the last contract and trying to further your own political agenda and get behind Unity in this great battle.
You've got to be kidding! The press has been doing a hatchet job on teachers for years and guess what?
I DON"T CARE!!!
The whole Stossel thing is an attempt to take heat and attention off the LAST CONTRACT!!!
REMEMBER 6R? REMEMBER THE ADDITIONAL TIME AND DAYS? REMEMBER YOUR LITTLE CAPPED RETRO CHECK?
Unity has delivered us all neatly bound and bowed
to Mr. Mike.
What a joke! Klein should kiss us all on the head!!!
WANTED: A MILITANT UFT
militant, adj.--ready and willing to fight, esp., vigorous or aggessive in support or promotion of a cause.
What should be the number one cause of the UFT? To improve the education of our children by improving the working conditions of teachers. The last two contracts have not improved the education of our children because they have significantly worsened the working conditions of teachers.
If we want respect we're going to have to fight for it. First, let's take back our union. Second, let's take on city hall. We can do it if we exercise militancy for our cause!
This contract has done more to hurt teachers, and the teaching profession than John Stossel has. Besides we can't control Stossel's opinions on teachers and teacher unions. With some work and support we can gain more influence over our union, and ensure that future contracts don't inflict the kind of damage upon us that the current contract has. If we don't do something now the future is looking bleak.
If we really had a political agenda would we be using names like these?? We only want to reform this union.
Randi has done more damage to the teaching profession than any "special report" ever could. Unity is not going to distract everyone with this puppet show because most teachers now realize that liars control our union.
Wasn't a resolution passed to have an "on-time" contract? Wasn't there talk about expanding the negotiating comittee? Isn't that more militant?
Obviously Randi has such great power to weild with ABC and 20/20 to have "distract" the new contract. Ooooh!
Hey hammer head - obviously you hit on the head. it is about you getting power. Why don't you sit on the next negotiating committee?
Hey Joe, how do we take back City Hall?
Oh stop, you're too funny.
To LOOK INTO no contract no work.
Why was Licari turned down, if militancy was the issue?
What did Randi expect when she went on Stossel?
Two pensions rule!
I believe Joe wrote: First, let's take back our union. Second, let's take "on" city hall.
Randi MUST have been an incompetent lawyer because now she is an incompetent union leader.
How could she not have known that the 20/20
show was going to be a hatched job? The media has been thriving on sensationalism for the past 30 years or more. What was ABC going to do produce a story on how good the school system works?
Randi wants to be a political player and she wanted the attention and she got it.
The fact that the attention was negative is also to her advantage as it now becomes a tool of distraction just as the new contract provisions really kick in. Do not be fooled, Randi dose not care about the rank and file she cares about randi just as unity cares about unity and their two pensions. Keeping the power structure intact is the main priority why else are union members not allowed an honest voice in their own union?
It's so rigged it borders on criminal.
The union was put in place to protect and assist real teachers. A real teacher is more concerned with the children than with contracts and legal
issues.
That is why the union exists because the people
working for us are experts.
Real teachers should be role models for their students. Not only should they be experts in their content areas, they should also be experts in the role adult citizens play in our democratic society.
Reading the fine print in contracts, reading between the lines in newspapers, magazines, and webzines, speaking up against injustices and organizing to effect positive change, supporting and promoting the liberties guaranteed in the Constitution, these are some of the things real teachers should do. Blindly handing control over to so-called experts is not.
Now that I know they're experts, I guess I can relax. Heaven forbid they were amateurs that made it up as they went along.
I'll let all the fake teachers know.
No one is saying teachers should blindly hand over control to anyone but may of us feel you've gone too far when you criticize or question your own union. You never offer constructive suggestions all you do is mock, condemn and point fingers to further your own ideology.
You frighten and shame many honest hard working
teachers with your extremist message.
Next time take the Xanax AFTER you blog.
very funny.
Let me reiterate some of the constructive criticism and solutions I have offered in my writings.
The UFT Constitution, the framework around which our union is organized, calls for elections of chapter leaders, delegates, and officers. Teachers like me who feel many of our representatives are not advocating for teachers have the right and obligation to elect people who will. The UTP is actively searching for union militants in the mold of Dan Kane of the United Mine Workers to represent us at the delegate, chapter leader, and executive levels. We will talk to anyone interested, and offer any assistance we can. Other groups, such as ICE and TJC are doing the same. The UTP hopes reformists can build a grand coalition to infuse much needed reforms in our moribund union.
As for our specific issues, please check out our website and read the UTP's Statement of Ideology.
Don't forget the United Federation of Teachers was formed by militant teachers who demanded that their union be recognized as their collective bargaining agent. For political power? No. For decent wages, health care, and working conditions? Yes.
It is incumbent upon us teachers to ensure that our union negotiate fair and equitable contracts for us. Our current leaders have not done a good job at this and thus don't deserve to continue in their well-paid positions. As far as I'm concerned, bringing back Circular 6R assignments is the straw that breaks the camel's back.
6R is the degrading, demoralizing legacy of this contract. The other day I walked past a colleague doing 6R, sitting at a desk, in the hallway, in a remote part of the school. They were embarrassed to be there, and I was embarrassed to see them. We awkwardly tried to avoid eye contact. It was pathetic.
Give up the first line of defense with letters in file; more time; more days; seniority transfers gone; 6R, etc. What a contract! But it's a union of professionals, and it's the best they could do!!
Seems like many people have forgotten that our union leadership works FOR US. We pay them to represent us and protect us. If we feel that they are not effectively doing what we pay them to do, we sure as hell have a right to voice our opposition. We should not be expected to shut up and do what we are told by the union's leaderhip. As dues paying members we have the right to attempt to reform the wrongs we see in our union. This is not an extremist message, its called the democratic process. Can the Unity people please make some rational arguements instead of saying that we are somehow hurting the union by being concerned with internal union issues, contract issues, and our working conditions. I believe its the people who are not concerned with these issues that hurt our union. We need people who think for themselves, who don't simply do as they are told because the so called "experts" say so. We need people who are willing to stand up for their convictions and take action to strengthen this union. Anyone who thinks these are bad qualities, does not have the best interests of the membership at heart. Even if you disagree with our message, at least admit that activism, dissent, and debate can only be good for this union.
"The other day I walked past a colleague doing 6R, sitting at a desk, in the hallway, in a remote part of the school. They were embarrassed to be there, and I was embarrassed to see them. We awkwardly "
There are some students who have offered many times to make those of us who sit in the hallway dunce hats. Not all designs and colors available. Act fast.
"No one is saying teachers should blindly hand over control to anyone but may of us feel you've gone too far when you criticize or question your own union."
When I teach my students a novel, play, poem, etc. I teach them to question the author, the characters, the themes, etc. They have learned to dig deep and find the reasons as to why a character acted the way they did. Why the author used certain words or symbols. They love to criticize the author explaining what they would have done instead.
How can I be a role model teaching them to constantly question and criticize if I lay down humbly and accept whatever is thrown my way?
A critique of an author is a completely different situation than publicly running down your own union. We live in a time when union breaking seems to be the goal of government both on the state and national level and we must stand together to make the union stronger. I believe the harsh criticism offered up by sites like yours and ICE,TJC, and others only add more fuel to the antiunion fire that is raging everywhere.
Okay, lets try this one more time. Nowhere do you see any opposition group saying unions are unnecessary. Nowhere on this or any other site have I seen any indication of antiunion sentiment.
I have seen plenty of indication that these people are tired of inept union leadership and a lack of rank and file representation.
This site in particular seem to be solely about union reform that will make the union stronger and more democratic.
I like 6R. Sitting in the hallway helps to reinforce my students view of me as a jerk. It's actually pretty cool.
To the poster who said:
"I believe the harsh criticism offered up by sites like yours and ICE,TJC, and others only add more fuel to the antiunion fire that is raging everywhere."
Wait, so working for a stronger, more militant, more democratic union is bad? Then how do you suggest fighting this "anti-union fire"? Does a weak, ineffectual union weaken the anti-union cause? I would think all this anti-union sentiment would make union members want to stand strong against the people who want to break our union. The weaker this union becomes the more vulnerable we become. We cannot sit back and watch the erosion of our union, and our profession. Someone has to take a stand, doing nothing will not make us stronger.
Good idea! Be active and be part of new 300 member negotiating committee!
Much as I hate to rock the boat, I will because it is sinking anyway. Only new leaders, more militant who will fight for the members, will be able to get us a decent contract.
"A critique of an author is a completely different situation than publicly running down your own union. We live in a time when union breaking seems to be the goal of government both on the state and national level and we must stand together to make the union stronger."
The whole purpose of the UTP, ICE, and TJC is to make the union stronger. How does that point escape you? We are not breaking up a union we are trying to make it stronger and make it work for us, the members.I will not stand by when our "leader" gets all giddy and kissy when the most unfair, demoralizing contract is announced. There was no fight for us. We need a leadership that is willing to take on the power at city hall. Wake up!
ISn't the fight already started? The on-time contract, the protests, the expanding negotiating committee?
No, too little too late.
Getting a voice for the rank and file is the fight.
Voting for DRs is round one.
Have you read the fair and timely contract resolution? It's a toothless wonder lacking any punch. The Stossel protests are a sideshow to distract from the grim reality of 6R, etc. The 300 member negotiating committee will be controlled by Randi & Co. It's a fight all right, for our leaders to maintain the status quo. The resentment and dissension is growing and it won't go away.
It is never too late to fight for a fair contract!
Isn't a 300 member negotiating committee "a voice for the rank and file"?
299 Unity lackeys.
A 300 member negotiating committee is absolutely
ridiculous. How Randi or any of the Unity crew of failed intellectuals can actually think this empty gesture will fool the majority of members is laughable. If Unity wanted to give us a voice how about restoring the vote for DAs.
What would you propose to replace the Unity party with, one of your right wing lunatics?
The UTP has no political ambitions.
The UTP is about union reform.
Why not try reading some of the information on this web site before making anymore asinine statements. I'd appreciate it.
I wish you anon. people would give yourself a 'nom de plume'. It's very difficult to keep your point of view(s) straight.
Any organization that doesn't allow the rank and file to vote for all of its representatives is doomed to fail. This is not right wing or radical. It's simply the way humans work.
The union has to be reorganized to match and cope with the constantly shifting needs of labor. We begin by having open elections for all offices.
This will lead to a speedier resolution of conflicts because the elected members will be beholden to the members for their job. If they can't deliver, they can't continue in their position.
An efficient union with successful management will then be in an excellent position to represent other workers in white collar industries-like Wall Street.
The world has changed, we need to change with it. I hope this can happen in a sensible, reasonable way but I fear with a union management set on keeping and controlling the power at the top we are faced with a long disasterous time.
I agree with northbrooklyn, its not going to be easy to get rid of the current power structure. Unity is entrenched in this union. These people are willing to do whatever is necessary to hold on to their power, and priviledge. In fact they work full time to make sure the rank and file don't have a voice in this union out of fear that letting us have a say may jeopardize their self-interest. This is why we must create a more active, militant, membership who will demand a more democratic union. We all must work to spread the message and end Unity's totalitarian hold on our union.
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