I'm Voting, Maybe
Max Factor
Why I haven't commented on the current contract proposal is because I honestly don't see any reason. The current contract proposal does not contain much to get excited about. There isn't much money at stake. There aren't many glaring negatives to shoutabout. That does not mean that I am happy with this contract, but if the membership accepted the last contract (which was truly horrendous) do you honestly think they will vote "no" to this one? The damage has already been done. The time for us all to stand together and vote "no" has passed.
There are a few positives in the contract that I can't find fault with. I don't see any reason why teachers should vote against a new five year salary step for our newer colleagues. It's true the money isn't much to write home about, but if we can get it why not take it?
I don't like the idea that teachers that find themselves ATRs can be offered a "voluntary" buy out because there is the obvious danger that those individuals may be "encouraged" to accept whatever is offered. I don't see any protections in place against this possible abuse, and that is something to consider.
Many people seem upset and surprised that this contract does not contain any provisions to attempt to win back what we've lost with the last contract. Are you kidding? Do you honestly believe you stand a chance of regaining anything with this mayor at this time?
In reality the vote for this contract is a done deal and there really isn't much to get excited about. The vote that should concern teachers is the vote that will be coming this spring. The vote that will express a desire to gain a union leadership that will lead and restore democracy to our union. Remember, what we've lost over the last two contracts was brought to you by Randi and Unity and that this current offering does not speak so much of success but of desperation.
But where is the opposition and their candidate? That is, perhaps, the best question.
Why I haven't commented on the current contract proposal is because I honestly don't see any reason. The current contract proposal does not contain much to get excited about. There isn't much money at stake. There aren't many glaring negatives to shoutabout. That does not mean that I am happy with this contract, but if the membership accepted the last contract (which was truly horrendous) do you honestly think they will vote "no" to this one? The damage has already been done. The time for us all to stand together and vote "no" has passed.
There are a few positives in the contract that I can't find fault with. I don't see any reason why teachers should vote against a new five year salary step for our newer colleagues. It's true the money isn't much to write home about, but if we can get it why not take it?
I don't like the idea that teachers that find themselves ATRs can be offered a "voluntary" buy out because there is the obvious danger that those individuals may be "encouraged" to accept whatever is offered. I don't see any protections in place against this possible abuse, and that is something to consider.
Many people seem upset and surprised that this contract does not contain any provisions to attempt to win back what we've lost with the last contract. Are you kidding? Do you honestly believe you stand a chance of regaining anything with this mayor at this time?
In reality the vote for this contract is a done deal and there really isn't much to get excited about. The vote that should concern teachers is the vote that will be coming this spring. The vote that will express a desire to gain a union leadership that will lead and restore democracy to our union. Remember, what we've lost over the last two contracts was brought to you by Randi and Unity and that this current offering does not speak so much of success but of desperation.
But where is the opposition and their candidate? That is, perhaps, the best question.
posted by A Strong, Proud UTP Member at 11/11/2006 01:45:00 PM
73 Comments:
I notice that you never mention your two sheds you sell-out!
You're so right MAX. The opposition needs to focus on the election in June, not a symbolic protest of a contract that people are not angry about. The members are suffering as a result of the last two contracts. There is plenty of displeasure with the UFT because of the contract we are working under. Not because of this current contract being offered.
What is the "opposition?" It really doesn't exist yet in the sense of organizing a massive force in the schools to oppose Unity. (The election is in the January-March period, not June.)
I see so many peoole who want Unity out talking about the "opposition" as if that's a separate entity from them. They just don't get it. There will be no opposition until all of them become the opposition and not wait for others to do it. Like sit by and wait for some leader to take you to the promised land. Ain't happening. UTP sprung up a short time ago and there needs to be a 100 more like them and then we're in business.
This contract will mean votes for Unity. New Action will be running as a stalking horse for Unity, probably with a cross-endorsement of the high school candidates to get them away from ICE and TJC. That will mean a vote for the Unity slate and the New Action slate will be the same.
Getting that pain in the ass Kaufman out of the Exec Bd is a priority. It will be a tough battle to get the ICE/TJC HS Exec Bd people back in.
As to the contract vote, a campaign to if not openly a "vote no", but at least a "vote with your eyes open" campaign, dovetails right into an election campaign. Many of you think it is about defeating Unity. Wrong. It is about building a network thoughout the schools that can have the ability to get information to every single teacher on a day's notice to counter the Unity spin on everything. Then win people over building by building -- like door to door fighting in Normandy.
We're far from there, but with every passing day the network grows, slowly, like a fungus, but it grows.
If the election is in January- March (of '07) then it's even worse news. I haven't seen ICE/TJC put out any thing on its "network" of "no spin" web sites.
What is the complete platform? I don't know anything about you guys. Although I'm not 100% satisfied with Unity at least I know what they are about.
NO SPIN!!! We're LOADED with spin. We've got more spin than an oldies radio station. Cut the crap everybody spins and we're not even "in the run" for anything! If the election were held tomorrow I'd have to vote for Unity because I don't know what you guys stand for. Did you every think that maybe Unity deserves to be in control because at least they know how the game is played?
I have to admit I am disappointed in ICE and TJC. We've heard next to nothing from either of them, there really is no alternative to Unity being presented to the membership of this union. Their lack of a platform, combined with their lack of momentum is crippling them. Endless debates and long winded discussions have gotten them nowhere, yet they haven't changed their tactics. Time has run out, they should have been kicking ass for months already. Its frustrating that there's no one to support or root for in the fast approaching elections. But what do I know, I'm just a teacher.
I urge the ICE/TJC team to quickly articulate a simple and effective campaign platform. Time is of the essence and I would like to see them run a credible campaign. People need to know who they are and what skills they will bring. I believe they genuinely care about the plight of their fellow union members and I hope they can give the party in power a decent challenge. For better or worse they have my support.
They are wonderful people in the opposition. Great human beings.
at least Norm articulates that this (and the last one) contract is not about the membership but about political opportunism. So he urges members to disapprove this contract not because it's a bad deal (which it isn't) but because ICE is trying to build THEIR political platform. Not so nice ICE. Leave the debates and questions to the rest of us. It's better that you just sit out - you too Joe Mudget!
Good question Max.
Where is Wainer and TJC? You can't even consider them a real alternative, as much as one may like to.
Of the three groups, ICE and UTP have reached more schools and more members than the elitist clique know as TJC.
Things must be really bad over at ICE/TJC when the sickos at the UTP are sounding reasonable. Norm, how come these degenerates aren't buying into your nonsense? Could it be that people are finally seeing the whole ICE/TJC alliance for what it really is- noise and no substance.
It's good to see you guys don't have a knee jerk reaction against anything Unity. It shows that although you do not support the Unity caucus you remain mindful of teachers needs. You are obviously not side tracked by the relatively unimportant contract arguments that are raging on other sites.
Shy bother with the contract? It just continues the worst piece of garbage ever for a few more years. Go to the Teachers for a Just Contract Website if you want to know what they are thinking. It's not hard to find.
That should say why bother with the contract?
What about the other 80,000 members, will they find it too? Or, is TJC coming to a school near you sometime soon?
It doesn't matter what their platform is, they can't get their message out . And that failure is on them. They are posers.
All I want know is where is a TJC platform statement? What will they do differently than Unity? This is the best chance ANY opposition group has ever had to unseat Unity and where are they?!
"vote No! We can do better!" is preposterous. I guess you guys haven't been around since Bloomberg and Klein came to town. Besides 2 contracts that were several years late, there was a hell of a fight to keep what we had and to get what we can to protect our member's rights in the last contract. But I guess you weren't there TJC. Obviously your delusion "of doing better" must be somewhere else with someone else.
Here is all that we can give back if we vote yes:
NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/11-10-2006/news/local/story/469955p-395531c.html
Teachers deal not so sweet for Klein
BY MICHAEL SAUL, JEGO ARMSTRONG and ERIN EINHORN
Friday, November 10th, 2006
As Mayor Bloomberg and teachers union President Randi Weingarten joyfully announced their surprise early contract deal this week, observers noted that Schools Chancellor Joel Klein was standing in the back - and scowling.
It was in stark contrast to last year's contract announcement, when Klein gave Weingarten an enthusiastic hug and kiss.
Klein denied yesterday that he was disappointed. "I tried to make it as good as it gets," he said. "I think we came out with a contract that was very satisfactory."
But sources close to Klein said the contract fell short of his hopes. "If he had been able to design the UFT contract, he would have done it differently," one source said. "But he's enough of a professional and he's been around government enough to know that these things are very complicated ... People walk away from any negotiating table feeling bad about things."
Klein has been critical of provisions in the teachers contract that he says protect incompetent teachers. He has called for the ability to alter the length of the school day and for the ability to pay some teachers more than others.
He even boasted at a recent event that he was creating a "new labor-management paradigm" in the school system.
But the 24-month contract that teachers seem likely to approve in a formal ratification vote next month - the last teachers contract over which Klein is likely to have any influence - contained virtually none of reforms he has advocated.
The contract calls for a 7.1% raise for all educators and a long-awaited six-figure salary for senior teachers.
Its only significant provision that isn't related to money is a plan to offer voluntary buyouts to tenured teachers who've been out of a job for six months or more, rather than keep them on the payroll indefinitely. Sources said Klein was pushing for the buyout to be mandatory - and for the city to set the price.
"Obviously, all people were pushing for different things," said James Hanley, Bloomberg's top labor official. "In the final analysis, lots of people have different views."
But, Hanley added, "I think we're all kind of happy that stability is in place and we can all focus on the really important things and improving education."
By signing with the UFT nearly a year before its current contract expires, Bloomberg set a precedent for dealing with other public unions and earned a key ally in upcoming battles in Albany over school funding. But Weingarten insisted yesterday that she had made "no secret deals" with the mayor in exchange for the contract.
"It just happened to work out for all parties involved," she said.
Three Step Plan:
1. Vote "yes"
2; Take the extra money and chip in a few dollars
each.
3. Buy Charlie a car.
Now feel good about yourself.
Max is right... I'm going to vote "maybe" on this contract. I'm starting a write-in campaign - don't check "yes" or "no" on the ballot... write in "maybe". It's not like it will make a difference anyone, plus it will be fun.
NO spells no and that's what is needed.
Press Release from Mayor on contract:
Note the statement:
In order to address specific needs, the UFT generated internal funding to provide the following benefits: check that loooong list
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2006
No. 388
www.nyc.gov
MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS NEARLY ONE YEAR
BEFORE EXPIRATION OF CURRENT CONTRACT
Additional Benefits
In order to address specific needs, the UFT generated internal funding to provide the following benefits:
· Effective October 13, 2007, the annual contribution to the welfare fund will be increased by $100 per member;
· Effective May 1, 2008, a lump sum payment to the welfare fund in the amount of $166.67 per member;
· Effective October 21, 2009, an additional $35 rate increase in the City’s contribution to the welfare fund per member;
· Effective May 19, 2008, increased longevity payments for certain employees who have at least five years of service;
· Effective May 19, 2008, an increase in the uniform allowance payable to Supervisor of School Safety; and
· The Department will increase by 12 the maximum number of sessions of paid extracurricular activities for which compensation will be provided to coaches and teachers in charge of various athletic and extra-curricular activities.
All of a sudden Norm is beleiving the Mayor's office and their publicity spin.
So why don't you just fekkin' tell him he's wrong about the release?
I didn't say I believe it. I just posted it. Let the UFT which knows about the release since Jeff read it to them at the Nov. 8 DA say the Mayor is a liar. NOT ONE WORD SINCE ON THIS ISSUE.
Are you a true believer? You must be. You say the mayor lies. The UFT lets the lie go. You attack the messenger (moi) and don't seem concerned about the sounds of silence. Yes, a true believer!
Maybe these posts will lead to a response from the UFT so people will have the info they need to vote. It doesn't cost much to tell the truth. Just the fax ma'am, just the fax.
How can you people say this contract is not that much to get excited about? What about heath care? What about getting back what we have lost? I'm surprised that you have had no reaction to this latest outrage!
I think Max is right. I don't think we stand a chance of getting anything back right now- and that is not the real issue anyway. The real issue is WHY were these hard fought rights given away in the fist place? The answer is a simple one- the Unity run UFT and the members ultimately are to blame.
You can spin it anyway you want but that IS the bottom line.
It is time to place the blame squarely where it belongs. It's the membership of this union that tolerates Unity's domination, and refuse to stand up for themselves. Until that changes not much can be done. Since most of the membership doesn't care or is just too scared to do anything to change what is wrong, we won't see any improvement in our union or our working conditions.
An affirmative vote would be an endorsement of the Bloomberg regime. You need to vote no, not maybe, to send that message.
Send a message!? This contract vote will not send anything to anyone. If you want really want to accomplish something beneficial then the discussion should be about how important it has become to replace our incompetent leadership. To stand a chance of doing this you must send a message to the VOTING MEMBERSHIP not the Mayor! Where is the ICE/TJC platform? I've yet to see anything from them.
Look at the ICE website to see the platform; ditto for TJC and vote no.
Are you guys still active or have you given up?
We're just resting.
The only thing we've given up on is the UFT, Unity, the opposition groups, and our fellow teachers.
Other than that, we're doin' good.
Thanks.
Attitudes like yours will get us nowhere fast.
Look around.
We're already there.
Cool head you are right.
Cool head the only way out of nowhere is to organize and not give up.
90% ratification. You can give up now.
90% is nothing.
At Lafayette High School they can get 140%!
Go Lafayette Go!
The contact has been accepted. I'm stunned that teachers didn't "send a message" by voting no. I can't believe that after all the hoopla that went on over this contract on other sites it passed so overwhelmingly. I guess Max was right, all the ICE/TJC people did was waste time that could have been spent building support for their canidate.
Now is the time for ICE-TJC to diligently pursue other potential supporters. There were approximately 7,000 disgruntled members who voted in the 2005 Contract ratification but didn't bother to vote this time around. Why was the turnout lower this year? Some people have apparently given up in disgust and we need to give them a reason to vote for the opposition in the 2007 UFT election. Also, there were over 32,000 members who voted against the 2005 giveback laden Contract. It is our job now to reach each and every one of them and give them our alternative view on how this union should be run.
We believe this Contract was approved by an overwhelming margin not as a vote of confidence for Randi Weingarten and the Unity machine but as a sign of resignation that we can't do any better under Unity-New Action leadership.
Unity-New Action's main strategy is to wait for DC 37 to settle up with the city and go in and say, "Me too," and get the same deal based on pattern bargaining. Pattern bargaining means that when one city union settles on a contract to start a new round of collective bargaining with the city, then all other city unions subsequently receive the same pattern settlement. If DC 37 sets a lousy pattern, then Randi will again trade away more of what's left of our Contract to get us some money as she did in 2002 and 2005.
It's up to ICE-TJC in the next few months to get the message to everyone that we can organize to improve UFT member salaries as well as teaching and learning conditions without trading away our rights.
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