28 Comments

Thank you for writing the truth and fighting on behalf of NYC Retirees. My pockets are emptying fast!

Can this be posted on their FB page?

Expand full comment

Thanks for your kind words. Feel free to share this wherever, and with whomever you wish.

Expand full comment

This column should be published in the UFT monthly magazine! It explains all of the relevant points on healthcare .

Expand full comment

Thanks Keith. I don't see much possibility of this regime publishing my work. I submitted one piece earlier this year that went nowhere, and I see no reason to repeat that exercise. I'm still here, though.

Expand full comment

What about Retiree Advocate?

Expand full comment

You'd have to ask them.

Expand full comment

Keith, Arthur is being a diplomatic friend in his response. I’m not diplomatic — ABC has been looking for opportunities to work with Retiree Advocate, but they won’t even meet with us. Retirees need to put pressure on the RA leadership and demand they stop being kept in the dark. Please spread the word about the 1/5 Zoom meeting, and help us protect the retirees and their healthcare.

Expand full comment

Regarding "keeping retirees in the dark" - maybe Arthur can explain why he voted in 2018 for the contract that initiated the sellout of retiree healthcare? Maybe an apology to retirees would be in order?

Expand full comment

Well thank you for bringing that up, Sean. After I was thrown out of a caucus I'd helped win seats, I aligned with Unity. I worked with them about three years, trying very hard to fix Part 154, which hurts my students. I had no idea of what that contract was going to entail when I supported it, or I would not have done so. As I became more aware of what Medicare Advantage was, I pulled away from Unity. This is very well documented on NYC Educator, where I used to write, and is not precisely a state secret.

Expand full comment

Division is what Unity wants!

Expand full comment

Keep up the good fight!

Expand full comment

Thanks Jasmine!

Expand full comment

You're welcome 😊

Expand full comment

Another great column. I think UFT members will remember what is coming out of their pocket more than the false accusations that RTC leadership support the NYS health act. Come join Arthur on the 5th to continue to hear the truth.

Expand full comment

Thanks Arthur.

Expand full comment

Thanks for keeping us informed with truth. Unity hates that and will try and fight truth always!!

Expand full comment

Thank you Lisa.

Expand full comment

You ROCK, Arthur! Keep bringing it to them.

Expand full comment

Thank you Larry!

Expand full comment

Thank you again! Can you link Marianne’s debunking you tube video on Union Matters? I had it up yesterday but took it off because I was uncertain about posting it here since my Substack is public instead of just friends as it is on FB. She does a great job at pulling apart what the co-pay,back door premium topic is here piece by piece and showing where the fault actually began. Her debunking videos are so informative and factual. She also goes after Lynn W. for her disinformation. Thanks again, Arthur

Expand full comment

Thanks Kathy. Marianne does an awful lot of videos. Feel free to post them in the comments if you wish.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much

Expand full comment

Keith, Arthur’s newsletter is sent to the retiree advocate email.

Expand full comment

I hear lots of angry words but nothing on How will you make that happen?

Expand full comment

Sean, I think we can all agree that Arthur's excellent pieces are invaluable in having us get a glimpse of the anti-union decisions our Unity leadership has engaged for decades. Education's the key in making things happen the right way. For now, how about insisting our current leadership join Marianne's beautiful fight: Not only should Unity donate to the NYOPSR but, at minimum, they should lobby for bill 1096 and submit an amicus on our behalf towards the Bentkowski v Aetna case

Expand full comment

They should, Laura, but we will.

Expand full comment

You said it Arthur!

Expand full comment