Our Second Democratic RTC Meeting

We pass two resolutions, one of which was motivated just today

This is my second year as a retiree. During year one, we never voted on anything. There were never motions. We were lucky if we were able to ask questions. These meetings now are much better. While we have disagreements, we are now a real union group in a real union hall.

It was unconscionable that Unity allowed us to go years with no voice whatsoever in the union to which we pay dues. They did, however. There will be no apology, because Unity never apologizes for anything. With those folks, the buck stops nowhere.

Our RTC meeting went better than it did last month. I had an appointment this morning so I attended online. Bennett Fischer was more confident, and there was less microphone noise in the beginning. Toward the end, though, I heard people complaining about pretty much every speaker, no matter what they were saying.

We passed two motions today. One, the original version of which I actually wrote, was to oppose co-pays on Medicare/ Senor Care. Unity was more polite this month than last, but worked hard to disrupt this. They brought up points that, to me, seemed irrelevant. They said it did not jibe with a City Council bill that insists we retain the same quality coverage we had in 2021.

They brought up a new point, as well. They insisted if we did not pay these copays, they would be passed on to in service members. That’s an interesting approach. I’d argue, though, that these co-pays were imposed only to make Unity’s Medicare Advantage scheme appear more attractive. There was, if I recall correctly, an $1800 ceiling on co-pays in the MA plan, and none for Medicare with Senior Care. Of course, before that Medicare/ Senior Care had NO co-pays. To sell the scheme, which they did not, that had to change.

Mulgrew also announced, I believe at an RTC meeting last year, that these co-pays were meant to be temporary. So no, I don’t believe these are costs meant to be passed on to those in-service. The fact is this entire Medicare Advantage scheme was cooked up by Mulgrew and his Very Smart People. None of us had a vote on them, and the details were deliberately concealed from us. These were terrible, outlandish deals that no union leader should have considered, let alone agreed to.

Make no mistake, these awful deals cost them the RTC election. Recent developments suggest to me they are never winning it back, and I’ll have more on that later this week.

Unity spent a lot of time trying to delay, table or kill this bill by any means necessary. A reporter once told me when they had to speak on camera, and had nothing special to say, they call it “tap dancing.” For my money, Unity did quite a bit of tap dancing today.

Former UFT VP Sterling Roberson (the first person I ever saw using PowerPoint effectively, rather than just reading slides) brought a motion to oppose Trump’s plans to eliminate the US Department of Education. I don’t understand why this came before us first, but I certainly support this idea. The sole objection came from someone who thought it should’ve first gone before the DA. While I agreed that might’ve made more sense, I didn’t hesitate to vote yes.

Notes—unedited

1:08—I seem to be looking at a PowerPoint presentation, going from one slide to another.

1:12 Bennett welcomes us. Says Mulgrew unavailable. Calls Gloria Brandman to speak in memory of Lisa North

Gloria—Lisa was lifelong fighter for human rights, for 25 years was progressive educator, CL, coach, more things, environmental activist, loving mom. Always supportive. Became active in ICE, anti-war groups. 2010 started GEM, public ed. supporters. Founding members of MORE, Lisa ran for president with RA in 2012. Didn’t participate in our victory, but with us in spirit.

Bennett—Last meeting, enjoyed hybrid voting system, debate, passing resolution. Took step toward bringing member voice to forefront. Our resolution up next month. Last month had two guest speakers, spoke clearly, on topic, listened closely. Tried to answer questions. Had not discussed these lawsuits. First one being heard in Albany right now as we speak. Ruled 12-126 prevents city from charging upcharge for our current plan.

Healthy to bring in outside voices. I saw that we can have lively discussion and survive disagreement. Determined to let people ask questions and be heard, within respectful structure. Understand people use questions for political statement, fine with that. We are adults, can handle political discourse, especially when politics affects us.

Changes coming—benefit changes. Expanding dental, adding providers, will invite WF next month to explain.

People asking about Part D—price going up. Will explain other changes if there are any. Senior Care copays coming. Injunction lifted, but case ongoing. Has to be heard on merits.

Ongoing MSK-Anthem negotiations. Mulgrew says UFT will do all we can for positive result. Doesn’t affect Medicare-eligible retirees, unless in Anthem MA.

Facebook page is okay. Happy to have it, though I’m not on it. 2250 signed up. Hope it is useful resource.

Last week had meeting with RTC coordinators from around country. Learned how we can support them helping members, organizing, doing political action. Lynn Winderbaum will report on FL election efforts.

Shout out to RTC members who phone banked and canvassed. Booked second bus to PA. Was wonderful traveling with union family for common cause. Drives home power of union.

We will face threats in wake of election, as we live in interesting times. Likely to see attacks on unions, public ed, SS and Medicare. Will be bad for migrant and refugee students in our community. SCOTUS will expand on Janus, make things hard, NLRB will try to stifle our voices. Anti labor, ed, health and human services. Tax policies will threaten Medicare and SS.

Federal ed. money will be under fire. Contingent on enactment of vouchers and unaccountable charters. We will fight to protect our union. Strong unions make strong communities. We show up, organize, and are not easily fooled. We learn from mistakes and experience. Can never stop supporting each other.

Questions—

Josie Levine—At first meeting we got list of meetings for entire year. Haven’t gotten it yet. Couldn’t find out about this meeting. Can we have a list?

Bennett—Yes. On me. I apologize. Will send out.

Joe ?—Was a quote from your invited guest that discussed what a member said. Within rules but bad taste. Please make every effort this doesn’t happen.

Bennett—Marianne, in a video, had an audio clip of questions, and answered them. I got emails and thank those who sent them. Was unaware. Told her I thought that was wrong. Are other ways to discuss these things. Quote question without posting audio, for example.

Sean Ahearn—Happy you were elected, Mulgrew turned around from MA, but problem still there. What is plan to address this and attacks on SS?

Bennett—Happy union changed stance. Wish union policy was to do more. Have spoken to Mulgrew. Would like us to be more supportive of lawsuits, exploring alternatives to protect our health care. Wish our union was supporting legislation on state and local levels. Are bills in Albany and NYC. Hope that our chapter can use our voice to influence leadership to be more supportive.

Mike Broca—Cost for retirees is less than one half of one percent of city budget. We are not problem. In service much more expensive. Idea city shouldn’t be responsible for that percentage is outrageous.

Bennett—Thank you.

Susan Jacobson—Luddite, does not use computer, especially for money. Recently received benefits report that says we will no longer get paper statements. Disservice to us who don’t want others to have access.

Bennett—I will reach out to TRS Trustees about this.

Point of order—Chat disabled on Zoom.

Bennett—will get back up.

Sara Sherman—Congratulates you. Election was referendum on MA, that union ignored our desire to oppose it. Members supported Medicare, Union ignored it. What about other city unions. Are they joining us? Congratulates Mulgrew for his stand on congestion pricing. Will affect working people who come to city. How can we make politicians more sensitive to working people? That’s why Republicans won. Have to make all pols more sensitive to working people.

Bennett—Other unions are involved fighting MA. Other retiree orgs and unions voted against plan in MLC. There is a movement.

Peterson Darowitz—What is our chapter doing to maintain and strengthen links with in service members? That will light a fire under pols. If you think MA is screwing us, Tier 6 is bad. We have to fight.

Bennett—We need to be doing more to support our in service members. We have mentoring. Could and should do more.

Lynne Winderbaum—Was asked to talk about political action in FL. Our public schools union under attack. book banning. avoidance of LGBTQ issues. Our members on front line of fighting. Won’t give up. Will continue forward.

Outreach—in 2016 did phone banks with paper and index cards. Never captured data. Didn’t know what people supported. Couldn’t target people. In 2016, we said we have to do something new. Published monthly newsletter. Started FB page. Can’t just call once every 4 years. Had to keep connection, inform people.

Went to Mailchimp. 6857 subscribers. Designed with different sections. Gives important dates. Keeps us connected. Interactive pages. Not allowed to endorse within FL, not local, but endorse AFL CIO and locals.

School Board elections—want to use to promote book banning, “anti-woke” policies. used Hustle member to member texts. This is how you get messages from politicians and doctors. Used it in August. Better to call, but if down to the wire, we use text. Didn’t use it in general.

DeSantis supported Moms for Liberty on local schoolboards. Amendment 1 would’ve made school boards partisan—defeated. Won 7 or 12 school board elections. DeSantis lost 16 of 23 conservative leaning candidates. FL UFT made calls and did Hustle texts.

Labor Action Network LAN—Can determine who to speak to by age, gender, political affiliation, area, propensity to support positions or candidates. All public record. For positions, LAN lets us collect data when we call. Callers don’t see. Every survey response visible to us. We have different banks with different scripts.

We support candidates who support public education, union, senior benefits, not based on party affiliation.

We got 80% of UFT households to vote. Higher than general turnout. We will keep pushing.

Bennett—Love hearing about this operation. Lynne will take questions

What books are banned and why?

FL leads country in book banning. You can object to any book. Hundreds removed from shelves. Look it up online. Pen Association has a list. House on Mango St. Diary of Anne Frank, Roberto Clemente bio, anything with LGBT character banned. Two parents responsible for 600 removals. Students can’t read material that reflects themselves.

How can they get newsletter?

Has to give email address. Will place in chat. uft.rtc.florida@tampabay.rr.com?

Denise Rickles—Interested in program you used for phone banking. what is cost?

L—Don’t know, but AFT pays.

Gloria Brandman—In NYC, no book banning, but it is horrific. What can we do? Can this be national campaign?

L—Never thought of reaching out naturally, but great idea. FL Ed Association has been very good in this fight, contacting legislators. Great idea to go national. May soon be a necessity. Freedom to read may be in danger everywhere.

Bennett—Thanks Lynne

Motions—

Sterling Roberson—resolution for this month. To oppose Trump’s plan to dismantle US DOE. To protect title 1 to title 9. access for homeless kids, programs.

Point of order—Says submitted by RTC, but has not been. Intend to submit to DA?

SR—yes.

Voting—passes 89%

Special Order of Business—RTC approves resolution—

Bobby Greenberg—retirees need more care, use Senior care, copays imposed Jan, create regular fees like premiums, inflation makes it hardship—We oppose imposition of copays. Will call on UFT to resist.

People say what’s $15, but it adds up. People are already struggling. Can be hundreds or thousands. We just got rid of it. Won case because of mistake, but contract was renegotiated. We need to fight this. We won’t be fooled, it’s a premium. We deserve and have had premium free health care. With shift in election, it’s open season on us. Must draw line here.

?—Intro 1096 before City Council—wants sub medigap coverage to equal Senior Care. Would this change 12-126. Could they include copays?

B—not sure.

Sara Shapiro—Not aware of anything related to senior care in new bill. Just more detailed than previous Charles Baron bill. Says nothing about Senior Care, or change.

Norm Scott—We need to stop them from charging as much as they can. New admin could stop or curtail Medicare. Project 2025 wants MA, as do dems and our own leadership. We have to take a stand to stop them taking money from our pockets.

Point of information—Code 1096 Bill would preserve health care, city must offer Medicare eligible at least one Medigap equal or better than what we had as of Sept. 2021.

Point of info—This resolution does not include a statement on any subsequent plan that could be considered for any copays. Should it include that for contingencies?

B—Doesn’t know.

Nina Tribble—Asked last meeting. Because of what Ellen stated, I don’t think we should talk about it now. May need amendment, Should table. Urge vote against.

Daniel Harkavy—1096 says no copays. Would not interfere. Should debate only motion. No adjustment necessary.

Point of information—As member now I pay copays. Question is how does this affect those who follow us. Don’t think it’s thoroughly planned. Can’t just think of ourselves. Cost of my premium will go up because you don’t want co-pay.

?—calls question.

?—moves to table discussion.

Nina Tribble—asks it be voted down. 55-65 insurance will go up. We should be inclusive. I didn’t say tabling.

Norm Scott—violation roberts rules, was never motion to table, was motion to call question.

B—didn’t recognize or hear motion to table. Heard motion to call question.

?—When motion was presented to call question, was no second.

B—asks for second.

seconded

room 172 yes 48 n phone 741 302 72% yes

Resolution vote—

room y 177 n 41 y 939 no 197 82% in favor passes

Next order of business—

Sterling Roberson—opposing Trump’s plan to end DOE. Wants to bring control back to states. Before 1979, issue was disparity across board in funding. Quality was disparate, no standards. Moving backward. Economically disadvantaged, ELLs, ss with disabilities hurt. Resolution allows us to bridge gap. You may remember what it used to be like, even in NYC. Allows us to support in service. Will read resolved.

Oppose plan, continue to advocate for all funding titles, educate members, UFT will mobilize membership to oppose, work with elected officials. Loan forgiveness impacts many teachers.

Please support in service.

Seconded.

Dana Ohelmeyer—Opposes because more suited to main body of UFT. Votes to table and send to DA.

Ellen ?—In favor. Is about our neighborhoods, not just in service. About being able to provide money to support schools. Mistake to think only in-service folks should vote.

Sean Ahearn—Everyone wants money for schools. Dept created during Reagan admin. endorsement of all programs and strings with money?

B—Let’s debate is as written.Leona Ackerman

Call question.

Second.

room y 208 n 9 online 967 no 146 88% yes

Resolution

y 199 no 14 y 885 n 129 88%

passes

Open Mike—

Greg DeStefano—Earlier someone said we have to do something for active members. Tier 6 active for 12 years. We haven’t done enough. Mulgrew said people see Dem Party not serving needs. Had governor who didn’t serve our needs. We should’ve fought that. Let’s think of things we can do to help people in schools.

B—Someone can’t find her coat.

Leona Ackerman—Talks about chorus at Carnegie Hall. Has flyers. Can we get TRS rep here?

B—yes next meeting Dec. 17.

Steven Kay—Not everyone has internet, electronic communications, should have things in UFT paper, not just online. Would come to more meetings if I knew. Wants things in newspaper, not online.

B—Meeting adjourned.