UFT Delegate Assembly--We Vote to End Meeting

Mulgrew continues it anyway.

Voting to extend requires a 2/3 majority. When Michael Mulgrew didn’t get one, after audibly asking someone to make the motion, he continued it anyway. Evidently he wants us to see Unity as heroic for passing a resolution brought by RTC, after amending it to

a. Make Unity look like big heroes, and

b. force some committee Mulgrew spoke of earlier in his endless speechifying.

This is symbolic of something very obvious, I’d say. When the DA, the highest body in the union, voted not to extend the meeting for 15 minutes, Mulgrew extended it for 16 regardless. Clearly, we are the United Federation of Michael Mulgrew and his Unity Patronage Cult.

RTC Chapter Leader Bennett spoke eloquently about the need to bring health changes before the DA. It’s outrageous that Mulgrew and his Very Smart People have chosen to do otherwise for years. Mulgrew talks trash about the NY Health Act, but you’d better sit while you wait for him to debate Gustavo Rivera on it.

The DA has supported the NYHA not once but twice. Mulgrew ignores UFT policy as he wishes, just as he did tonight. Do you think their impressive-sounding amendment will make any difference if Michael Mulgrew and Unity change their minds?

That’s another issue here—even though LeRoy Barr got up and said he would never, ever force retirees into an MA plan, and even though Unity is very proud of themselves for thinking of this, that horse has left the barn. They already did it, and there’s an amicus brief from the MLC, including us, in support of that very thing.

We, the NYC Retirees, are facing a court battle in which we may indeed be forced into MA, and neither Mulgrew, LeRoy, nor any of their Very Smart People are doing anything to stop it. Please donate to support our efforts. (I just did).

Mulgrew says he will take action if we lose the case in the Court of Appeals, the highest court in NY State. Pardon me, but it seems to me the time to fight is before you lose in the highest court in the land.

I was also quite impressed with Mulgrew’s strenuous opposition to the terrible programs he did nothing to oppose—the scripted educational programs that are torturing teachers citywide. It reminds me of Tier 6, which showed up in 2010 with no UFT opposition whatsoever.

Also, after having a 450 million dollar fund that could have been used to raise salaries for paras, but did not, and getting his ass kicked by a slate called Fix Para Pay, Mulgrew wants to help paraprofessionals.

I don’t even think you need to be cynical to question the actions of these folks.

Notes—unedited

Mulgrew thanks us for joining. Talks of Christmas sweaters and spirit.

Not a lot of people happy with 2024, he says. Asks for moment of silence for Ellen Fox, union advocate.

Thanks us for getting through resolutions, says he liked that last month, will speak longer this month, politics unsettled.

National—Big difference will be large group of powerful rich people around, industry based, want things for their industries. Donated hundreds of millions to influence, thanks to Citizens United.

Our concern is education and union. Lots of meetings, talking at state level legislatively. Hysteria—everyone should take a deep breath, we face crises every day. Will be big attacks upon us.

Education—Don’t know if they want to block grant everything and make states apply. Like Race to the Top, but title 1 and IDDA were separate. Will they survive based on student head counts, or whether states apply for grants?

We will monitor and plan, possibly take legal actions. Want to eliminate DOE and remove policies they say hamstring states. There is purpose for these issues, civil rights—if states do what they want, doesn’t work our for public ed. Students with IEPs protected federally as well.

Next DA right before they take over. Will be attacks on unions. Many unions lost right to bargain and function. Gone toward stopping free speech for teacher unions. Have to be smart, but doesn’t mean we do not fight. Will fight viciously to preserve rights.

They will try to divide and conquer. Schools divide teachers, but our job is to try and prep our union to deal with these issues. May be in fights of our life.

State—Governor’s race already starting for next year. Say Hochul not popular due to national election. Can a Republican win? Real questions. We don;’t have permanent friends, but rather permanent issues.

Governor has been big supporter of public ed. Supporting congestion pricing she didn’t want, never signed bill.

City—Mayor is back. Don’t know what this means. You’ve read the headlines. Adams currying favor with Trump. Will be primary in June, large field. Will watch, see where it goes, ranked choice voting.

Also we have our own election. Walking into very challenging time. Elections about divide, conquer, cause fear at very time we need to be together, while we face attacks. I will protect families, profession. If I see things that will hamper us, will call it out.

If they come after collective bargaining, impose laws from Florida, we will form coalition to fight viciously against those coming toward us.

Education—Curriculum—Sent memo on literacy curriculum. We support the science of reading. We do not support previous methodology, do not support everyone do their own thing. I would fight against DOE if they tried to mandate that we have right curriculum. I didn’t have it, Was burden to find it.

You should be given it, but not told you have to follow it with “fidelity.” My response is, do you want fidelity or integrity. Integrity means do as a professional, meet needs of students. We asked you to supply us with spreadsheets, told teachers to download digital info on paper, so principal could sent to superintendent, who didn’t read it.

You can just go into platform and it produces this digitally.You could have a GT class doing a module, getting test every Friday. Maybe you finish it 5 days. In other classes, that won’t happen. But I’ll give them test anyways. Stupidity of system. Means you can’t modify lessons to make them work. Brought to chancellor, DOE sits there and says what spreadsheets?

Principals say they have no choice. We collect info, and supers now say DOE told them to do this. Should be cleared up with last week’s memo saying no spreadsheets. That’s it. Please follow up for members, bring to consultation. Waste of time.

School told us kids would share answers with whole school. Same assessments, same answers every week. DOE was glad all kids may pass.

Working on illustrative math. Principals and superintendents who are upset should not be in jobs. Every school should discuss what is appropriate. You may want to use some of them.

Shows you people in charge don’t know systems. If not happening, bring it up in consultation,

Illustrative math—principals were not taught in schools first using it, HS and MS. Prerequisites were not taught. Four massive holes covered in Regents not in curriculum. Most HSs decided they would not let it affect Regents scores. Some like it.

Meeting with those in charge of implementation.

SED moving into phase two of new graduation requirements. Have teachers, Janella Hinds up there. Regents want to keep Regents exam, with menu of things schools can use in lieu of Regents. Not dropping our standards.

Class size—applications went out. Legislation comprehensive. We have 350 schools have completed applications. Money tied to a discrete funding line from state, is recurring. Part of foundation aid. If you receive money for lowering class size, you will continue to receive it, unless financial calamity. Not in regular FSF.

Having difficult time, doing presentations, getting questions from principals and superintendents who don’t have answers. Want as many schools as we can to get money this year. Have another week to apply.

In our coalition with parents and teachers, elementary parents and others were clear. Made provisions it be flexible. If you’re overcrowded you’ll get a waiver but city has to have plan to come up with more space. Agreed not to cap schools. Parents want their kids in close schools, so we said we would never do it.

Moms for Liberty started to use and create fear children would be bused to other district. Lying but did it anyway. We have capital money to do this anyway. Overcrowded schools will get annex, based on need, not politics. For years, only way to get a school was via politics. Has to be based on student needs.

Will look at waiver process in Spring. As soon as we issue waivers means clock starts on plan.

Paraprofessionals—Most every schools in survey, had press conference, had 1600, DOE said 2000 but had 2400 two years ago. Reached out to DOE. Reached out to over 600 people. Need to get paras in schools. Need basic number of people we need to have.

Met with para Exec. Board, great group, running campaign about respect. Paras serve vital role, but don’t feel part of school community. Doing the work. If they have problems, in lunchroom when shouldn’t be there, you have to support para rights. Have to start saying you’re part of our community, we appreciate you. Makes it easier to reach others in room. Campaign for respect for paraprofessionals. Want them active in school consultation committee.

Right now they say they need more pay. I agree, but…we have collective bargaining, which we have to protect, and we have pattern bargaining. I don’t like it. First contract I negotiated pattern bargaining worked for us. Bloomberg wanted to pay lower than pattern. Got raise and retro payments, though not initially, and pattern was upheld.

Biggest problem for title on lower end is raises must be done on percentages. On lower end, dollar value less than higher end. 30 years ago separation not as bad. I believe paras should be paid more. Two negotiations ago, wanted to pay paras more, OLR would not agree, said it would cause problems with others.

Went to de Blasio—

Someone calls point of order—

Mulgrew says stop. Then takes point of order. Doesn’t like behavior, people yelling.

Lois Weiner—UFT constitution says agenda set by Adcom with approval of exec board. Robert’s Rules of Order…

Mulgrew says we modified it….Calls her out of order, asks mike be turned off.

Lois—appeals decision of chair….

Mulgrew, sorry for people online, assuming about shortening report…

Point of order not question…

People chant “UFT.”

LW—Asks whether last article of UFT constitution, says it overrides other procedures or policies, whether it applies to agenda being set, because Adcome and Exec Board proposed it…

Mulgrew—Wants to know if agenda has to be accepted by DA. We are here to inform, information is priority of report. Constitution clear. Exec. Board been elected, can approve or not, have to base part of my report on that. Reason why, when report ends, listeners drop dramatically, are here for information I report.

People need this, what majority online want.

Appeal ruling, says someone.

Mulgrew—This is the silliness, election season, wants to challenge ruling of chair that we are doing what we are supposed to do, we are following procedures correctly. ]

My report is not subject to the agenda, what is germaine to business of this union, Appreciate you guys trying to stop membership from getting info they need.

For paras, if we open up collective bargaining now, city will say what do you want to give up to pay them. We’ll say nothing, they’ll say fine, we’re finished. We have to find a way to get around this,

When class size was very popular, people said it had to be number one issue, even if we had to pay. Probably for political reasons. Should teachers and paras pay? Some said yes.

Should all titles give up their raises, which they did. I think all paras should get 10K, should everyone give up?

We are not a union that is stupid. This is the city’s problem. We lose thousands every year. Should workers have to pay for what is management responsibility? Will not continue procedure where we have to give up. All paras need raise, and we’re not gonna pay for it.

Health care—We have big problem. Feds want to diminish Medicare and Social Security. already stated it. Lowering reimbursements for Advantage programs. Current retiree rider costing more and more.

We had retiree election, said we’re getting out of it, but we’d still be in horrible fight. Glad we didn’t do it, never thought government would harm people who worked entire lives for benefits. I am done explaining health care. Will do it because it’s my responsibility. Asks for permanent health care task force for union.

Group of folks, trained, will sit with health care consultants. Complicated mess we have to work and figure out. Have targets on our backs because we have high quality premium free health care. We need experts, willing to sit and be trained, Don’t need agendas brought to table. How do we protect what we have.

Can’t just come from me. I still like what the hell. One thing we are as a union is we;re smart. Info is key. You have to have facts. When people tell me about copays. Two kinds, reduce costs and stop behavior. We raised urgent care prices because people went there for doctor notes. 1200 dollar doctor notes. We don’t want you going to City MD—run by hedge fund. 550-600 visit. everyone else charges 200. We are responsible for costs.

On drugs, we make it clear to you what they are. Pay 35 dollars don’t like it. If someone pays that much it’s the most expensive drugs. Are preferred and generic brands. Asks for permanent health care task force. What is inside health care and what are the difference. I don’t let doctors do all these tests because we have to pay for it.

Big dollar amount, constantly fighting. NY Presbytarian was going to go out of network. Contract done. Now we move to MSK. Will do same. Working actively. City no longer our partner, as they were with de Blasio. Just want to pass costs onto us.

People will say NY Health Act—love idea, love fact that health care should be automatic right, but not willing to turn my health care into system with bunch of holes.

Will be rough. How do we as a union, knowing with all these attacks, have debates without yelling at each other. I know state of politics is to scream, burn house down before compromise. means justifies ends to mislead. I have faith this union is better than that. That’s where we have to go. Will see where world goes January 20th. I will give reports whether you like it or not.

We have enough people from the outside trying to divide us. We shouldn’t be doing their work for them. Would’ve been done ten minutes ago if not for silliness.

LeRoy Barr—Origami workshop, elem. div. collecting unwrapped toys by Friday, Kwanza celebration, Women’s committee, climate and justice. Elem holding pre screeing preschool to prison 1/21 at52. 2025 acad. HS awards applications out. Next DA Jan. 15, and happy holidays.

Questions—

Q—We care about children in our schools at least 17.4K children killed, universities bombed teachers killed, say Israel committing genocide. Numerous unions called for arms embargo, when will we join?

A—We have resolution at national union, was debated last year here, sentiment was main issue was we all have personal feelings, this has to stop immediately, has to be two state solution, and we want nothing to divide us, hope everyone held accountable. We have already debated and passed resolutions, that’s what we’re comfortable with.

Q—Johanna Cruz—When there is an issue with crisis in classroom, behavior, teacher get PD. That’s great, learning to de-escalate, but that seems to be the only answer every single time. response from admin is child hasn’t had incident. If para absent one day, child is unstructured. Brings up tension level. How can we get principals trained, what else can we do besides send teachers to same PD.

A—You’re part of consultation committee, should be part of safety committee/ There is a school removal process. If they choose not to will be reviewed by safety division of NYC school system. Email Jeff Povalitus, will help.

Q—What can principals mandate for OPW—

A—Circular 6. Very popular SBO is teachers adding and removing things. If principal is stupid, talk to Sally Ann Giovanni, need to educate principal.

Q—Danielle Bevolaqua—We’re having issue with implementation of HMH. Using small group for ?. District doing walkthroughs through C6 periods, now teaching period with progress monitoring. Teachers need to preread lessons

A—Talk to DR, bring up with consultation, that is not allowed.

Q—Teachers being trained now.

A—Demand training ahead of time. Learn to use C6 properly. DR can bring to consultation.

Q—District people coming in.

A—Don’t want teachers giving up prep or lunch for this. put on agenda/

Q—Principal has shared docs that attack me, tried to create parallel chapter. What can you do?

A—Will be a lot of people coming in now. That crosses a line. Let’s see what’s going on.

Q—Kelly Agnello—Social worker, gives shot out to CL, As soc. worker, we deal a lot with creating IEPs for hundreds of students. My colleague a psychologist gets case management hours, we do not. Can we fight for those hours for social workers?

A—we have put that across the table. We should call this SESIS rules. DOE had to recognize this. Arbitration important. If workers can’t finish work assigned, we can build a case and open up bargaining. Evaluation numbers very high. We love students coming from all over the world, but there are challenges. We are getting many students, with many needs—dyslexia, autism…will speak to CL, do our work, but won’t stay and do extra work. Perhaps can offer per session from home.

Motions—

Connor Callaghy—next month. Resolution—additional time for special ed, teachers to work on IEPs. Title says it all, is not enough time to write sound IEPs on top of other responsibilities. Cannot be done in 45 minutes. UFT will work to achieve agreement with DOE that special ed. get this for C6, but are still issues. We need more time.

Point of information—Ben Morgenroth—Asks about voting. Are votes of individual members noted or is it anonymous.

A. Not recorded.

?—Rises in support. Proud sp. ed. teacher. Have even more work this year, modifying curriculum. 45 minute period not magical, teachers stay after class. Need more time.

yes 886 no 27 room 297-6 97% passes

Governor Hochul wishes UFT DA happy holidays and new year, thanks us for our work, and shouts out she has signed TRS for all bill.

Great applause.

Thanks political dept. Took six years. Now we have to fix Tier 6.

Resolution—observation for tenured teachers returning from leave—next month

When you sign APPR, based on last year’s observation results. D or I has four observations. If teacher goes on leave, and miss window, get no rating, have to go back to three informal and one formal. Asks UFT advocate for no rating determined based on most recent rating.

Peter Burkhart—Does this include sabbatical?

Mulgrew—Yes.

online 837 yes 31 no in house 290 yes 12 no passes 96%

Resolutions—

Adam Shapiro—Administrators get one remote day every month. Don’t even have to be in building and everything runs fine. Do we think any administrators think about love of children and come in? Same principals prioritize hiring multiple APs. APs assist principals to lighten their workload.

Expectation UFT members prop up system via unpaid labor. Resolve not to accept wage theft and organize around this issue.

Point of info—Resolution for IEP writing during work hours.

Q—Asking for teachers to have a day, or principals not to have a day?

A—Wants principals to adhere to IEP writing during work day. Point is it cannot be done during work day.

Matthew Brown—wishes he could support, but knows it’s not a possible way to not work on IEPs outside day. If not my kids will not get services they need. Want to support but can’t—if we could get hours that would be great.

Mulgrew—Understand the sentiment. Part of the problem used against us.

Point of information—Loves resolution, wants to be clear whether allows for staff to be paid per session if they have to work outside of work day, from home.

Mulgrew—Says we have to fight with DOE over unfair expectations, DOE added steps.

Point of info—agrees however, teachers are threatened and penalized if IEP not done in time frame…

Mulgrew—People document what they do in work day, and outside.

Leo Gordon—calls question.

y 645 n 73 online 252 y 9n question called.

Mulgrew discusses extending meeting with someone for next resolution, says he will call on her.

Reso 694-58 for 257-29 for

Doris Wallace, asks meeting extended for 15 minutes.

506-299 for 186-98 for

Need 2/3 vote. fails. We have two minutes,says Mulgrew.

Bennett Fischer—speaks in favor-no changes to UFT health care without DA approval. Health care matters to all of us, changes bargained without us, we are highest decision making body. We were told they were done deal, done by very smart people. Feels elected members are smartest people and we should set policies. Other very smart people should support this body. Too important to be changed without our consent. Retirees dealing with ramifications we only found out about by accident. Negotiators will need to adjust and listen. Reso requires us to listen, consider and debate changes. Requires confidence that will be rewarded.

Mulgrew talking about time.

LeRoy Barr—Rises to amend. Further resolved, UFT will never agree to force any retired member into MA plan. Was at RTC meeting when it passed. Really about MA. Saying we want to bring it to you. Supports reso and amendment. Objective to maintain premium free, high quality, has been and must be objective. Fight is not over. Still have those who want to take it away, should not fight each other, need to fight those outside.

Mike Sill—amendment—in order to further prevent, UFT will fight for fed legislation against diminishment, permanent task force. Need cadre of experts.

Aqeel Williams calls question.

Mulgrew looks for speaker against, says he is out of order, way past time.

Point of info—LeRoy mentioned amendment, UFT will never force retirees into MA. Wants UFT to never diminish Medigap either.

Mulgrew—Only two amendments at time.

Aqeel Williams—We’re all out of order.

Mulgrew—calling all matters. Once question called, takes precedence.

631-100 for 213-63 for questions called.

First, amendment for committee., fed. leg.—

681-65 for 220-16 passes 88%

Second amend—Mulgrew says goodbye now, will be busy later, UFT will never force anyone into MA.

714-24 yes 254-11 yes passes.

Resolution as amended:

701-22 yes 273-4 no passes 97%.