At First New RTC Meeting, We VOTE and PASS a Resolution

A sea change from Unity-run meetings, where we had neither voice nor vote. A sea change from the tightly-controlled UFT DA as well.

It’s a new day in our Retired Teacher Chapter. Our voices are no longer quashed. By a measure of three to one, we voted to take control of our health care. It may or may not come up for a vote in Mulgrew’s DA, but we’ve made our statement.

In a remarkable new hearing of both sides, Unity voices were allowed to speak in equal proportion to ours. From what I heard, they were out to delay so that we would not get to our resolution. They did not succeed.

Our voices are strong. We are strong. We are the first group of retirees to take a stand against Unity, and we won’t be the last. Bennett is clearly nervous and kind of needs to get his sea legs. That said, he led the meeting in an honorable and open fashion, giving more voice to the minority than was ever given to us, the majority, under Unity control.

One Unity person accused us of being uncivil. They are not accustomed to being outnumbered. Given their outlandish treatment of Marianne Pizzitola, I’d say they were being uncivil. Given Marianne’s rapid and assured response, I’d also say they wasted their time. Marianne is very smart, with an instant command of detail. She’d have made a great teacher.

Marianne and lawyer Jake Gardener spoke well, and succinctly. Marianne radiates supreme confidence and is afraid of nothing and no one. I am proud to know her, and I am grateful to her and NYC Retirees for working to help us well before I even realized we were in need of help.

Norm Scott, as the first speaker for our resolution, made me feel the outrage within those of us who selected new leadership. I’ve been feeling it for months. Make no mistake—Unity wants us to shut up and go away. Try as they would, they did not divert us. We won our resolution with 74% of the vote. We aren’t going anywhere.

Michael Mulgrew spoke, and said many things with which I agree. It’s important that we deny the White House to Trump, who is virulently anti-public education, and absolutely anti-union. Florida is hell on unions and I want to be treated like that like I want a hole in the head.

That said, we’re still in New York. Mulgrew trash-talked the NYHA, while failing to offer detail. He said we needed to wait for national health care, which has not been a reasonable prospect in decades. He also repeated that all our work was irrelevant unless Kamala won.

While I happen to support her, while I’ve been donating to various democrats, our work is relevant regardless. Whether we lean blue or red, we are the majority of our union, and we’re finally being represented as such in RTC. Sure, Mulgrew can filibuster and call only on his people at the DA, but we can change that as well.

Our time is coming.

Notes (unedited)—1 PM—RTC Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer introduces NYC Labor Chorus. They sing. I don’t hear them clearly at all on my laptop speaker. But I like their health care message, the lyrics of which are on my screen. It seems they favor health care for all, as do I.

1:13—-Bennett gives CL report. Says how glad he is to be here for new RTC chapter. Hopes meetings go well, says Tom ran great meeting and this will be similar, but also a little bit different. Will still be presentations on benefits, WF, SHIP, and hard working departments. Hopefully more discussion and debate. More member driven.

Will have captioning inside union hall for those who need it. Meetings will be recorded, and hopefully posted. First official duty was go to Labor Day Parade, was my pleasure, many retirees there. Daughters came and saw how much fun union solidarity is. Great seeing many of you.

Posts numbers and email addresses. Introduces new RTC Executive Board. Asks they stand.

Working on new committees—health care and labor solidarity. Will have report from Mulgrew when he shows up.

Health care committee—Gloria Brandman—places slide—new RTC committee, was one before. She and Mike Shulman co-chairs. will focus on health care for retirees, as well as support for in-service. Open to all retirees, will be open discussion. Every other month on Zoom, or more as needed. Sign up sheet available today.

Not sure if cap will be needed. Will be guest speakers, potential proposals for RTC or DA, want to elicit ideas from members. possible topics, health care struggles, law suits, Mulgrew’s wonderful decision to withdraw support from MA. MA plans, benefits and pitfalls. NYHA discussed in future meeting.

Bobby Greenberg—Labor Solidarity committee—To give aid and support to workers trying to organize or defend union, NYCCLC.org has description of locals in trouble. We have 70K members, and we have time and experience. Will ask people to get involved, connect with other locals, phone calling, picketing, whatever.

We also have a lot to learn, labor history and music. We need to learn about labor struggles. Open to all members. Will delay full implementation of committee until after national election. Sponsoring at least two retiree buses this Saturday. Union has been sending buses for weeks. Leaving at 7 AM from 52 Bway. We need door knocking in PA.

Has been in touch with Janella Hinds from CLC. Will decide what we can do.

Bennett—Set up mikes in aisles for Q and A. Political action dept. has been amazing. Have made calls and met people. Thanks NYSUT. Venecia here.

Venecia—Buses—thanks everyone. Phone bank was experience. Trainer from NYSUT says Bobby and Bennett or on it, know what to do. This is not new. Last two weeks, this is critical election. Let’s get it, whatever days we have left. When you go door knocking, we have breakfast boxes. When you get to PA, they have coffee, tea, juice, water, bagels. You will have packet on bus, with script. In person training on spot from AFT. Will be cars to targeted locations. Not hilly territory. Wear good sneakers.

We need all hands on deck, boots on ground. Whatever skills you have, use them. Come back safely. AFT will provide lunch. UFT provides snack bag. Bennett and Bobby will report back. AFT will treat you well. 2 or three hour event, depending on how many people. Usually two hours. Should be back at 4.

Bring book or video for bus. Women’s committee doing bus Nov. 2 for women’s march. Want to show force of women for Harris. Bus full, if you want to drive, come in. Locally on that day, will share info with Bennett, big labor weekend. Saturday labor walk for Laura Gillen in Freeport. Want to get 5 congressional seats.

Will target school poll sites Election Day.

I collect absentee ballots from seniors in my building, and when I early vote, I drop off their ballot and give them stickers. If you can do that in your community, please help. Need all hands on deck. Hopes we know by Nov. 6. If enough show up, we will.

In our interests as women, workers, public school educators. We are a union, and it is about our interests as a union. Hopes you do right thing for sake of democracy.

1:40—Bennett thanks V., says vote yes on Prop. 1 for equal rights. We are having new RTC Facebook page.

Jonathan Halabi—New FB page. Working with communications dept. Will be a letter from Mulgrew and Bennett. 5 people so far. Will check ID numbers, open discussion. Will be announcements about what goes on in meetings. Will have guidelines about civility. Will allow different opinions.

People should be comfortable coming here. brgreenberg@uft.org for labor solidarity committee.

Asks whether Susan Pulice page exists—Every retiree has a right to be here. Existing page no longer affiliated with RTC. Brand new happy page and this is happy talk.

Bennett—Learning a lot, building staff, has people helping run meetings, Getting education on how to work these things. Will seek help from all. Came here with no staff, not knowing enough about culture in UFT building, with departments and request forms. Have hired admin assistant, Melissa Martinez. Very recent retiree.

New retiree luncheon December 5th.

We have new reps on COMRO, municipal retiree org. Works like MLC, reps from retiree associations with weighted vote in policies and resolutions. Main concern, they have little legal power but more moral power—wasn’t previously union position to oppose MA, but now it is. Our reps are free to vote that way. We control 40% of the vote, pretty much veto proof plurality.

We will organize 50, 60, 70 year union member awards.

Guest speaker—Lawsuits have stopped MA plans, supported by variety of retired workers, many of whom look up to and follow NYC Retirees, whose lawsuits have kept our heath care where it is. Calling Jake Gardener, litigator, and Marianne Pizzitola, President of NYC Retirees. Please restrict questions to lawsuit.

Marianne Pizzitola—Started org over three years ago to protect health care of retirees. Retired EMS. Our goals were to preserve trad. Medicare and supplement. Hired two attorneys.

Jake Gardener—litigating over three years, have been three lawsuits, may be fourth.

2021, city said it would stop funding Senior Care, and only offer MA, said it would be as good. Marianne and others saw problems. Was not okay for force retirees off Medicare. We brought Campion, NYC Retirees v.Campion. Won in trial division, Applelate Court, and next month will argue in NY State Court of Appeals. Won below, hopefully will win next month.

After we won Campion, city responded by not offering supplemental plan. Filed another lawsuit, Benkowski V. city of NY. Won twice. City wants Court of Appeals to hear this. We how they don’t.

December 2021, city announced 15 dollar copays. We said they were unlawful. We moved for preliminary injunction. Trial judge granted. City and Emblem appealed. We won. Has been hold. City and Emblem changed documents governing copays, so may be copays in January.

Marianne and her org working around clock. I tell her she needs to sleep, but we’re constantly thinking of ways to protect your health care. Reason you aren’t in MA is these multiple lawsuits. Has been groundswell across city that we have right to insurance we were promised.

Honored to litigate these cases. Appreciate your careers of public serve, meaningful, helping people, serving community. Part of that agreement was you’d be taken care of even though you didn’t make a lot of money. Honor for me and my firm to be part of this. Hopefully will be victorious.

Questions—

Q—Nina Tribble—Know you mentioned lawsuits. I testified for city to amend admin code. Why didn’t your org choose that, because we’d have choice.

Marianne—Mayoral initiative that would have put MLC in control of which plan is suited for you. Right now city pays full cost to HIP rate. You have choice of 14 plans today due to that statute. City cannot diminish unless unions agree. 874 would allow MLC to choose, rather than members. That law was not taken up by city council because of that. Took power out of your hands to choose.

Q—Should we go to Court of Appeals and pack court? What do you think they will do?

Gardener—Up to you whether you come. I don’t predict outcomes. We have strong arguments, including lower rulings.

Marianne—will be bus Nov. 19.

Bennett—To get your question, online, use question area in Zoom. Will do our best. First q, should we apply for Medicare part D while we wait for outcome?

Marianne—Part D is drug plan. Through city and NY. You are free, if you find another, you may purchase another drug plan. Not part of our litigation.

Point of info—Barbara Waldman—Wondering if Geoff Sorkin could answer q about part D.

Bennett—Questions about lawsuit. Geoff Sorkin will be here.

Sorkin—I am in back. Ask me.

Q—Recent court decision, copays, Emblem plan did have copays. Judge who heard case lifted injunction. What is premise for case. Is it that city of NY responsible for all costs and can’t have copays? When cost exceeds what company says, we can’t afford to provide…

Marianne—copays not decided by Emblem. Decided by MLC and city, trying to save money to secure raises. Labor relations and MLC opposed that. Senior care for 60 years had no copays. Based on contractual breach.

Gardener—Three grounds—material indicated no co pays, 12-126 said city would pay entire cost, these are premiums in another name.

Bennett—online—still being billed and paying copays—Should we pay?

Gardener—currently and injunction, not for ER care, or plans other than senior care.

Q—know we’ve been asked to keep to lawsuits—what are your fees, how much are you making? Asks twice, then asks again.

Gardener—We have individuals who are retirees, as plaintiffs. Anything I’ve shared today is not privileged.

Marianne—NYC Retirees are incorporated, has a board. I am a 501C3. (Note—Marianne has corrected this—says she is a 501C5).None of our board is paid. We are volunteers. Everything we do is on our own time. I do this to serve and protect retirees benefits that people in this room have worked for.

Bennett—out of time for this, will move on, but Jake and Marianne will answer your questions downstairs after the meeting.

Commenter says Bennett has acted uncivilly.

Bennett—enjoys having lively discourse, Haven’t seen it in this room in a long time. Thanks all very much.

Chapter business—Motions—-Haven’t had that in a long time. We will have a process for new motions next month. This month will have something brought before Executive Committee. Explains voting procedures. Power on clickers. Press A for yes, C for no.

Online—We have a polling feature on Zoom. Yes or no button will pop up on screen.

Motion—crafted by RTC Exec. Board.

Michelle R.—Resolution—no changes to UFT member health care without DA approval. health care negotiated by MLC, very important, DA highest decision making body, significant changes approved without DA approval, or reasonable time to discuss and question, resolved that any significant changes be submitted to da.

Health care primary in our lives, especially as we get older,

and we should vote on changes.

Mulgrew arrives, will wait.

Norm Scott—3.5 years ago, was like bolt of lightening, leadership said we would be moved. Two years later, lawsuit has saved thousands. People opposed wanted us to pay. Heard person beg for right to pay for this. Can we trust union leadership to help us after they sold us a bill of goods. If you think you have a majority, put it to a vote at DA. We had no say, never went to DA, time to hold leadership accountable.

Vince Scaglioni—Everything just said sounds appealing. Negotiations don’t work that way. DA doesn’t decide every single thing. We have a negotiating team that does the job. Union set up pattern of sneaking out what members want, and then a negotiating committee has formed to decide what they want to ask for. All you are doing is perpetuating negotiations month after month. Other side will only use it to advantage. Voted up or down by membership.

Point of order—Wants to know if visitors not part of union should be here.

Bennett—Asks non-union members to let us deliberate in private.

Dana Olemaier—Asks how we can contribute to Marianne.

Bennett—out of order. Looking for arguments in favor or against.

DO—Asks for resolution to be amended to give retiree chapter weighted vote—Input by RTC. For resolution.

Mark Orshand, union staffer—Seems to be directing entire union to do something, not within purview of RTC. Was at negotiating sessions. Resolution out of order, we don’t have authority to direct union or negotiation committee.

Jonathan Halabi—Point of info. Motion is to bring resolution.

Jonathan Newestra—point of information—Many of us only aware when we came in. Shouldn’t there be mechanism to see resolution before?

Bennett—provided on table for people to read. That is the process we’ve adhered to.

Jackie Lyle—Calls question.

Much talk, Bennett stays with calling question.

Online first. Then in room.

Online—909 yes 208 opposed in room 231 yes 47 no Question is called. Now vote on resolution.

In room first, this time.

in room yes 186 no 91 online yes—could not hear 74% vote to pass

Michael Mulgrew—Thanks everyone. Everything is incumbent on right person winning election in two weeks. Doesn’t matter what side or other shenanigans we hear about all the time. Have made intentions clear. Will be attack on everything. Thanks those on buses.

Phone banking non stop, and in FL even after hurricane. We can have our own debates, but their platform is clear. Health care under attack, defunded. Want to make unions irrelevant. They have unions in FL. All year they sign people up, and have until September 15, need 65% to be union again. Every year union membership expires. So union has no political power. Trying to remain relevant until things are changed. Not hiding it. Everything we debate in here, all goes away if WH doesn’t go right way. What he did last time will be nothing like what happens this time. Will be much tighter plan.

Basically feds will say no one deserves anything, union declawed.

Congratulates Bennett for daughter’s wedding.

Have to stay focused. Election won’t be settled Election Night. MSK sent another letter. We are being used as pawns in negotiation. Important hospital to us. We negotiated concierge care. Hospital transparency means all hospitals can see what others charge All chains making money, CEOs get bonuses based on revenue.

MSK was getting 30% less, so wants 30% more. MSK has better care. Doing process until we can change federally. Doing it as state doesn’t work. Have to be in middle of conversations. Talking to Anthem. Tried to scare us, pressure insurance company. Shouldn’t put fear in people.

Now say they want 10% increase. We look at what execs get. We’re not letting MSK drop out. Too important. Since we set up HSS, have had over 750 participate, 380 receiving care. They are the best—not the most expensive.

Sorry. was in Bronx Special Ed. self contained today. We have major increase in special ed. early childhood due to Covid. Not used to kids grabbing pants legs.

Will continue to have our debates, but most important is winning. Will be no debates. Us against them and nothing else. They hate us more than anyone else.

Bennett—past automatic adjournment, 3:05, MSK negotiation do not affect those on Medicare. Meeting adjourned, drop clickers off. Let us know if you want to be on health committee in lobby.