F#%k creme brulee! ( and F@$k little crab thingies.) I’d rather have health insurance for me and my fellow retirees and a living wage for my working brothers and sisters.
Same with me Arthur. When I was the Educational Evaluator District 29 liaison, which was similar to being a chapter leader, I was invited to the Gurney Inn for a Union Weekend. I had my own suite, free time in a spa, and the most delicious meals. Naive 33 year old me never considered where the money came from paying for it. Besides my wife still has not forgiven me for that great weekend while she stayed home caring for our baby.
chapter leader training was a total waste of time....it wasn't training. it was indoctrination....it was letting new chapter leaders what might lay ahead for them if they played ball....that was incredibly clear the moment I walked in. I left early..
In retrospect, of course you're right. I stayed though. I really needed all the help I could get. It took me a while before I realized where I could really find it.
unfortunately, help wasn't from the uft in general, as one might expect...you had to find the select few who could and would help...fortunately I had a really good chapter leader to start with...then I read the entire contract since the union wasn't helping so much...and then I had a really good district rep...and I was lucky that when I left my first school and went to my second one and became chapter leader there, even though I really was trying to get away from all that chaos, I had another really good district rep...
I also read the entire contract when I started. I found, though, that I needed to be readily familiar with only the few parts that came up over and over. And, of course, I'd go back as necessary. I also had a small network of people I could go to when things got tough, and when you have 350 plus members, they always do.
I know this went on in GM in the eighty's with their union. The union cap council would have these parties my mom met oj and went to dinner dances. So I guess this confuses me now it was a bribe.. wow I was just a kid back then I did not understand. Wow .. Gm in the eighty's was crazy but knowing this smdh
Wow. Well, the biggest celebrity I met at chapter leader training was Michael Mulgrew. I was writing for what's now Chalkbeat and I managed to squeeze a quote out of him for the piece I was working on. He started out a little snide, knowing who I was, but eventually gave me a line I could use.
Still have a few union papers 🗞️ from the early ninitys from my mom may have to read what they say now .. Even if you were not on this committee if you were a beautiful female automatically in...
Interesting story , I think this happens in unions across the country sadly , I recall getting very little help from my first union man in 1974 and I needed it . But he sure enjoyed his job and just the fact that he was a union rep he was totally protected in the building. I did go over his head and called the central office when I could not get answers when I needed them about a serious issue. There should be protection for all union members from wasteful spending of union dues that you describe.
As a chapter newly elected, I experienced it . The very premeditated socializing introduction to convincing you that this is “democratic “ process of union organization. They were ready to challenge voices of opposition, by challenging those voices to show why the union was UN Democratic. Unfortunately some of the opposition were not able to present a convincing argument. The process in my opinion has to start in the chapter. Unfortunately the opposition, many times, was too accommodating to the union hacks!The concept of organizing in the chapter has to be priority now as it was then in the 1980-90’s!
I agree with you that organizing is a key point for a better UFT. I also agree that making nice with Unity is utterly ineffective. I spent months and months going to meetings trying to fix Part 154, which has sorely cut English instruction for the students I serve. I heard a lot of promises and good intentions but they led us precisely nowhere.
Is ABC still a part of the Retiree election in 2025? Is ABC a different fight for Traditional Medicare? I’m sorry I missed the Zoom. I have been ill for Two weeks and still trying to recover.
Well you still didn’t answer the question. Whats the Platform? Who’s actually running? Which caucus do you support? You’re right though it is alphabet soup. There’s nothing unifying about ABC,MORE,ICE. It sounds like a mess of caucuses that don’t seem to have a plan.
I most certainly answered your question. I fully understand why you're so keen on changing the subject--that your caucus sold us out, and continues to do so. I'm with ABC. We are not a caucus. We have a platform, and we will reveal our candidates soon.
😂 I’m asking for details. Asking for details is not changing the subject. The membership has a right to know If ABC is a caucus or not, and you informed me as such. Enjoy the rest of your day as well.
What kind of alternative is ABC offering? or is it More? or is it ICE? I heard something about ARISE? What kind of plans are they offering for everyone? I’d like to hear more details. Are they going to make sure I don’t lose my Pension benefits? How is More or ABC or ICE or Arise oh sleeper going to make sure they can lobby to make sure our Social Security benefits aren’t cut? Details are a lot more concrete than these daily posts talking about Medicare Advantage.
That's a curious comment from someone whose caucus sold us out repeatedly, and continues to lie to us. It's especially funny as it's addressed to members who've successfully battled your efforts for years. Highly illogical to assume we wouldn't do the same when others threaten us.
That would be almost as illogical as supporting those who've betrayed us in the past.
Thank you for another amusing article. In any case it is good to see that some members of the UFT, through Unity, are being treated so well. And I know that, someday if the MLC has its way (really unopposed by Mulgrew) and we get MA forced down our throats, when some UFT members and retirees get denials of pre-authorizations for crucial treatments that their Drs urgently recommended, they can at least be comforted knowing that some fellow UFT members are being taken care of.
Happy New Year to you Ben. No I do not support Unity, and it is my intent to defeat them this year in the general, just as we defeated them last year in the retiree chapter.
I once went to a big meeting in Washington DC. I cant remember if it was hosted by AFT or UFT. What I do remember is the luxurious accommodations, the exquisite food and tables of desserts that would knock your socks off. I never saw so so many different kinds of desserts in my life. My second thought after being bedazzled was , “Is this how our union dues are being spent?”
DC meeting was likely AFT. I've been to two AFT things. Once I went to Minneapolis on my own dime, and another time I was invited to AFT TEACH in DC. AFT does that on years they are not running a national convention, I think
F#%k creme brulee! ( and F@$k little crab thingies.) I’d rather have health insurance for me and my fellow retirees and a living wage for my working brothers and sisters.
I couldn't agree more.
Same with me Arthur. When I was the Educational Evaluator District 29 liaison, which was similar to being a chapter leader, I was invited to the Gurney Inn for a Union Weekend. I had my own suite, free time in a spa, and the most delicious meals. Naive 33 year old me never considered where the money came from paying for it. Besides my wife still has not forgiven me for that great weekend while she stayed home caring for our baby.
I hope she gets over it one day Arthur. Hope springeth eternal.
Thanking my stars I never had a UFT Rep like that, for you, for Amy, and everyone who skips the crème brûlée.
Thanks Floraine!
chapter leader training was a total waste of time....it wasn't training. it was indoctrination....it was letting new chapter leaders what might lay ahead for them if they played ball....that was incredibly clear the moment I walked in. I left early..
In retrospect, of course you're right. I stayed though. I really needed all the help I could get. It took me a while before I realized where I could really find it.
unfortunately, help wasn't from the uft in general, as one might expect...you had to find the select few who could and would help...fortunately I had a really good chapter leader to start with...then I read the entire contract since the union wasn't helping so much...and then I had a really good district rep...and I was lucky that when I left my first school and went to my second one and became chapter leader there, even though I really was trying to get away from all that chaos, I had another really good district rep...
I also read the entire contract when I started. I found, though, that I needed to be readily familiar with only the few parts that came up over and over. And, of course, I'd go back as necessary. I also had a small network of people I could go to when things got tough, and when you have 350 plus members, they always do.
all true
I know this went on in GM in the eighty's with their union. The union cap council would have these parties my mom met oj and went to dinner dances. So I guess this confuses me now it was a bribe.. wow I was just a kid back then I did not understand. Wow .. Gm in the eighty's was crazy but knowing this smdh
Wow. Well, the biggest celebrity I met at chapter leader training was Michael Mulgrew. I was writing for what's now Chalkbeat and I managed to squeeze a quote out of him for the piece I was working on. He started out a little snide, knowing who I was, but eventually gave me a line I could use.
Still have a few union papers 🗞️ from the early ninitys from my mom may have to read what they say now .. Even if you were not on this committee if you were a beautiful female automatically in...
Well, I never had that going for me, I have to say.
Interesting story , I think this happens in unions across the country sadly , I recall getting very little help from my first union man in 1974 and I needed it . But he sure enjoyed his job and just the fact that he was a union rep he was totally protected in the building. I did go over his head and called the central office when I could not get answers when I needed them about a serious issue. There should be protection for all union members from wasteful spending of union dues that you describe.
Sorry you had to go throught that. I'd argue, if your union rep is totally protected in the building, your union rep is not likely doing the job.
As a chapter newly elected, I experienced it . The very premeditated socializing introduction to convincing you that this is “democratic “ process of union organization. They were ready to challenge voices of opposition, by challenging those voices to show why the union was UN Democratic. Unfortunately some of the opposition were not able to present a convincing argument. The process in my opinion has to start in the chapter. Unfortunately the opposition, many times, was too accommodating to the union hacks!The concept of organizing in the chapter has to be priority now as it was then in the 1980-90’s!
I agree with you that organizing is a key point for a better UFT. I also agree that making nice with Unity is utterly ineffective. I spent months and months going to meetings trying to fix Part 154, which has sorely cut English instruction for the students I serve. I heard a lot of promises and good intentions but they led us precisely nowhere.
I’m lost with this. I think I’m missing something.
What do you need to know, Kathy?
Is ABC still a part of the Retiree election in 2025? Is ABC a different fight for Traditional Medicare? I’m sorry I missed the Zoom. I have been ill for Two weeks and still trying to recover.
Hope you are better soon. I'm affiliated with ABC and we support the fight for traditional Medicare, which I call real Medicare.
Thank you! Me too! My husband just got vertigo in the middle of the night. Now we are both not doing well! Hello 2025
Well you still didn’t answer the question. Whats the Platform? Who’s actually running? Which caucus do you support? You’re right though it is alphabet soup. There’s nothing unifying about ABC,MORE,ICE. It sounds like a mess of caucuses that don’t seem to have a plan.
I most certainly answered your question. I fully understand why you're so keen on changing the subject--that your caucus sold us out, and continues to do so. I'm with ABC. We are not a caucus. We have a platform, and we will reveal our candidates soon.
You have a nice day now.
😂 I’m asking for details. Asking for details is not changing the subject. The membership has a right to know If ABC is a caucus or not, and you informed me as such. Enjoy the rest of your day as well.
What kind of alternative is ABC offering? or is it More? or is it ICE? I heard something about ARISE? What kind of plans are they offering for everyone? I’d like to hear more details. Are they going to make sure I don’t lose my Pension benefits? How is More or ABC or ICE or Arise oh sleeper going to make sure they can lobby to make sure our Social Security benefits aren’t cut? Details are a lot more concrete than these daily posts talking about Medicare Advantage.
That's a curious comment from someone whose caucus sold us out repeatedly, and continues to lie to us. It's especially funny as it's addressed to members who've successfully battled your efforts for years. Highly illogical to assume we wouldn't do the same when others threaten us.
That would be almost as illogical as supporting those who've betrayed us in the past.
Thanks for the alphabet soup, by the way.
Thank you for another amusing article. In any case it is good to see that some members of the UFT, through Unity, are being treated so well. And I know that, someday if the MLC has its way (really unopposed by Mulgrew) and we get MA forced down our throats, when some UFT members and retirees get denials of pre-authorizations for crucial treatments that their Drs urgently recommended, they can at least be comforted knowing that some fellow UFT members are being taken care of.
Yeah, I guess when you make as much as they do, an extra 10K a year to buy your own Medicare is not such a big deal.
Exactly
Happy New Year
I am familiar with your school in district 27
I was in district 27
Many unity leaders came from your school
Tom Pappas, Liz Languilli and Harolyn Fritz
They helped me many times
Do you still support unity
Happy New Year to you Ben. No I do not support Unity, and it is my intent to defeat them this year in the general, just as we defeated them last year in the retiree chapter.
I once went to a big meeting in Washington DC. I cant remember if it was hosted by AFT or UFT. What I do remember is the luxurious accommodations, the exquisite food and tables of desserts that would knock your socks off. I never saw so so many different kinds of desserts in my life. My second thought after being bedazzled was , “Is this how our union dues are being spent?”
DC meeting was likely AFT. I've been to two AFT things. Once I went to Minneapolis on my own dime, and another time I was invited to AFT TEACH in DC. AFT does that on years they are not running a national convention, I think