The Association for Union Democracy Asks Us A Few Questions
Recently, the UTP was contacted by the Association for Union Democracy (AUD) and they asked us a few questions. Here is a small piece of how it went:
AUD: Is Edwize a valuable resource for you and other UFTers? Why? What should Edwize be that it is not, in your view?
UTP: No. There is no value to Edwize, other than its comic value. The site is just another clearinghouse for the Unity caucus and its agenda. Edwize should be a forum for the discussion of internal union politics and policies--just what it is not.
AUD: Was Edwize an important forum for debate of the contract? What were the benefits Did rank and file members who were not activists talk about Edwize and conteant posted there?
UTP: No. Edwize was not talked about by the average, rank and file member. Most members do not have any knowledge of Edwize, and if they did, they wouldn't have any inclination to follow it. They are too exhausted from doing the undoable.
AUD: Did you experience any censorship of your views on Edwize?
UTP: We have never posted there.
AUD: Should Edwize be a forum for discussion/debate in the upcoming UFT elections?
UTP: Most certainly.
AUD:Edwize does not link to the UTP, as far as I can tell. Have you asked them to link to your site?
UTP: No, we have not. We figured that after the Special Rep. for High Schools intimated that we were Nazis (we're not, by the way), we wouldn't waste our time.
Do you support a strong,democratic labor movement? Visit the Association for Union Democracy at www.uniondemocracy.org
AUD: Is Edwize a valuable resource for you and other UFTers? Why? What should Edwize be that it is not, in your view?
UTP: No. There is no value to Edwize, other than its comic value. The site is just another clearinghouse for the Unity caucus and its agenda. Edwize should be a forum for the discussion of internal union politics and policies--just what it is not.
AUD: Was Edwize an important forum for debate of the contract? What were the benefits Did rank and file members who were not activists talk about Edwize and conteant posted there?
UTP: No. Edwize was not talked about by the average, rank and file member. Most members do not have any knowledge of Edwize, and if they did, they wouldn't have any inclination to follow it. They are too exhausted from doing the undoable.
AUD: Did you experience any censorship of your views on Edwize?
UTP: We have never posted there.
AUD: Should Edwize be a forum for discussion/debate in the upcoming UFT elections?
UTP: Most certainly.
AUD:Edwize does not link to the UTP, as far as I can tell. Have you asked them to link to your site?
UTP: No, we have not. We figured that after the Special Rep. for High Schools intimated that we were Nazis (we're not, by the way), we wouldn't waste our time.
Do you support a strong,democratic labor movement? Visit the Association for Union Democracy at www.uniondemocracy.org
posted by A Strong, Proud UTP Member at 10/20/2006 05:36:00 PM
25 Comments:
Edwize is just an awful place. I have been censored by them, and while I don't think that many people are interested in Leo Casey's pontifications, I'm UFT as much as he is, more than he is, and I pay for that blog, as well as the patronage employees who write it.
I find it unconscionable not only that they censor my comments, but that not a single one of the cowards who write it is capable of substantive response.
They censor at the school level (removing material from mailboxes and postings), and they censor on the blog, too.
The battle to overthrow Unity is a battle of information, and a battle with the apathy of our own colleagues.
But they control the info., so they control the game.
Part of the idea of democracy is truth and honesty. Obviously your friends in ICE are not. I don't trust their acceptances of other opinions on their blogs since they put in "controls" to see who writes what (even Norm acknowledges in a posting of who one "anon" really is http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=15921757&postID=116124960196417396 . Their hypocrisy of freedom of speech is baffling) so I'm writing here until you guys try to control us also. You note jameseterno and Norm are the only 2 posters ranting and distracting from what I thought was their primary argument, Forest Hills (Norm babbles on about his own ego and life 15 years ago - thanks, but no thanks). Stick to you arguments and stop whining - including the 1 hour spent on discussing the plans for a future contract-it was well worth it. If there were communications with the UFT about irregularities with the 3rd election I hope it is brought up as the investigation is on going.
Their blog claims that the angered "Election Committee who had already certified the second election" didn't want the 3rd election at Forest Hills. They didn't note that the one of the people that appealed that second election was the Election Committee Chair (an important missed detailed). Nor were they clear in claiming that the 3rd election was ALSO close. It was 100-91 (not as close as the second - 95-95, 1 disputed) which they rant about. Talk about sore losers.
Even Norm admits that Jeff's election was a "lie" just not as "big a lie" as Mulgrew who he brought up at the Ex. Bd. (another distraction). You just seem to inflame instead of sticking to your point. you couldn't make an argument about Forest Hills so you attack the former Chapter Leader of another school. No wonder no more than a couple of dozen people are the only ones agreeing with you.
The idea of the utp controlling anything, including blog comments, is pretty funny. If you had ever seen us eat (at Killmeyers), you would know we can't even control ourselves.
We thought it was obvious.
I don't speak for ICE. I speak for myself. The argument put forth here by the bold anonymous commenter is meaningless drivel.
Edwize is a nest of chickens. What a sad state of affairs such cowards purport to represent us.
I didn't understand much of that arguement, all I know is Unity must go. Thats the bottom line - UNITY OUT! The intricate, convoluted details are beyond me. UNITY OUT!
100-91 is not close at all!
I was hysterical laughing after reading a story in the latest NY Teacher. Randi Weingarten apparently went to a school to meet with an abusive principal, who allotted her half an hour to discuss the issues. Apparently the principal rambled on the whole time not allowing any time for discussion, then said time's up and left. The Delegate Assembly of our union works the same way, only its Randi and the Unity parade who filibuster so opposing viewpoints can never be heard. Oh look at the time, meeting adjourned till next month... oh well we can't discuss DR's being elected, what a shame.
To anon.
The fact that you would bookmark a joke comment I made so long ago just to tweak you means you are SICK! SICK!! SICK!!! Or maybe just SAD!
You must get a life.
Anyone who has minimal tech skills knows that you can't track anon. comments on Blogger. You reveal yourself by your ignorance.
I know who you people are by the style and what you say in other areas. I even know who you are on this blog. How? Because you reveal yourselves in the kinds of things you are concerned about and in the various places you comment, plus the fact that there are so few people at exec bd meetings who can and will comment. There are only a handful of people who take the Unity anti-ICE side who bother to go to these blogs.
There is one person who has actually raised the issue of whether ICE can track who is on the blog to me personally and I was just pulling someone's leg. So gotcha! You might as well use your real name. I can recognize you anywhere, anytime.
There is actually a high union official making $150 grand a year who prints this crap out and shares it with other union officials. How pathetic!
As for bothering to parse the details of what we say in a blog, you people must have something better to do with your lives. I am retired and can do this stuff AND have fun, though seeing your comments always give me a good laugh.
Aren't any of you guys on the negotiating committee? Isn't what they came up with good?
Obviously Norm, you have way too much time on your hand. I am glad that you cannot vote in my union.
Which hand?
I thought James Eterno was on the Negotiating Committee. I hope he has voiced his opposition to the contract demands and strategy like his chapter did. Even better, since he and other people like Jeff Kaufman are on the Ex. Bd. I hope they voted against it too.
Anon.,
Who are you kidding? Norm can vote in your union. Everyone can vote in your union. Go to the DA. Dead people vote there.
"Dead people vote there."
There are retired members of Unity who are stored behind the walls on a permanent basis and are just wheeled out for DA's.
And if you aren't dead going in, after listening to RW go on and on and on and on and then interject comments on almost every speaker, you will be bored to death very soon.
It is funny that ICE feels "obligated" to come here to write although they often do anyway. But the truth is that what is espoused by wjat occurred at Jamaica HS seems to contradict the rest of the city wants. The ICE blog even admits in the 10/19 posting that 99% of the DA "spent about an hour discussing a resolution that had support from over 99% of the delegates" about a new contract. Obviously the other 1100 people that were at the DA support the current contract demands and the current strategy. For some reason or other the Jamaica HS delegation seems to be above this. I guess they believe that they should lead the rest of us. If that is the case, you (which includes UTP)are going in the wrong direction - the rest of the UFT is moving on without you.
What??
What about something on the contract guys? You must have an opinion
A less than the cost of living increase, no attempt to regain anything that was lost. I think is more than a coincidence that this contract was delivered before union elections. Randi is counting on membership short term memory to help her numbers. I don't want to hear how there are no givebacks this go round after she gave them practically everything last time. Unity Out!
The devil is in the details. I agree with Max Factor. Unity Out!
The whole thing reeks of collusion between Randi and Bloomberg. They are counting on us being suckers. Bloomberg gets the UFT's support for mayoral control of the schools, Randi gets reelected. It makes me sick how they use us, we are nothing but pawns to them. VOTE NO on this contract!! UNITY OUT!!
Besides UTP obviously behind the times with no "post" on the proposed contract, it is sad that you admit that your urgency to "vote no" on this great contract actually has to do with union elections. It isn't about the members at all, it is about union politics. Just as bad as Karl Rove.
If it was about union elections UTP and ICE would take the New Action route - align with Unity and troll for votes since the overwhelming majority of people will probably vote for this contract. I guess in your election lexicon taking unpopular positions is the way to go. It is the Unity gang that always tries to tie positions of ICE to the elections.
Well, exactly what was the timing of this contract if not for being tied to UFT elections? BloomKlein will be mailing out that $750 check with the election ballot.
This all proves my point- that there is serious collaboration going on and they want to help Randi stay in power. A militant movement against her is not in their interests. They and Randi are willing and able to buy off teachers. They will get no respect or or reductions in class size or relief from this contract from the many awful conditions placed upon them.
But Unity will stay in power with many of them getting this nice, juicy raise. The fight is always uphill but ICE and UTP and TJC will hopefully persevere. Maybe use some of that extra money to spread the word as to what is really going on.
Incredible conspiracy, norm. She must have plotted election day results in the Congress as well.
How is that not good?
Hey NYC Educator, apparently it happens here, too.
See:
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19671781&postID=116310614862261545
(Sept. 9, 2006 posting).
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