Yes , thank goodness for Marianne Pizzatola and the NYC retiree group that has been fighting for over 4 yrs now for , the most important issue that every NYC retiree should have ; the right for retirees to keep their Traditional Medicare plus a city supplement health plan. This was a right that was promised to us when we were hired , during our union meetings as employees , and again at consultation’s when we officially retired. And yet , Our former union and mayor have worked together to try and force us into an Advantage, for profit heath plan. Each time the retirees won in court , it was appealed to a higher court by the current mayor. Our union did nothing to support us. I gave up my cope contribution after yr 1 of this fight . I now send monthly contributions to the NYC retiree group. My contribution goes to help pay the lawyers who are fighting for the retiree organization. . . Yes , Marianne is laser focused on this one issue. This has become her passion and a full time volunteer job She holds weekly meetings on internet platforms , updating the group and encouraging everyone to ask questions or voice concerns they may have. All questions , related to the health care issue are welcomed and shared with the group. She organizes rallies , bus trips to Washington and meets with any political leader who is willing to help us. It seems these days everyone is asking for political contributions. . My contributions go to the causes that have my best interests at heart. Hopefully many of us feel the same way.
The last time the UFT endorsed a winning candidate in the mayoral election was in 1989 (Dinkin's). All of the 2025 mayoral candidates with the exception of A. Adams and Mamdani, support saving and protecting the healthcare of NYC municipal workers. They support what Marianne has been fighting for the last four+ years, and put their support in writing.
As far as I know, Adrienne Adams is out of it and no longer a factor. Also, I don't think Eric Adams has ever supported 1096, but feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.
You're correct they want our money. You're also correct they're not interested in our input. Also, though, they're interested in maintaining power, and controlling our health care so as to use it for leverage. And one reason I donate to your organization is because I really do not trust them at all to do right by us.
As most times you are right on target and along with our President Marianna you speak for those of us who believe in the Union ideal and the rights of members. The sister program at DC37 is PEOPLE for all the years of my career at CUNY and throughout my retirement, they have been trying to solicit me to pay into this. I have consistently refused. Guess I’m one of those who believe we should support politicians and causes we believe in, not whom we are told to believe in. I support the organization I freely chose to, NYC org of public service retirees. I support individual political candidates and causes directly. All of my life I have believed one person can make a difference and I still believe that. Thank you for speaking out Arthur just like Marianna does, because the truth is all either of you say.
I couldn’t find the email from Mulgrew last May regarding the survey of mayoral candidates. He referred to it at the DA when the endorsement was made and decried the fact there was very little participation. That’s the kind of pattern I’ve come to understand Unity caucus uses, i.e create the illusion of due diligence. Or maybe the survey was only sent to in service members? Anyone have any information to share?
I received the email, and when I failed to respond, got a second one which I recall answering. However, I've heard from a lot of members they received nothing.
Adrienne Adams is still heading the City Council and refuses to give this bill a hearing. Mayor Adams said he would support the retiree issues. He hasn’t said anything about 1096 as far as I know. He could today if he really believed in our struggle. I don’t trust him, never did. I heard he agreed to dropping out of the race if his numbers were low. He’s got so much garbage on his table, he should slink into the sunset or a jail cell.
Dismissed the charges after a visit to DC and a meeting with Donald. I hear that his federal case is one of the first federal prosecutions in this district court that were dropped against someone where the evidence to convict was overwhelming. And they say that a presidential administration has no sway over what the DOJ does.
Constitutional Conventions are voted on every 20 years so the next referendum to have one will be 2037. Since COPE is voluntary, you can start and stop it whenever and as often as you like.
I'm pretty sure people could voluntarily contribute to the cause some other way, if they were so inclined. Hopefully Unity can be stopped well before that.
Arthur, Arthur, Arthur.... You have been my guide in many matters with your thoughtful posts. But you made a statement the other day that really hurt me to my core. Although you did not mention me by name, I don't even know if you know me, but you described me or many people like me. I was on one of the retiree sites, not the one run by Marianne, where I was mulling over leaving the union and pulling my dues. I've been incensed by all sorts of union shenanigans and have come to feel that I can't relate to them at all. But I needed to know what I was going to lose if I did that. You seemed to be offended by that, like I was being greedy and selfish and disloyal and bringing the decision down to what do I get for my money? Yes, I've always been strategic about money, which brings me to why I have it. But I am loyal. Feel free to ask Marianne how much I give every month (automatically deducted). Personally, I will never go on Medicare Advantage, because I can afford whatever supplement I need. I fight because it is the right thing to do, and to help others, as well as myself. Marianne has saved me thousands in money not spent on my own supplement and I can't thank her enough.
BTW, I stopped COPE about a couple of years ago having decided that I was literally funding my own demise, due to the Medicare Advantage debacle. Arthur, you remain one of the smartest guys in any room and I will always read your words with an open mind. I just felt I needed to say something.
You're right, Pamela. I don't know you, and I didn't have you in mind. I don't believe in walking out on union, though. As bad as our leadership is, I know where we would be without it. I've met charter teachers and spoken about how they had to go do home visits, about how they had to take phones home and answer calls at night, about how their jobs precluded personal lives. I've visited teachers in states where there was no collective bargaining, and I've seen what it's like to work without the possibility of tenure. I've met government workers from other states who had health insurance that did not extend to their immediate families. So while I oppose what our leadership does, and while I'll fight as hard as I can to defeat them, I fully understand what our lives would be like without union. And make no mistake, the Janus decision was one step in a deliberate effort to move us back there.
You have to do what's right for you. If you're a retiree, it's not quite as bad. I was thinking of an active member. But if you leave, you won't have a vote. For me, were I not part of UFT, I'd have no right to put myself out there as a union critic. I really do believe in voting every chance I get, and if I give up my vote, that's on me.
here's some good questions, I think: when would the next vote about a state constitutional convention be? couldn't retirees stop cope until the uft actually DOES something to protect their earned and promised traditional medicare with medigap, rather than it just saying some vague stuff about caring and doing something down tge line if necessary? and then couldn't retirees reinstitute their cope payments ahead of the political fight to stop that state constitutional convention?
Yes , thank goodness for Marianne Pizzatola and the NYC retiree group that has been fighting for over 4 yrs now for , the most important issue that every NYC retiree should have ; the right for retirees to keep their Traditional Medicare plus a city supplement health plan. This was a right that was promised to us when we were hired , during our union meetings as employees , and again at consultation’s when we officially retired. And yet , Our former union and mayor have worked together to try and force us into an Advantage, for profit heath plan. Each time the retirees won in court , it was appealed to a higher court by the current mayor. Our union did nothing to support us. I gave up my cope contribution after yr 1 of this fight . I now send monthly contributions to the NYC retiree group. My contribution goes to help pay the lawyers who are fighting for the retiree organization. . . Yes , Marianne is laser focused on this one issue. This has become her passion and a full time volunteer job She holds weekly meetings on internet platforms , updating the group and encouraging everyone to ask questions or voice concerns they may have. All questions , related to the health care issue are welcomed and shared with the group. She organizes rallies , bus trips to Washington and meets with any political leader who is willing to help us. It seems these days everyone is asking for political contributions. . My contributions go to the causes that have my best interests at heart. Hopefully many of us feel the same way.
Couldn't agree more. And because she successfully advocates for us and they don't, they target her with outlandish attacks.
The last time the UFT endorsed a winning candidate in the mayoral election was in 1989 (Dinkin's). All of the 2025 mayoral candidates with the exception of A. Adams and Mamdani, support saving and protecting the healthcare of NYC municipal workers. They support what Marianne has been fighting for the last four+ years, and put their support in writing.
(https://retiredlaborstrong.nyc/retiree-candidates ) Only putting bill 1096 into law will carry these promises out and will protect senior healthcare for current and future retirees.
As far as I know, Adrienne Adams is out of it and no longer a factor. Also, I don't think Eric Adams has ever supported 1096, but feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.
Unity just wants your money. They don’t want your opinion on how they use it. We are using it solely to pass our legislation!! City and state
You're correct they want our money. You're also correct they're not interested in our input. Also, though, they're interested in maintaining power, and controlling our health care so as to use it for leverage. And one reason I donate to your organization is because I really do not trust them at all to do right by us.
Ya know, if they just did the right thing, I wouldn’t need to exist.
Nor would I.
Amen my friend.
I love reading your "take" on our situation with UFT & COPE. Thank you Arthur & Marianna P.
Thanks Mea.
As most times you are right on target and along with our President Marianna you speak for those of us who believe in the Union ideal and the rights of members. The sister program at DC37 is PEOPLE for all the years of my career at CUNY and throughout my retirement, they have been trying to solicit me to pay into this. I have consistently refused. Guess I’m one of those who believe we should support politicians and causes we believe in, not whom we are told to believe in. I support the organization I freely chose to, NYC org of public service retirees. I support individual political candidates and causes directly. All of my life I have believed one person can make a difference and I still believe that. Thank you for speaking out Arthur just like Marianna does, because the truth is all either of you say.
Thanks Kathy.
I couldn’t find the email from Mulgrew last May regarding the survey of mayoral candidates. He referred to it at the DA when the endorsement was made and decried the fact there was very little participation. That’s the kind of pattern I’ve come to understand Unity caucus uses, i.e create the illusion of due diligence. Or maybe the survey was only sent to in service members? Anyone have any information to share?
No truer words regarding Unity. "The illusion of due diligence." I'm borrowing that for future conversations.
I received the email, and when I failed to respond, got a second one which I recall answering. However, I've heard from a lot of members they received nothing.
I did not get a first email, nor did I get a follow-up one
Adrienne Adams is still heading the City Council and refuses to give this bill a hearing. Mayor Adams said he would support the retiree issues. He hasn’t said anything about 1096 as far as I know. He could today if he really believed in our struggle. I don’t trust him, never did. I heard he agreed to dropping out of the race if his numbers were low. He’s got so much garbage on his table, he should slink into the sunset or a jail cell.
Trump could instruct him to drop out, I suppose, to enable Cuomo against Mamdani. But I believe a judge dismissed the charges against him.
Dismissed the charges after a visit to DC and a meeting with Donald. I hear that his federal case is one of the first federal prosecutions in this district court that were dropped against someone where the evidence to convict was overwhelming. And they say that a presidential administration has no sway over what the DOJ does.
Some leaders don't much care for rules, convention or ethics. I'm thinking of three right now.
Constitutional Conventions are voted on every 20 years so the next referendum to have one will be 2037. Since COPE is voluntary, you can start and stop it whenever and as often as you like.
I'm pretty sure people could voluntarily contribute to the cause some other way, if they were so inclined. Hopefully Unity can be stopped well before that.
I was just trying to put out options for people...options are always good
thanks
Arthur, Arthur, Arthur.... You have been my guide in many matters with your thoughtful posts. But you made a statement the other day that really hurt me to my core. Although you did not mention me by name, I don't even know if you know me, but you described me or many people like me. I was on one of the retiree sites, not the one run by Marianne, where I was mulling over leaving the union and pulling my dues. I've been incensed by all sorts of union shenanigans and have come to feel that I can't relate to them at all. But I needed to know what I was going to lose if I did that. You seemed to be offended by that, like I was being greedy and selfish and disloyal and bringing the decision down to what do I get for my money? Yes, I've always been strategic about money, which brings me to why I have it. But I am loyal. Feel free to ask Marianne how much I give every month (automatically deducted). Personally, I will never go on Medicare Advantage, because I can afford whatever supplement I need. I fight because it is the right thing to do, and to help others, as well as myself. Marianne has saved me thousands in money not spent on my own supplement and I can't thank her enough.
BTW, I stopped COPE about a couple of years ago having decided that I was literally funding my own demise, due to the Medicare Advantage debacle. Arthur, you remain one of the smartest guys in any room and I will always read your words with an open mind. I just felt I needed to say something.
You're right, Pamela. I don't know you, and I didn't have you in mind. I don't believe in walking out on union, though. As bad as our leadership is, I know where we would be without it. I've met charter teachers and spoken about how they had to go do home visits, about how they had to take phones home and answer calls at night, about how their jobs precluded personal lives. I've visited teachers in states where there was no collective bargaining, and I've seen what it's like to work without the possibility of tenure. I've met government workers from other states who had health insurance that did not extend to their immediate families. So while I oppose what our leadership does, and while I'll fight as hard as I can to defeat them, I fully understand what our lives would be like without union. And make no mistake, the Janus decision was one step in a deliberate effort to move us back there.
Fair enough. I still haven't left officially and perhaps doing nothing is also a decision. I will continue to ponder the matter.
You have to do what's right for you. If you're a retiree, it's not quite as bad. I was thinking of an active member. But if you leave, you won't have a vote. For me, were I not part of UFT, I'd have no right to put myself out there as a union critic. I really do believe in voting every chance I get, and if I give up my vote, that's on me.
here's some good questions, I think: when would the next vote about a state constitutional convention be? couldn't retirees stop cope until the uft actually DOES something to protect their earned and promised traditional medicare with medigap, rather than it just saying some vague stuff about caring and doing something down tge line if necessary? and then couldn't retirees reinstitute their cope payments ahead of the political fight to stop that state constitutional convention?
Paul answered your question above.
thanks...