A New Dawn

Yesterday, Retiree Advocate broke Unity's monopoly

Yesterday was a historic day. We have taken our United Federation of Teachers from the clutches of those who thought Eric Adams’ budget and/or Aetna’s profits were more important than our health. We have broken the bonds placed upon us by ostensible leaders, union bosses to whom our health was not even an afterthought.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew has repeatedly claimed, falsely, that his Advantage plan was better than real Medicare. Courts have repeatedly ruled otherwise. Despite this, Mulgrew sent Unity members to the City Council to declare that his Advantage plan was not good enough for them. They demanded the right to be able to buy a better program—the one we now receive free of charge.

Never mind that most city retirees would not have been able to afford this upgrade. Screw the retired paraprofessionals. Screw DC37. Screw those who retired with lower pensions. The Unity members could afford the upgrade, and that was good enough for them.

That’s not ethical. And that’s not union either.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Michael Mulgrew, who couldn’t negotiate his way out of a paper bag, decided that our union should fund its own raises. Absurd, but true. (Who on earth is advising this man?) Mulgrew also decided that he’d make retirees pay for these raises—raises they would never get.

Mulgrew thought retirees would put up with anything and vote for Unity. In the worst mistake of a long career of abysmal judgment, he sorely underestimated us. And let’s not forgot, as Mulgrew sold us out, not one single member of his elite, privileged Unity Caucus said word one against it. Not one member of Unity stepped down in protest.

That may change now. Sinking ships affect people in different ways. 63% of voting retirees have now declared Unity does not represent our interests. An impressive majority of us declared we don’t trust them with our health care. This loss is a precursor to the general election next year.

It’s entirely possible Mulgrew will step down and procure some sinecure with AFT or something, but anyone who takes his place will represent more of the same. Whoever it is must be defeated.

The Unity Caucus has had its day. It’s encouraged us to trust them as though they were our Mommies and Daddies. It’s actively discouraged activism, reducing us to actions like wearing green on Tuesday for this, or blue on Wednesday for that.

Our victory is a product of real activism. I’d like to take credit for it, individually or as part of Retiree Advocate. It’s certainly true we all worked toward this moment. But a great deal of the credit for this belongs to Marianne Pizzitola and NYC Retirees. Marianne and her group came out of nowhere, and worked doggedly to block the Mulgrew sellout.

Retiree Advocate absolutely supports the work of NYC Retirees. We are proud to advocate for our brothers and sisters in the UFT and in other city unions. I’ve just donated to their cause, again, and I urge you to do the same. There are still court battles to be fought. While union bosses decline to help, it’s on us to help ourselves.

During the campaign, Unity ridiculed us for allying with NYC Retirees. To them, evidently, real activism is a source of hilarity. It’s abundantly clear they aren’t laughing this morning.

I thank you, my brothers and sisters, for honoring us with your trust. We will continue to work to retain real Medicare for retirees. We will work to support better health care and working conditions for rank and file. We will work to make the United Federation of Teachers a representative and activist union.

I can’t wait to begin.