Let me share concisely what I said in my remarks today as I think they were important and need to be represented correctly in the minutes. I said that my first District Rep, Tom Dromgoole always told me that he was the last District Rep ELECTED by this chapter leaders. I asked President Mulgrew: Explain how YOU handpicking all district reps is a better democratic structure than us being allowed to ELECT our District leaders.
I then told him that back then there was a lot of talk about going after the "worst principals". I pointed out that David Kazansky, Amy Arundell and all the others were PURGED by Mulgrew without any DUE PROCESS rights. I said that "this is the opposite of what we as a Union stand for. I said to Mulgrew: "Tell me how you are any better than those worst principals who try to do the same?"
And finally I tried to point out that what happened in the men's bathroom with Amy Arundell's picture put into the urinals is one of the most disgusting workplace sexual harassment cases that I have ever heard of. I would like to know the outcome of that investigation besides firing the victim. Until the perpetrator of this disgusting act is found and sanctioned the halls of my Union are stained for me.
But after my experience today of being intimidated by that union brother (I don't know his name) I am not surprised things like that seem to be ok in my own union hall.
I know his name, now, but it's not important. I apologize for not getting your thoughts out more clearly. I type as fast as I can. I'll also tell you that they guy who tried to intimidate you is the same guy who propagated ageist memes in the DA with his bigoted buddies. The Unity-dominated UFT exec. board then applauded him because he spouted some crap about loving his grandma or something. You were very brave to speak up as you did. Mulgrew's response to you was disingenuous and pathetic. I'm proud to be your union brother, and yes, OF COURSE we need a change in leadership.
It is becoming quite frustrating to hear the Taylor law invoked every time the subject of strike comes up. Wearing blue shirts in protest of anything does not send any kind of message to anyone. Aside from that, other options exist—sick outs, refusal to work during lunch and outside of contracted hours, pre and post dismissal demonstrations, etc. All of these, including a general strike, are justified forms of protest against the lawlessness happening in Minnesota, not to mention failure to enforce class size laws, school shootings in other states, etc.
This is not a criticism of you, just general frustration at the lack of action willing to be taken by Unity
The Taylor Law is certainly a thing, but it does not preclude a whole lot of alternate actions. For example, a rally outside of school hours is perfectly acceptable, and also what the person with the resolution asked for. Unity very much did NOT want to commit to a rally, and that's why every single person objecting to it was from the Exec.Board. This was a coordinated and planned response.
Thank you always for your reporting. I was the speaker today who you reference and I would like to clarify why I was extremely uncomfortable this afternoon. For 17 years I have attended DAs. I always sit where I please if there is a free chair. There was an empty row a few rows back from the podium. There were papers on it saying they were reserved for some group. Since there were so many empty chairs I disregarded those signs and sat down with my Delegate. A bit later a female colleague came, saw the empty chairs and we let her in and she sat down next to me. Then the Rep of that chapter who apparently reserved "his" seats came over, claimed those were "his" chairs and made the woman move back to another row. He then came towards me, demanded to see where the paper strips were that he put there. I showed him that I had put them into my bag. He got mad and decided to sit next to me in a way that his body went a couple of inches over his chair and into my space. I had to physically move 3 to 4 inches to still being able to sit. It was an obvious retaliation and intimidation move on his part that I perceived as a bullying tactic. That's why I started my remarks with telling everyone that this was the first time I felt uncomfortable at a DA. After my little remarks and towards the end of the DA at around 6:43 he started saying things that let me to imply that he thought I took "his" seats for racist reasons. I got so offended by his comments that he said just loud enough for me to hear them that I got up and stormed out. Let it also be on the record that immediatley after the conclusion of my remark he got into an altercation with a female UFT member behind him. The lady said twice. "Don't touch me" I have chosen my seat for 17 years where I please if a chair is free. And I will continue to do so. That's what I meant with my opening. Everyone in that DA is equal and everyone is allowed to sit if a chair is empty where they wish - unless Unity gets a resolution PASSED that allows (probably paid) reps to occupy rows that are then untouchable.
Thomas I saw him storm down the row to you. I couldn't hear him, but saw his movements into your space. There were plenty of seats in that row empty . He had no right to say what he did to you. But as Arthur explained, he has been involved with ageist memes. He has taken up time at meetings and wasted precious moments for important business. I applaud you for being so courageous. Your criticisms of the firings and suggestion about electing DRs were on point. Mulgrew was definitely put on the spot and stuttered all over with his disgusting answers. You were definitely the highlight of the evening and demonstrated the kind of discussion we should be having. Bravo!
Thomas when you stood up to speak no one was sure what you were going to say. We assumed you were a person Mulgrew “knew to call on”. Then when the sentences came out we felt relief. You had stated so clearly what we all have been feeling in a union hall that should feel safe at the very least. The feeling of being uncomfortable. And the worst part is we are being made to feel that way by design and from planning. To be bullied, harassed, and hissed at by this union’s leadership and employees makes it so hard to show up. I am grateful for you and for all of us who show up. After what happened to Amy, my former borough rep and so much more, I found very little to stand and clap for while I was still employed there. My own silent resistance or “politics” perhaps Mulgrew calls it, I believe is part of the reason of my firing. What recourse do we have in this country if as union members we cannot make decisions to agree or disagree. Then to sit in a hall and listen to this faux leader say how we have to protect freedom of speech. Mulgrew does not believe in free speech anymore than Trump does not believe Renee Good is not a domestic terrorist. Let Renee’s voice ring loud “I am not mad at you.” I will remember these words to keep my own peace to not move forward in anger. I do wish to move forward with resilience, with empathy, and as an educator always. Again thank you Thomas for your bravery yesterday. This change we want so badly will take every single one of us.
It is remarkable that Unity tolerates that bullying behavior. I was at an Exec. Board meeting. I said something or other to that guy. At the time, I didn't know who he was, but I'm pretty sure he knew who I was. I took him for a weirdo and moved. This is who Unity is.
OSA and Management Benefits Fund also do not include pharmacy benefits, and the one from Local 237 of the Teamsters does not meet the requirements for a plan D. Those are the ones I know about, but I haven't studid oread all the contracts; perhaps someone in your chapter could, or , if you have a representative to CMRO, ythey could bring it up there?
Let me share concisely what I said in my remarks today as I think they were important and need to be represented correctly in the minutes. I said that my first District Rep, Tom Dromgoole always told me that he was the last District Rep ELECTED by this chapter leaders. I asked President Mulgrew: Explain how YOU handpicking all district reps is a better democratic structure than us being allowed to ELECT our District leaders.
I then told him that back then there was a lot of talk about going after the "worst principals". I pointed out that David Kazansky, Amy Arundell and all the others were PURGED by Mulgrew without any DUE PROCESS rights. I said that "this is the opposite of what we as a Union stand for. I said to Mulgrew: "Tell me how you are any better than those worst principals who try to do the same?"
And finally I tried to point out that what happened in the men's bathroom with Amy Arundell's picture put into the urinals is one of the most disgusting workplace sexual harassment cases that I have ever heard of. I would like to know the outcome of that investigation besides firing the victim. Until the perpetrator of this disgusting act is found and sanctioned the halls of my Union are stained for me.
But after my experience today of being intimidated by that union brother (I don't know his name) I am not surprised things like that seem to be ok in my own union hall.
We desperately need change in leadership.
I know his name, now, but it's not important. I apologize for not getting your thoughts out more clearly. I type as fast as I can. I'll also tell you that they guy who tried to intimidate you is the same guy who propagated ageist memes in the DA with his bigoted buddies. The Unity-dominated UFT exec. board then applauded him because he spouted some crap about loving his grandma or something. You were very brave to speak up as you did. Mulgrew's response to you was disingenuous and pathetic. I'm proud to be your union brother, and yes, OF COURSE we need a change in leadership.
I heard how brave you were, Thomas. Thank you for standing up for me and for standing up for what is right. We keep doing this we will make change.
I agree, but we may need to clone Thomas to hasten said change.
It is becoming quite frustrating to hear the Taylor law invoked every time the subject of strike comes up. Wearing blue shirts in protest of anything does not send any kind of message to anyone. Aside from that, other options exist—sick outs, refusal to work during lunch and outside of contracted hours, pre and post dismissal demonstrations, etc. All of these, including a general strike, are justified forms of protest against the lawlessness happening in Minnesota, not to mention failure to enforce class size laws, school shootings in other states, etc.
This is not a criticism of you, just general frustration at the lack of action willing to be taken by Unity
The Taylor Law is certainly a thing, but it does not preclude a whole lot of alternate actions. For example, a rally outside of school hours is perfectly acceptable, and also what the person with the resolution asked for. Unity very much did NOT want to commit to a rally, and that's why every single person objecting to it was from the Exec.Board. This was a coordinated and planned response.
Thank you. I hope we see some future movement on this.
Thank you always for your reporting. I was the speaker today who you reference and I would like to clarify why I was extremely uncomfortable this afternoon. For 17 years I have attended DAs. I always sit where I please if there is a free chair. There was an empty row a few rows back from the podium. There were papers on it saying they were reserved for some group. Since there were so many empty chairs I disregarded those signs and sat down with my Delegate. A bit later a female colleague came, saw the empty chairs and we let her in and she sat down next to me. Then the Rep of that chapter who apparently reserved "his" seats came over, claimed those were "his" chairs and made the woman move back to another row. He then came towards me, demanded to see where the paper strips were that he put there. I showed him that I had put them into my bag. He got mad and decided to sit next to me in a way that his body went a couple of inches over his chair and into my space. I had to physically move 3 to 4 inches to still being able to sit. It was an obvious retaliation and intimidation move on his part that I perceived as a bullying tactic. That's why I started my remarks with telling everyone that this was the first time I felt uncomfortable at a DA. After my little remarks and towards the end of the DA at around 6:43 he started saying things that let me to imply that he thought I took "his" seats for racist reasons. I got so offended by his comments that he said just loud enough for me to hear them that I got up and stormed out. Let it also be on the record that immediatley after the conclusion of my remark he got into an altercation with a female UFT member behind him. The lady said twice. "Don't touch me" I have chosen my seat for 17 years where I please if a chair is free. And I will continue to do so. That's what I meant with my opening. Everyone in that DA is equal and everyone is allowed to sit if a chair is empty where they wish - unless Unity gets a resolution PASSED that allows (probably paid) reps to occupy rows that are then untouchable.
Thomas I saw him storm down the row to you. I couldn't hear him, but saw his movements into your space. There were plenty of seats in that row empty . He had no right to say what he did to you. But as Arthur explained, he has been involved with ageist memes. He has taken up time at meetings and wasted precious moments for important business. I applaud you for being so courageous. Your criticisms of the firings and suggestion about electing DRs were on point. Mulgrew was definitely put on the spot and stuttered all over with his disgusting answers. You were definitely the highlight of the evening and demonstrated the kind of discussion we should be having. Bravo!
Absolutely.
Thomas when you stood up to speak no one was sure what you were going to say. We assumed you were a person Mulgrew “knew to call on”. Then when the sentences came out we felt relief. You had stated so clearly what we all have been feeling in a union hall that should feel safe at the very least. The feeling of being uncomfortable. And the worst part is we are being made to feel that way by design and from planning. To be bullied, harassed, and hissed at by this union’s leadership and employees makes it so hard to show up. I am grateful for you and for all of us who show up. After what happened to Amy, my former borough rep and so much more, I found very little to stand and clap for while I was still employed there. My own silent resistance or “politics” perhaps Mulgrew calls it, I believe is part of the reason of my firing. What recourse do we have in this country if as union members we cannot make decisions to agree or disagree. Then to sit in a hall and listen to this faux leader say how we have to protect freedom of speech. Mulgrew does not believe in free speech anymore than Trump does not believe Renee Good is not a domestic terrorist. Let Renee’s voice ring loud “I am not mad at you.” I will remember these words to keep my own peace to not move forward in anger. I do wish to move forward with resilience, with empathy, and as an educator always. Again thank you Thomas for your bravery yesterday. This change we want so badly will take every single one of us.
It is remarkable that Unity tolerates that bullying behavior. I was at an Exec. Board meeting. I said something or other to that guy. At the time, I didn't know who he was, but I'm pretty sure he knew who I was. I took him for a weirdo and moved. This is who Unity is.
Every time Mulgrew says “OK” it’s a lie
Right?
Leroy Barr is one of the most dishonest members of the UFT hierarchy. It was thanks to him that I resigned from the unity caucus
PS was able to sign petition tonight. Thanks Arthur
Very happy to hear that. Persistence pays off!
OSA and Management Benefits Fund also do not include pharmacy benefits, and the one from Local 237 of the Teamsters does not meet the requirements for a plan D. Those are the ones I know about, but I haven't studid oread all the contracts; perhaps someone in your chapter could, or , if you have a representative to CMRO, ythey could bring it up there?
We do have reps in CMRO, but they're not the ones who make these determinations. That would be Michael Mulgrew and his Patronage Cult.