Unity Punishes Competence

And promotes mediocrity, directly hurting rank and file

UFT Unity has priorities. Alas, their ostensible job, serving the members, is not among them. If it were, why would they be getting rid of David Kazansky? Kazansky is a pension trustee, and a very effective advocate. I know this firsthand, because when I’ve had questions, he’s listened, done research, and come back with accurate answers. This placed him in stark contrast with multiple UFT Unity employees who’ve stated whatever passed through their minds that moment and hoped for the best.

Kazansky has been snatched up by AFT. Evidently someone there recognizes his ability and wishes to put it to use. So our loss is their gain. Why wasn’t Kazansky put up for re-election?

That’s pretty simple, actually. There are several UFT reps from District 11 in the Bronx. There’s Kazansky, headed for AFT, Amy Arundell, now sorting paper clips over at 52, maybe, and Paul Egan, now (gasp!) actually working in a classroom as a teacher. My gosh, what a sorry fate! (Not even sent to do nothing over at HQ,)

So there’s that whole guilt by association thing. We don’t know what Arundell is supposed to have done, because our Great Leader has determined it’s none of our damn business. We don’t know what Kazansky has done, because it’s also none of our damn business. At least they leaked a story to the press about Egan, whether or not it’s true. Given the Unity track record, I have serious doubts. I believe he did little or nothing, and Mulgrew needed to rationalize firing someone. (In fact, Mulgrew’s been accused of worse in the press, with no consequence whatsoever.)

Who’s the best person to serve us in the pension department? Clearly it’s Kazansky. He has years of experience. I’ve seen him run workshops. I’ve had members go to him personally. One thing I’ve learned, with 12 years as CL of the largest school in Queens, is it makes a big difference who you speak to at UFT. For pension matters, Kazansky was my first choice.

Who’s the next-best person? For my money, it’s Frank Panebianco. Panebianco has 12 years experience. He’s knowledgeable and approachable. Also, for people like me who are not great with numbers, let alone money, he puts things in terms that are easily comprehensible. I first saw him at Francis Lewis, addressing our paraprofessionals. He explained their retirement options in such a way that it was clear to me, and I was thus assured it was clear to all.

I invited Panebianco to address our full staff several times afterward. He pulled a good crowd, and I got compliments for weeks afterward. I know several members, myself included, contacted him via email with further questions. Feedback from his visits largely entailed, “Hey, bring that guy back.”

Panebianco, with 12 years experience, is the logical successor. I hear he’s being put forth as an alternate to Christine McGrath, who has a whopping two years experience as UFT pension consultant. I also hear he’s been put forth as the alternate to all the trustee candidates that have run over the last ten years.

So why is UFT Unity putting up a benchwarmer as opposed to the candidate who can most help members? Why is Panebianco always the bridesmaid and never the bride? Well, as you may have guessed, it turns out Panebianco also comes from District 11. He’s friendly not only with Kazansky, but also with Arundell, Egan, and displaced para rep Hector Ruiz, none of whom are in the good graces of His Highness, Michael Mulgrew.

As Mulgrew sits around doing Whatever It Is he does in the well-appointed office our dues pay for, he likely agonizes over who is most loyal to him. As far as I know, neither Arundell, Egan, Kazansky, Ruiz, or Panebianco have openly uttered a disparaging word about Mulgrew. But that’s not enough, evidently.

Who cares if Amy Arundell ran the Queens office worlds better than I’ve ever seen it run before? Who cares if Kazansky did a great job repping the members? So what if Ruiz ran all over the city helping paraprofessionals (in stark contrast with some)? What does it matter if Frank Panebianco is the only person with sufficient experience to replace Kazansky?

The important thing, evidently, is not how effectively members are served. The important thing is who is the most obsequious sycophant for Michael Mulgrew. Who will stand up and say, “Michael, it was a fantastic idea to give over half of our health stabilization fund to the city”? Who will say, “Michael, it was inspirational when you promised to give the city 600 million dollars a year, forever, in exchange for a three year contract that may or may not have met inflation”?

Whether or not members are well-served is neither here nor there.

This notwithstanding, for the first time in my memory, we will have an actual choice. Opposition will run Ben Morgenroth, a working AP Calculus teacher with extensive business experience and pension knowledge. (You’ll soon get chapter and verse on this.) This will be an opportunity to elect someone who will serve members, as opposed to worshipping Mulgrew.

If you’re a member of TRS, you’ll have a chance to vote in your school. It’ll be down to this—if you want Mulgrew to be more assiduously adored, vote for his pick. If you want to be represented, choose Morgenroth.