About the proposal to continue the hybrid DA: in the 24 hours between us receiving it and the DA, I posted a question about what it meant on the Joint In-service and Retiree WhatsApp group chat. An In-service DA member explained it passed last spring (as it has in previous years) and Unity sends it out before each DA, some kind of reminder. Read what it says at the bottom carefully. It was not for us to consider. The in-service DA members know things we don't.
Thanks. I've posted a correction. I was happy when you called the question the other night. I'm often not happy when people do that, but this was an exception.
Wasn’t the first person Mulgrew pointed to, who asked for the UFT lawsuit in NY State court(s) to be dropped? In other words, stop litigating to impose Advantage. A motion to call for a vote, I believe, that Mulgrew shot down, then pointed to another, possibly friendlier hand up. I wanted to stand up, scream, but we had all been stupored by his over amplified 1-hour-20-minutes of info. And self promo.
Yes, Mulgrew pointed to a person who asked that. I don't recall his getting to a motion, and I believe it was during the question period anyway. What I do recall is Mulgrew answering for quite a while, and allowing the questioner no follow up whatsoever. Mulgrew was spouting incorrect information. Now I can't read his mind. I don't know whether he's poorly informed, lying, or simply repeating what his Very Smart People instructed him to say. Regardless, he sold us out and broadcasted his intention to do nothing whatsoever to preclude the city law suit. This DA was clearly designed to preclude member participation. I understand your frustration.
Oh wow, where do we even begin with this dumpster fire of an article? It’s like someone woke up, decided to complain for the sake of it, and threw together some half-baked drivel. The opposition really thinks they’ve got some deep, groundbreaking points, but let’s be real—they’re just tossing words at the wall, hoping something sticks. Meanwhile, Unity, the real adults in the room, are out here doing actual work, not playing make-believe chess games in the classroom. But yeah, sure, let’s pretend that a cute little anecdote about a student is the same as running a union with thousands of members. Genius.
The writer claims Unity is “fossilized.” Yeah, okay. That’s like saying the sun is cold because you touched ice once. Makes total sense. Unity, with their years of experience, must be doing something right, but no, let’s take advice from people who probably struggle to send a coherent email. They’re so “out of touch” that they’ve been the ones negotiating contracts, securing benefits, and, I don’t know, keeping the whole thing running while the opposition is busy crafting their next 10-point plan to nowhere. But sure, Unity is the problem. Absolutely.
And Mulgrew? Oh, the horror, he’s in “campaign mode.” News flash—campaigns happen during elections. Shocking! Maybe if the opposition could organize something more effective than a kindergarten talent show, they’d know what it takes to run a union. But no, it’s easier to sit on the sidelines and throw tantrums about how unfair it all is. I bet the next complaint will be about how Mulgrew doesn’t offer them milk and cookies before the Delegate Assembly. Poor babies.
The author whines about filibustering. Really? That’s like saying the rain is wet. Leaders talk. It’s what they do. Mulgrew was giving updates, something you do when you run things. But I guess if you’ve never actually led anything, you wouldn’t understand. Sorry, opposition, but ranting on a blog isn’t the same as leading a union. Keep shouting into the void though, maybe someone will care one day.
And don’t even get me started on the COLA proposal. The opposition acts like Unity can just snap their fingers and magically fix everything. Here’s a little secret: it doesn’t work like that. Shocking, I know! But of course, the opposition doesn’t grasp this because they live in some fantasy world where issues are solved by throwing a tantrum and yelling loud enough. Sorry, but no, this isn’t a reality TV show where the loudest person wins. It’s called strategy, something you wouldn’t know if it walked up and smacked you in the face.
The best part, though, has to be the nonsense about Unity employees “campaigning on the clock.” Hilarious! What do they think Unity does all day? Play solitaire? Of course, they’re campaigning—they’re showing all the things they’ve done for the union. But I guess the opposition is so used to doing nothing, they assume everyone else is too. Maybe if they spent less time whining and more time actually working, they’d have something to show for it. But nope, here we are.
And the calendar thing? Wow. Just wow. The opposition is really reaching here, trying to act like Unity “ignored” a date. Yeah, because clearly, the most pressing issue facing the union is one day on a calendar. Let’s ignore everything else—contracts, benefits, negotiations—and focus on December 23rd. Brilliant strategy, folks. Keep focusing on the tiny stuff while Unity handles the actual work. Real smart.
In conclusion, this article is just a mess—no real points, no solutions, just lots of whining and finger-pointing. Meanwhile, Unity is running the show, and the opposition is throwing a fit because they’re stuck on the sidelines. It’s like watching toddlers cry because they didn’t get picked for the team. Maybe grow up, learn how to lead, and then we can talk. Until then, Unity will keep doing the real work while you all fumble around looking for the exit sign.
Real or fake name, I concur with Herman Banks and say “ditto”.
It is not proper to lump every hard-working unionist who belongs to the Unity Caucus as though we are all mindless lemmings. Arthur, your generalizations, finger pointing and OPINIONS are divisive. In a country where union animas is growing, we need to strengthen our union by focusing on priorities. Please stop harping on old news. I know some people need better healthcare coverage than what they have - many Americans do. I, for one, am thrilled with what I have with Medicare and SHIP. Can aspects be better? Sure. But in a country where, if elected, Trump vows to dismantle the Department of Education, I think we have greater concerns at the moment. Please consider uniting on common ground.
Union animas grows when failed leadership claws back benefits earned by its union retirees- then sustains attacks for defending their union earned benefits. But hey. What do I know. I only won 9 court wins and 2 unanimous appeals cases defending what the unity leadership did to 250,000 retirees and their families - while protecting a federal public health benefit from being privatized.
You can’t argue against privatization of public education/charter schools and out the other side of your mouth privatize public health.
And BTW- Medicare advantage is the default plan in project 2025. Unity was implementing their playbook for them 🤦🏽♀️
Arthur and Marianne it seems to me that in these drivel called responses to Union Matters accurate and truthful information have struck the fear gene in Unity’s diehard sponges soaking in the lies they have been fed by Mulgrew and his fans. How blind some are once they are awestruck that some leaders charm them with. I for one am not charmed by you or by Marianne, instead you both have let me see clearly with open 20/20 vision what harm Union leadership has caused the rank and file by siding with City Administrators against us! By choosing to use ALL retirees as their original BETA group for forced Medicare Advantage plans that only benefit private insurance companies who in turn provide the cover up blanket to hide whatever mishandling of funds both the City and Union heads participated. How dare these respondents try to present a false narrative against the FACTS Marianne and you research so that ALL Public Service Employees are fully informed.
The audacity of them to continue their inaccurate assessments of the actual truth. They are the ones blind to the facts. It amazes me how many teachers, other public service employees and fellow Union leaders as well as certain NYC Council members refuse to see the fallacy of their own decisions to be selfish in their choice to believe in those current power positions in order to keep an extra amount of dollars in their pockets. Instead they should be focused on their futures when they will be in the shoes if current retirees who are currently fighting for promises given promises kept in order to survive the current atmosphere of economic decline especially for Seniors who need affordable healthcare that has protected them for generations.
Additional fact #1. The promise on the federal level to keep traditional Medicare under Social Security which all TAXPAYERS have contributed to in a career long income tax deduction and still pay for out of a Social Security payment which is never fully reimbursed because the Medical deductible is required for all healthcare coverage of Medicare recipients which cost as much as any so-called reimbursement, therefore that money is a wash.
But guess who will get that money if MA plans are forced on us(?)…private health insurance company’s CEOS. So instead of every employee who pays into Social Security through payroll deduction taxes from their earned salaries, and then collect Social Security, and sign up for traditional Medicare silently agree to let the deductible they are required to pay WHICH allows any left over funds NOT paid to doctors and hospitals become recycled to cover FUTURE retirees getting Social Security and Medicare, instead of lining the pockets of private insurance company CEO’s with employees hard earned money! My choice is to gladly allow any additional funds to go back to Medicare to protect future generations of employees which might include my children, grandchildren, friends and other family members I care about.
Additional Fact no. 2: A CHOICE of a supplemental insurance coverage that covers 20% that traditional Medicare does not cover was promised to me and my colleagues who retired at that time under a certain ratified contract. The Union agreed to that as did the Council, Mayor and MLC. It was understood by all involved in that promise that all future retirees would have that same choice so no harm would come to any public service employee. The CURRENT Mayor and Union Leaders for whatever nefarious reasons concurred to harm RETIREES Only by making them a BETA for their own plans to benefit from MA health coverage.
IF it worked all rank and file would then be forced into MA plans.
Well the retirees stood up for themselves and weaponized by self paid for attorneys, facts and truth they took the battle to courts to say hell no! And they won in court because they were just and the retirees backed their fights with evidence and truth.
How is that a reality check for you protectors of Union Leaders and Political Administrators?
A personal note on the side because this is a PERSONAL ONLY response to the rhetoric I read from other responses here by two haters, check your knowledge base before stating like puppets the untruths from Mulgrew, Garrido, Adams and other like them. I am directly involved in the plight of ALL PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES. And that 2025 BS HAS no factual basis in any candidates’ agenda. If you want a correct referral number, read Agenda 47 which are a candidate’s intentions IF approved by Congress!
Thanks Kathy. We will keep fighting to protect our health care, together. My feeling is Unity simply underestimated our resolve. Things are changing and it's scary for them. Still, it boggles my mind that leadership won't simply fix their mistake.
Well Margaret and Hakeem, when you’re making over $100k and not recognizing us retirees who have PENSIONS of under $35k risk being forced into managed care and paying copays beginning in January because of a decision by your leader to give YOU a raise- I have a problem with that. And so should you. You are entitled to a raise, but it shouldn’t be on the back of retired union workers.
Open your eyes. You’ve been lied to by YOUR leadership.
There's a famous quote--“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” ~Upton Sinclair. Of course, that applies to women as well. What we have here is some coward, afraid to identify himself, writing a long screed full of juvenile insults and stereotypes. Crass, rude, and utterly indifferent to those of us battling to retain our healh care.
We then hear from a clearly more refined voice, but the first thing that voice does is rubber stamp all those juvenile insults and stereotypes. So really, there's no difference at all. The second voice then goes on to compare battling for health care to opposing unionism. That's what you call a straw man fallacy.
The second voice then completely ignores a retiree upset at facing the loss of her health care, and uses the moment to accuse ME of--stereotyping, which she'd endorsed as fine, as long as it isn't directed against her cult. That may work well for her. Maybe she'll get the coveted promotion to full-time status.
I was not selected for a patronage job. Still, I've been elected to an officer position. Perhaps the first commenter was too, and that would speak volumes as to the sort of people Unity makes officers. Oddly, my officer position comes with no actual responsibilities. I have therefore, created my own job.
My job is exposing the fact that Unity is not representing us. My job is saving our health care. That also entails supporting you, Marianne, and your organization. I therefore support the people who elected me by a two to one margin.
Here's what neither of these commenters do--neither explains the lies Mulgrew told us on Wednesday night. Neither can rationalize having sold us out. Neither can rationalize all the lies their caucus has been telling us for years. So they come here with insults, with logical fallacy, and with anger.
Here's the thing--you and I are here to help retirees. We're here to help rank and file too. Sooner or later, the city will move to dump them into some plan that costs the city 10% less.
And here's one more thing--Unity just lost two big elections. That's never happened before. All they have is that same tired old playbook. We're not buying it anymore, and they are freaking out. I'm old enough to remember what the Nixon White House was like when things were falling apart.
That's exactly what I see in the Unity Caucus right now.
Sounds like you’re the one with sour grapes. You are forced with every post by this blogger to defend a leader who literally put your Retirees and every Retirees in the city life at risk for your raise.
Just think about that for a moment and here you defend him and the caucus that supports that
There’s nothing old news as you have forced tens of thousands of retirees on small pensions because we retired more than 20 years ago to fight for a public health benefit that we earned and paid for so you could increase the cash in your wallet.
And Retirees are no longer in unions, union leader thought it was OK to take was in our wallet and put it in yours
And you still defend that an attack blogger exposing what was done. He’s not sitting on the sideline, he’s actually part of the Retiree party fighting to protect what’s his
At a minimum, at this point, someone within the unity caucus should state, forcing Retirees into Medicare advantage, the privatized alternative to the fall federal public health benefit of Medicare, was and make sure that your caucus leadership does everything they could do to fix that
Right now, they’ve done nothing
An elderly, disabled, 911 responders, widows and widow wars who lost their spouses in the line of duty are fighting for a benefit your caucus leader ship stole
If that’s A badge of honor you’re OK with claiming I’m OK with giving it to you
I would prefer to have you fighting with us on this issue, but that choice is yours. You obviously feel you make enough money that no matter what plan you will be stuck with, you could buy what you want. Just remember top paid city workers who retired in the late 70s and 80s are still alive Top pay in the 70s was 15,000. A 50% pension would have yielded a $7,500 benefit with colas of 1-3% compounded over the decades they are only making $26,600 dollars today
And your leadership tried to screw them. Understand now?
Union animas comes from corporate greed - take Starbucks and Staples for example. When you work as part of the problem rather than part of the solution, you create a wedge which weakens our union. Mudslinging is not a way to solve problems.
Citing fact is not mudslinging. From where I’m sitting you’re the one slinging that mud. Do you suggest that it is morally and ethically acceptable to fight aggressively to take back benefits promised over decades of working careers to those who dedicated their lives to making NYC function? Are you on the Unity patronage payroll? Are you promised two pensions? Would it be ok with you if Mulgrew decided that he wants to use your future pension to fund a pay raise for others? My guess is that you would be vehemently opposed to that and it wouldn’t even affect your access to medical providers. You know what the word scab means when a group is on strike? To me that word could be used for your rhetoric here.
“Unity is completely insular, indifferent and immune to what happens to us lowly commoners. As a lifelong teacher, I encourage and appreciate personal progress. Unity folk, though, are too fossilized to even consider the world out here.” That is mudslinging.
I work part time in the Queens UFT office supporting and representing ALL members assigned to me. AND…even if they are non-members, they receive the guidance they seek. I have one pension for which I am very grateful. I am a Unity member. I am a Pisces and a natural redhead. I am a “lowly commoner” though there is NOTHING common about me. Anything else? Ask me outside this thread.
My take on this article Arthur wrote is that Unity's leadership structure is rotten to the core. It's a fact that the Unity blogs are anonymous and don't allow comments. It's a fact that Mulgrew's claims about Medicare Advantage were proven untrue in a court of law. There are many fine people in Unity, and I count you among them. But there are also individuals in Unity who are not being honest with UFT members, and who place themselves and their interests above us. That's what we need to change.
Hi Arthur, yes I was fired via form email on the last day of summer school -- approximately two weeks after I informed Unity that I no longer wished to be a member of their caucus.
I have a really good resolution for the next time. One sentence. The president's DA message can be no more than a half hour.
That would be good.
About the proposal to continue the hybrid DA: in the 24 hours between us receiving it and the DA, I posted a question about what it meant on the Joint In-service and Retiree WhatsApp group chat. An In-service DA member explained it passed last spring (as it has in previous years) and Unity sends it out before each DA, some kind of reminder. Read what it says at the bottom carefully. It was not for us to consider. The in-service DA members know things we don't.
Thanks. I've posted a correction. I was happy when you called the question the other night. I'm often not happy when people do that, but this was an exception.
What he does is tantamount to Senator Ted Cruz reading Green Eggs and Ham on the senate floor to filibuster 🤦🏽♀️
Wasn’t the first person Mulgrew pointed to, who asked for the UFT lawsuit in NY State court(s) to be dropped? In other words, stop litigating to impose Advantage. A motion to call for a vote, I believe, that Mulgrew shot down, then pointed to another, possibly friendlier hand up. I wanted to stand up, scream, but we had all been stupored by his over amplified 1-hour-20-minutes of info. And self promo.
Yes, Mulgrew pointed to a person who asked that. I don't recall his getting to a motion, and I believe it was during the question period anyway. What I do recall is Mulgrew answering for quite a while, and allowing the questioner no follow up whatsoever. Mulgrew was spouting incorrect information. Now I can't read his mind. I don't know whether he's poorly informed, lying, or simply repeating what his Very Smart People instructed him to say. Regardless, he sold us out and broadcasted his intention to do nothing whatsoever to preclude the city law suit. This DA was clearly designed to preclude member participation. I understand your frustration.
What about next year when Winter Break ends Thursday and people have to come back Friday, Mulgrew knows this but wants to be a hero!
I hadn't heard about that. Sounds like yet another error they made when they got calendars done for three years, their sterling achievement.
Mulgrew knows before Calendar comes out
Oh wow, where do we even begin with this dumpster fire of an article? It’s like someone woke up, decided to complain for the sake of it, and threw together some half-baked drivel. The opposition really thinks they’ve got some deep, groundbreaking points, but let’s be real—they’re just tossing words at the wall, hoping something sticks. Meanwhile, Unity, the real adults in the room, are out here doing actual work, not playing make-believe chess games in the classroom. But yeah, sure, let’s pretend that a cute little anecdote about a student is the same as running a union with thousands of members. Genius.
The writer claims Unity is “fossilized.” Yeah, okay. That’s like saying the sun is cold because you touched ice once. Makes total sense. Unity, with their years of experience, must be doing something right, but no, let’s take advice from people who probably struggle to send a coherent email. They’re so “out of touch” that they’ve been the ones negotiating contracts, securing benefits, and, I don’t know, keeping the whole thing running while the opposition is busy crafting their next 10-point plan to nowhere. But sure, Unity is the problem. Absolutely.
And Mulgrew? Oh, the horror, he’s in “campaign mode.” News flash—campaigns happen during elections. Shocking! Maybe if the opposition could organize something more effective than a kindergarten talent show, they’d know what it takes to run a union. But no, it’s easier to sit on the sidelines and throw tantrums about how unfair it all is. I bet the next complaint will be about how Mulgrew doesn’t offer them milk and cookies before the Delegate Assembly. Poor babies.
The author whines about filibustering. Really? That’s like saying the rain is wet. Leaders talk. It’s what they do. Mulgrew was giving updates, something you do when you run things. But I guess if you’ve never actually led anything, you wouldn’t understand. Sorry, opposition, but ranting on a blog isn’t the same as leading a union. Keep shouting into the void though, maybe someone will care one day.
And don’t even get me started on the COLA proposal. The opposition acts like Unity can just snap their fingers and magically fix everything. Here’s a little secret: it doesn’t work like that. Shocking, I know! But of course, the opposition doesn’t grasp this because they live in some fantasy world where issues are solved by throwing a tantrum and yelling loud enough. Sorry, but no, this isn’t a reality TV show where the loudest person wins. It’s called strategy, something you wouldn’t know if it walked up and smacked you in the face.
The best part, though, has to be the nonsense about Unity employees “campaigning on the clock.” Hilarious! What do they think Unity does all day? Play solitaire? Of course, they’re campaigning—they’re showing all the things they’ve done for the union. But I guess the opposition is so used to doing nothing, they assume everyone else is too. Maybe if they spent less time whining and more time actually working, they’d have something to show for it. But nope, here we are.
And the calendar thing? Wow. Just wow. The opposition is really reaching here, trying to act like Unity “ignored” a date. Yeah, because clearly, the most pressing issue facing the union is one day on a calendar. Let’s ignore everything else—contracts, benefits, negotiations—and focus on December 23rd. Brilliant strategy, folks. Keep focusing on the tiny stuff while Unity handles the actual work. Real smart.
In conclusion, this article is just a mess—no real points, no solutions, just lots of whining and finger-pointing. Meanwhile, Unity is running the show, and the opposition is throwing a fit because they’re stuck on the sidelines. It’s like watching toddlers cry because they didn’t get picked for the team. Maybe grow up, learn how to lead, and then we can talk. Until then, Unity will keep doing the real work while you all fumble around looking for the exit sign.
Seems like you're a little upset. Let me know when you're willing to put your real name to your tough talk.
Real or fake name, I concur with Herman Banks and say “ditto”.
It is not proper to lump every hard-working unionist who belongs to the Unity Caucus as though we are all mindless lemmings. Arthur, your generalizations, finger pointing and OPINIONS are divisive. In a country where union animas is growing, we need to strengthen our union by focusing on priorities. Please stop harping on old news. I know some people need better healthcare coverage than what they have - many Americans do. I, for one, am thrilled with what I have with Medicare and SHIP. Can aspects be better? Sure. But in a country where, if elected, Trump vows to dismantle the Department of Education, I think we have greater concerns at the moment. Please consider uniting on common ground.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I shall continue to share mine.
Union animas grows when failed leadership claws back benefits earned by its union retirees- then sustains attacks for defending their union earned benefits. But hey. What do I know. I only won 9 court wins and 2 unanimous appeals cases defending what the unity leadership did to 250,000 retirees and their families - while protecting a federal public health benefit from being privatized.
You can’t argue against privatization of public education/charter schools and out the other side of your mouth privatize public health.
And BTW- Medicare advantage is the default plan in project 2025. Unity was implementing their playbook for them 🤦🏽♀️
In case you want facts here they are. https://youtu.be/i8P3648mftU?si=CLefsKIfijeInv9H
Thanks Marianne. I sent NYC Retirees $175 yesterday, because you and they are doing the work I pay my union to do.
Arthur and Marianne it seems to me that in these drivel called responses to Union Matters accurate and truthful information have struck the fear gene in Unity’s diehard sponges soaking in the lies they have been fed by Mulgrew and his fans. How blind some are once they are awestruck that some leaders charm them with. I for one am not charmed by you or by Marianne, instead you both have let me see clearly with open 20/20 vision what harm Union leadership has caused the rank and file by siding with City Administrators against us! By choosing to use ALL retirees as their original BETA group for forced Medicare Advantage plans that only benefit private insurance companies who in turn provide the cover up blanket to hide whatever mishandling of funds both the City and Union heads participated. How dare these respondents try to present a false narrative against the FACTS Marianne and you research so that ALL Public Service Employees are fully informed.
The audacity of them to continue their inaccurate assessments of the actual truth. They are the ones blind to the facts. It amazes me how many teachers, other public service employees and fellow Union leaders as well as certain NYC Council members refuse to see the fallacy of their own decisions to be selfish in their choice to believe in those current power positions in order to keep an extra amount of dollars in their pockets. Instead they should be focused on their futures when they will be in the shoes if current retirees who are currently fighting for promises given promises kept in order to survive the current atmosphere of economic decline especially for Seniors who need affordable healthcare that has protected them for generations.
Additional fact #1. The promise on the federal level to keep traditional Medicare under Social Security which all TAXPAYERS have contributed to in a career long income tax deduction and still pay for out of a Social Security payment which is never fully reimbursed because the Medical deductible is required for all healthcare coverage of Medicare recipients which cost as much as any so-called reimbursement, therefore that money is a wash.
But guess who will get that money if MA plans are forced on us(?)…private health insurance company’s CEOS. So instead of every employee who pays into Social Security through payroll deduction taxes from their earned salaries, and then collect Social Security, and sign up for traditional Medicare silently agree to let the deductible they are required to pay WHICH allows any left over funds NOT paid to doctors and hospitals become recycled to cover FUTURE retirees getting Social Security and Medicare, instead of lining the pockets of private insurance company CEO’s with employees hard earned money! My choice is to gladly allow any additional funds to go back to Medicare to protect future generations of employees which might include my children, grandchildren, friends and other family members I care about.
Additional Fact no. 2: A CHOICE of a supplemental insurance coverage that covers 20% that traditional Medicare does not cover was promised to me and my colleagues who retired at that time under a certain ratified contract. The Union agreed to that as did the Council, Mayor and MLC. It was understood by all involved in that promise that all future retirees would have that same choice so no harm would come to any public service employee. The CURRENT Mayor and Union Leaders for whatever nefarious reasons concurred to harm RETIREES Only by making them a BETA for their own plans to benefit from MA health coverage.
IF it worked all rank and file would then be forced into MA plans.
Well the retirees stood up for themselves and weaponized by self paid for attorneys, facts and truth they took the battle to courts to say hell no! And they won in court because they were just and the retirees backed their fights with evidence and truth.
How is that a reality check for you protectors of Union Leaders and Political Administrators?
A personal note on the side because this is a PERSONAL ONLY response to the rhetoric I read from other responses here by two haters, check your knowledge base before stating like puppets the untruths from Mulgrew, Garrido, Adams and other like them. I am directly involved in the plight of ALL PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES. And that 2025 BS HAS no factual basis in any candidates’ agenda. If you want a correct referral number, read Agenda 47 which are a candidate’s intentions IF approved by Congress!
Proud to sign my name for speaking the truth,
Kathy Napoli
Thanks Kathy. We will keep fighting to protect our health care, together. My feeling is Unity simply underestimated our resolve. Things are changing and it's scary for them. Still, it boggles my mind that leadership won't simply fix their mistake.
Well Margaret and Hakeem, when you’re making over $100k and not recognizing us retirees who have PENSIONS of under $35k risk being forced into managed care and paying copays beginning in January because of a decision by your leader to give YOU a raise- I have a problem with that. And so should you. You are entitled to a raise, but it shouldn’t be on the back of retired union workers.
Open your eyes. You’ve been lied to by YOUR leadership.
There's a famous quote--“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” ~Upton Sinclair. Of course, that applies to women as well. What we have here is some coward, afraid to identify himself, writing a long screed full of juvenile insults and stereotypes. Crass, rude, and utterly indifferent to those of us battling to retain our healh care.
We then hear from a clearly more refined voice, but the first thing that voice does is rubber stamp all those juvenile insults and stereotypes. So really, there's no difference at all. The second voice then goes on to compare battling for health care to opposing unionism. That's what you call a straw man fallacy.
The second voice then completely ignores a retiree upset at facing the loss of her health care, and uses the moment to accuse ME of--stereotyping, which she'd endorsed as fine, as long as it isn't directed against her cult. That may work well for her. Maybe she'll get the coveted promotion to full-time status.
I was not selected for a patronage job. Still, I've been elected to an officer position. Perhaps the first commenter was too, and that would speak volumes as to the sort of people Unity makes officers. Oddly, my officer position comes with no actual responsibilities. I have therefore, created my own job.
My job is exposing the fact that Unity is not representing us. My job is saving our health care. That also entails supporting you, Marianne, and your organization. I therefore support the people who elected me by a two to one margin.
Here's what neither of these commenters do--neither explains the lies Mulgrew told us on Wednesday night. Neither can rationalize having sold us out. Neither can rationalize all the lies their caucus has been telling us for years. So they come here with insults, with logical fallacy, and with anger.
Here's the thing--you and I are here to help retirees. We're here to help rank and file too. Sooner or later, the city will move to dump them into some plan that costs the city 10% less.
And here's one more thing--Unity just lost two big elections. That's never happened before. All they have is that same tired old playbook. We're not buying it anymore, and they are freaking out. I'm old enough to remember what the Nixon White House was like when things were falling apart.
That's exactly what I see in the Unity Caucus right now.
Sounds like you’re the one with sour grapes. You are forced with every post by this blogger to defend a leader who literally put your Retirees and every Retirees in the city life at risk for your raise.
Just think about that for a moment and here you defend him and the caucus that supports that
There’s nothing old news as you have forced tens of thousands of retirees on small pensions because we retired more than 20 years ago to fight for a public health benefit that we earned and paid for so you could increase the cash in your wallet.
And Retirees are no longer in unions, union leader thought it was OK to take was in our wallet and put it in yours
And you still defend that an attack blogger exposing what was done. He’s not sitting on the sideline, he’s actually part of the Retiree party fighting to protect what’s his
At a minimum, at this point, someone within the unity caucus should state, forcing Retirees into Medicare advantage, the privatized alternative to the fall federal public health benefit of Medicare, was and make sure that your caucus leadership does everything they could do to fix that
Right now, they’ve done nothing
An elderly, disabled, 911 responders, widows and widow wars who lost their spouses in the line of duty are fighting for a benefit your caucus leader ship stole
If that’s A badge of honor you’re OK with claiming I’m OK with giving it to you
I would prefer to have you fighting with us on this issue, but that choice is yours. You obviously feel you make enough money that no matter what plan you will be stuck with, you could buy what you want. Just remember top paid city workers who retired in the late 70s and 80s are still alive Top pay in the 70s was 15,000. A 50% pension would have yielded a $7,500 benefit with colas of 1-3% compounded over the decades they are only making $26,600 dollars today
And your leadership tried to screw them. Understand now?
Union animas comes from corporate greed - take Starbucks and Staples for example. When you work as part of the problem rather than part of the solution, you create a wedge which weakens our union. Mudslinging is not a way to solve problems.
@margaretnegrelli
Citing fact is not mudslinging. From where I’m sitting you’re the one slinging that mud. Do you suggest that it is morally and ethically acceptable to fight aggressively to take back benefits promised over decades of working careers to those who dedicated their lives to making NYC function? Are you on the Unity patronage payroll? Are you promised two pensions? Would it be ok with you if Mulgrew decided that he wants to use your future pension to fund a pay raise for others? My guess is that you would be vehemently opposed to that and it wouldn’t even affect your access to medical providers. You know what the word scab means when a group is on strike? To me that word could be used for your rhetoric here.
“Unity is completely insular, indifferent and immune to what happens to us lowly commoners. As a lifelong teacher, I encourage and appreciate personal progress. Unity folk, though, are too fossilized to even consider the world out here.” That is mudslinging.
I work part time in the Queens UFT office supporting and representing ALL members assigned to me. AND…even if they are non-members, they receive the guidance they seek. I have one pension for which I am very grateful. I am a Unity member. I am a Pisces and a natural redhead. I am a “lowly commoner” though there is NOTHING common about me. Anything else? Ask me outside this thread.
My take on this article Arthur wrote is that Unity's leadership structure is rotten to the core. It's a fact that the Unity blogs are anonymous and don't allow comments. It's a fact that Mulgrew's claims about Medicare Advantage were proven untrue in a court of law. There are many fine people in Unity, and I count you among them. But there are also individuals in Unity who are not being honest with UFT members, and who place themselves and their interests above us. That's what we need to change.
Didn't you get fired from a UFT job, Chad? Can you remind me why that was?
Hi Arthur, yes I was fired via form email on the last day of summer school -- approximately two weeks after I informed Unity that I no longer wished to be a member of their caucus.