Working in a CSE this summer, I taught many in-service members about our esteemed leader. I referred many to read your blog to get a good institutional history. Most of these youngsters had no idea. I kept saying to them that they would not be young and healthy forever. Additionally, they deserve what we got—a good pension equivalent to mine and government Medicare. I, too, thought I would be young forever, but suddenly, I turned 70 years old, although I was young at heart.
The poorly-researched City and State article/puff-piece mentions Michael Mulgrew earns $356,000 annually for being UFT President, but Mulgrew's compensation could be much higher than that. I wonder if Mulgrew is paid for being Chair of the the UFT Welfare Fund. I also wonder if he is paid for being on the NYSUT Executive Board, and for being an AFT Vice President. It seems unlikely Mulgrew would be doing any of that work pro-bono. Maybe there are other potential revenue streams I'm not thinking of at the moment.
When I first saw that fluff piece, I actually thought it was a parody. As I kept reading it, I began to wonder what planet the writer lives on and why he would write such a piece. Mulgrew doesn't pivot. Nor does he have the retirees best interests at heart. We know how he feels about retiree healthcare. I’ll believe him only when the writer of the article and Mr M enroll in a Medicare advantage plan.
Yes it's ridiculous. Maybe UFT bosses won't cooperate with the press unless they write crap like that. Mulgrew has a lot of money, and unlike most retirees, does not have to worry about whether or not the city supplements his health care, as long promised.
What are you thoughts on us filing a discrimination lawsuit based on gender? The UFT has to be 75% female vs the FDNY, Sanitation and NYPD which are more male dominated. The issue of raises not on par to NYPD, FDNY waiting 8 years for back pay with no interest only to find out that our deferred compensation(retirement medical and in service copayments) were leveraged in the deal. Also, the pension formula harms females more than males as females were more likely to take a child care leave. Since Tier 4 teachers need 30 years for no reduction at 55 in TRS vs NYPD, FDNY 20 years in tier 4 and no age requirement. The female domination UFT has an age and years of service requirement which harms females who take time off to raise children forcing them to work past 55. Also, 25/55 was not offered to teachers on child care leave at that time even though the UFT stated verbally that teachers would be able to join open return. Receiving a per session vs OT hourly raise is another form of discrimination. Can you image the DSNY, FDNY or NYPD working overtime at a rate no way near their actual overtime rate? Comments made by politicians,-teaching is a calling" Union pres-"teachers would want to help students and create things for free to help the students-These comments are made to keep everyone in the mind set that we should just except the inequality that teachers are subjected to in terms of both pay and benefits. I honestly cannot think of another reason other than the UFT being a female dominated union that we are expected to be not treated equally to the FDNY, NYPD, DSNY. So, back to my question-What are you thoughts on us filing a discrimination lawsuit based on gender?
Well I am absolutely not a lawyer, so my opinion isn't worth much regarding lawsuits. The rationale for uniformed workers getting more, if I'm not mistaken, is that they have to buy uniforms. However, they always do better than we do. We have terrible negotiators who put on a big circus with a 500-member negotiating committee that negotiates neither salary nor health care. It's absurd. I'd certainly support a gender-based lawsuit, or anything that helps us, but I have no idea as to its viability.
My inclination is to fault the journalist for failing due diligence. While I can't say who the journalist interviewed, I'm certain he didn't bother to reach out to anyone in opposition. Otherwise the piece would look very different.
Thank you! As for City and State, I will take your word, but I certainly agree they were not thinking about what's really going on. They didn't even appear to be curious.
Thank you Arthur Goldstein for shedding light on Mulgrew and Unity, and keep up the info in the WIRE , we need to share it with all NYC teachers, so hopefully the next generation of teachers will have the passion , such as yourself , that the UNION is all of US NOT Mulgrew or any union boss/leader. I am certain Mulgrew makes more than the 356,000 , with "other" Welfare Fund, Executive Chair a salary from GRADY HS, he technically is suppose to be on DOE Payroll, makes you wonder what other salaries , and pensionS he will be getting. We demand a union that is democratic, fair and just with our members BEST interests not the interests of a few Thank you Arthur keep vibing
Working in a CSE this summer, I taught many in-service members about our esteemed leader. I referred many to read your blog to get a good institutional history. Most of these youngsters had no idea. I kept saying to them that they would not be young and healthy forever. Additionally, they deserve what we got—a good pension equivalent to mine and government Medicare. I, too, thought I would be young forever, but suddenly, I turned 70 years old, although I was young at heart.
Absolutely. And they also need to know there will be changes, NOT for the better, for in-service members and non-Medicare retirees.
The poorly-researched City and State article/puff-piece mentions Michael Mulgrew earns $356,000 annually for being UFT President, but Mulgrew's compensation could be much higher than that. I wonder if Mulgrew is paid for being Chair of the the UFT Welfare Fund. I also wonder if he is paid for being on the NYSUT Executive Board, and for being an AFT Vice President. It seems unlikely Mulgrew would be doing any of that work pro-bono. Maybe there are other potential revenue streams I'm not thinking of at the moment.
Great points. I've wondered about those things too. Some deal these people have worked out for themselves.
When I first saw that fluff piece, I actually thought it was a parody. As I kept reading it, I began to wonder what planet the writer lives on and why he would write such a piece. Mulgrew doesn't pivot. Nor does he have the retirees best interests at heart. We know how he feels about retiree healthcare. I’ll believe him only when the writer of the article and Mr M enroll in a Medicare advantage plan.
Yes it's ridiculous. Maybe UFT bosses won't cooperate with the press unless they write crap like that. Mulgrew has a lot of money, and unlike most retirees, does not have to worry about whether or not the city supplements his health care, as long promised.
What are you thoughts on us filing a discrimination lawsuit based on gender? The UFT has to be 75% female vs the FDNY, Sanitation and NYPD which are more male dominated. The issue of raises not on par to NYPD, FDNY waiting 8 years for back pay with no interest only to find out that our deferred compensation(retirement medical and in service copayments) were leveraged in the deal. Also, the pension formula harms females more than males as females were more likely to take a child care leave. Since Tier 4 teachers need 30 years for no reduction at 55 in TRS vs NYPD, FDNY 20 years in tier 4 and no age requirement. The female domination UFT has an age and years of service requirement which harms females who take time off to raise children forcing them to work past 55. Also, 25/55 was not offered to teachers on child care leave at that time even though the UFT stated verbally that teachers would be able to join open return. Receiving a per session vs OT hourly raise is another form of discrimination. Can you image the DSNY, FDNY or NYPD working overtime at a rate no way near their actual overtime rate? Comments made by politicians,-teaching is a calling" Union pres-"teachers would want to help students and create things for free to help the students-These comments are made to keep everyone in the mind set that we should just except the inequality that teachers are subjected to in terms of both pay and benefits. I honestly cannot think of another reason other than the UFT being a female dominated union that we are expected to be not treated equally to the FDNY, NYPD, DSNY. So, back to my question-What are you thoughts on us filing a discrimination lawsuit based on gender?
Well I am absolutely not a lawyer, so my opinion isn't worth much regarding lawsuits. The rationale for uniformed workers getting more, if I'm not mistaken, is that they have to buy uniforms. However, they always do better than we do. We have terrible negotiators who put on a big circus with a 500-member negotiating committee that negotiates neither salary nor health care. It's absurd. I'd certainly support a gender-based lawsuit, or anything that helps us, but I have no idea as to its viability.
I wonder who provided the “facts” to the media?!
My inclination is to fault the journalist for failing due diligence. While I can't say who the journalist interviewed, I'm certain he didn't bother to reach out to anyone in opposition. Otherwise the piece would look very different.
Thank you for another great post
Joined UFT September 4,1961
Great article by Arthur. City & State often has good articles. They should respond. Maybe they just were not thinking about what is really going on.
Thank you! As for City and State, I will take your word, but I certainly agree they were not thinking about what's really going on. They didn't even appear to be curious.
You inspired my creative muse, it is amazing what can be done with the right tools!
Click on the link and listen to the song in your browser - Enjoy!
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r42uvi1gjgeazh3m85yws/Broken-Trust-in-Health-Care.mp3?rlkey=0fyazkpnk7izaxj0c6yim8tg9&dl=0
Thank you Arthur Goldstein for shedding light on Mulgrew and Unity, and keep up the info in the WIRE , we need to share it with all NYC teachers, so hopefully the next generation of teachers will have the passion , such as yourself , that the UNION is all of US NOT Mulgrew or any union boss/leader. I am certain Mulgrew makes more than the 356,000 , with "other" Welfare Fund, Executive Chair a salary from GRADY HS, he technically is suppose to be on DOE Payroll, makes you wonder what other salaries , and pensionS he will be getting. We demand a union that is democratic, fair and just with our members BEST interests not the interests of a few Thank you Arthur keep vibing
Thanks for your kind words Colleen. Happy you are on our side.