Blame Game

I'm tired of reading about retired UFT members voting and giving the election to UNITY.  Sure we are allowed to vote and many follow the "party line."   No one has a problem collecting our dues.  There are issues that still affect us.  But, our votes count less and let's face it, most retirees have no idea what they have done with the ballot by the time some one reminds them to vote and very few even bother with the election.  Our biggest concerns are trying to get into the Photoshop or Tai Chi classes and getting a good parking spot while attending them and not getting closed out of desirable walking tours.

The real problem with the union is apathy among teachers.  When I was still teaching, many had no idea who Mulgrew was, what UNITY, NEW ACTION, or ICE stood for or even what the election was for.  They were too lazy to walk to the first floor to cast a vote for chapter chairman and no one wanted to sit on the executive board at the school.  Some were afraid of displeasing the Principal, and in return receiving a bad write up or a terrible program.  One guy asked what sitting on the committee would do for him and he only agreed if it would get him released from his building assignment.  When something was not going right, they stuck their heads under the covers in hopes of admins not finding them.  They never stood up for what they knew were contractual rights.

If MORE is serious about gaining control of the union, they have got to reach the teachers on the job and get them to care and to vote.  They also need to reach out to retirees, to let them know what is going on in schools today, let them know the things they fought and went on strike for are being taken away.  They need to gain a foothold in UFT retiree centers and spread their message loud and clear.

I know people like NYC Educator and South Bronx mean well, but this blame game has got to stop.  It is non productive.  It does nothing to get people who will make a difference in power.

Attention UFT Retirees

The fall 2013 Si Beagle catalog is out.  If you haven't gotten your paper yet, don't worry.  Go to the site, pick the courses and trips you are interested in and print the coupon.

I've been checking every day this week and of course, the only time I didn't check was the day it came out.  Since I was in the area, I mailed mine from the main post office on 33rd and 8th.  Hopefully I will get all I asked for.

As an added bonus, I saw the Post Office Museum inside, small but interesting.  NYC is full of such wonderful free things to see and do.  Pictures here, on Facebook.

Retirees Not The Problem

My friend, NYC Ed, thinks retirees should not be allowed to vote in UFT elections.  He's right.  Most retirees have no idea what is going on in schools today and they really have no idea as to how much has changed since they left the system.  But, the problem with the union is not retirees, it is lack of interest and involvement of the rank and file.

I remember a heated UFT election for chapter chair several years ago.  I had strong leanings toward one candidate but felt everyone should vote, and vote knowingly, even if they shared my choice or not.  The union leader is the one who fights for our rights and that person should be the one chosen by the majority.  I remember walking into my department office and asking the room full of young teachers if they voted.  What I heard was:  "Voted?"  "What are we voting for?"  "Does it really matter who gets elected?"  "Nothing changes anyway."  I remember feeling disgusted with the lot and felt they deserved whoever they got.

Several teachers were asked to represent their departments on the UFT's executive board.  Many refused.  There wasn't enough in it for them to make it worth their time.  Others were afraid of retribution by administration if they said something out of line.  They hoped to spend their careers as invisible members of the staff.  Some, on the board, made lots of noise at meetings but never stood up outside of them, always waiting for someone else to do it for them.

Blaming retirees for the state of the UFT is like blaming teachers for all the ills of education today.  Yes, we should not vote but if the people affected stood up, we would be outnumbered.  Just look at how many of us don't vote at all.  And, if the UFT really pushed the plight of teachers today, more retirees would vote with those still on the front line.

As for me, I am taking courses and enjoying my days.  Here are some pics of Friday's High Line walk with a bunch of fellow retirees (and one who is just enjoying her summer.)  Notice the smile on every one's face.  More pictures here, on Facebook.

Get The Message To Retirees

 



At my retired teacher class today we all complimented our instructor and then someone said it is a good thing she doesn't have Bloomberg as a boss because her stats, based on our class would be horrendous.  Everyone laughed.  I used this as a good time to tell everyone to vote MORE.

The majority of the people in the room had no idea what MORE was and what principles MORE stood for.  Most had no idea that UNITY and New Action were kissing cousins.  Some had no idea who Mulgrew was and those that did had little to know understanding of how he has sold out the rank and file.

I hope my little speech got MORE a few extra votes.  MORE needs to reach out to the retired teachers and let them know what is really going on.

UFT Retirees

 



I am a UFT retiree.  I pay dues every month.  I want a say in the union!!

Don't jump on me,  working teachers.  I want a say about the things that affect me.  I want to have a choice of classes to take, seminars to attend and trips to go on.  The contract is important, extremely important, but not to me.  I am aware of the crap the city is trying to put on teachers now, I am aware of VAM and I don't like it any more than working teachers, but that doesn't give me the right to have a say on it.  IT DOES NOT AFFECT ME!!!!!!!

I resent Mulgrew's sending UFT reps to a Florida meeting to wine and dine and spread the UNITY gospel.  My money is paying for these excursions and meals.  I am willing to bet most Florida retirees haven't taken time away from their golf games, tennis matches and early bird dinners to follow the news and see what today's teachers are up against.

I am a UFT retiree.  I should not be voting, but, as long as I have the ability, I will be voting with MORE, voting against unity, voting for teachers, which in turn votes for children.