When Is the Best Time to Dump UFT Unity?

There's no question in my mind.

Reading the room is not a UFT Unity strong point. It was pretty clear today that retired teachers was concerned with preserving their Medicare. UFT Retired Chapter Leader Tom Murphy was determined to ignore that at any costs. However, after I ridiculed his outlandish October meeting, he’s been shamed into allowing members to participate (albeit to the least possible extent).

Last month, I complained there was no motion period. This month, there was a notice about motions and how they are to be done at the bottom of the agenda. However, there was still no motion period, so what’s the point? It said the meeting would be from 1-3.

In some ways, it must be great to be Murphy. You call a meeting at one PM, and don’t actually start until 1:07. Well, I’m a teacher, still, two days a week. If I got caught starting seven minutes late, I’d get fired, probably. The thing is it’s my job to be in the classroom. I like my job, though. If kids challenge me, as they do perpetually, I respond. It’s my job to make their voices welcome. Murphy? He doesn’t see us that way, even with whatever fat salary our dues pay him.

Murphy says we’ll bring on a speaker from AFT, but we’ll interrupt him whenever Mulgrew sees fit to show up. As soon as the guy starts to speak, he’s interrupted by Mulgrew, evidently in a car, and no one in the room can hear him. After we waste time on that, Mulgrew says he’ll drop in on the meeting later.

The arrogance here is incredible. Murphy kowtows to Mulgrew like he’s a king. Mulgrew can’t be bothered to actually work member meetings into his busy schedule, because he has much more Important Things. And the Unity faithful, their jobs dependent upon the Supreme Leader, indulge him endlessly. (Imagine not bothering to show up to your class, but rather sending a Zoom image of yourself in a car, one that no one could hear.) I’ll bring you back to the meeting, but I want to give a little background first.

If you check out the UFT Twitter, they’re outraged. How dare Mayor Adams cut school funding by five percent? Now I agree it’s outrageous. However, unlike UFT Unity, I haven’t just made a deal to cut in-service health care by TEN percent. How about a little practice what you preach? I’ve got every right to criticize Adams, and every right to criticize Mulgrew too.

Mulgrew, or whoever writes for him, says “If you support public schools, you need to fund them. That’s as simple as it gets.” Yet he gave away a billion dollars from the health stabilization fund back in 2014, and in 2018 made a deal to give the city 600 million dollars a year, forever. I’d say if you support health care, you need to fund that too. Mulgrew had a different take, which I’ll share a little later.

UFT wrote “Communication is essential for building positive relationships at work. It fosters teamwork and collaboration, and it helps everyone to thrive. But what are the building blocks of good communication?” I’d say one of the first building blocks would be supporting people who do a good job. And yet Amy Arundell, for my money the best member advocate I’ve ever seen, was removed from her job. Why? Mulgrew says it’s none of our damn business.

The hypocrisy of our titular leaders is staggering. Tom Murphy stands on the podium, looking more and more like he’d rather drive a fork through his chest than go through with this sham meeting. As the crowd listens to a guy from AFT say AFT supports Biden, which is not precisely a news flash, people complain. Murphy chides them like they are kindergarteners. Please sit down and respectfully listen to what this guy says. You’ll have your chance for questions.

Yet when someone actually has a question, Murphy interrupts her relentlessly. That’s off topic. That’s not a question. Murphy sarcastically calls her “nice.” The woman wants to know what AFT’s position is on Medicare. The woman says if the whole city gets off of it, the program may be in danger. Murphy snidely says, “Thank you,” over and over again, until some Unity hack finally grabs the mike from her.

Then he brings on the UFT’s new political director, Venecia Wilson. She is charming as she relates a few personal anecdotes. I had expected her to answer the question, but she doesn’t. She then talks about Santos and says the GOP has picked a candidate for his seat, but we’re waiting to hear from the Democrats. Oddly, I heard yesterday the Democrats had picked Tom Suozzi, and a member later brings it up. (It’s a little disconcerting our political director seemed not to know this.)

Murphy takes the podium again. “Thank you for yelling out. That’s very nice of you.” he says, in the most sarcastic voice he can muster. Were he to speak to kids this way, he’d be up on charges for verbal abuse, CR A-421. Murphy seems to want it known he has no respect whatsoever for retirees looking to keep their health care.

A member asks why we support the mayor in appealing our health care, and in instituting copays. Why do we support the mayor in his appeal in our victory? Murphy “will defer to Michael” when he gets here, he says. However, Mulgrew never addresses it.

Mulgrew shows up at 2:15. Says this chapter will work harder than any other chapter. Other people have to go into classroom. Evidently, he assumes we have nothing else to do. He criticizes corporations who want unfettered control. This strikes me as ironic. Mulgrew, despite professing that the Delegate Assembly is the union’s highest decision-making body, opposes the NY Health Act, twice endorsed by the DA. He himself has unfettered control.

Murphy, to his evident dread, has to allow questions. He says there are “lots of health question, or statements posing as questions,” in yet another barb at those of us who want to keep our insurance. Belittling us yet again, he snaps, “Here’s an apt question,” which turns out to be about Tier 6.

Murphy finally allows ONE question on health care to reach Mulgrew’s ears.

Sarah Shapiro—Why are you more concerned with the city’s health than our health? NYS Supreme court found Advantage would cause us irreparable harm. Isn’t that enough of a reason to preserve the coverage we have now?”

Mulgrew—We are at war with the health care industry. We can’t just say no, no, no. We see around the corner with what will happen in the future. We will make sure every member gets the best health care with the same benefits, I know the city’s appealing. Keep hearing the rhetoric and the same lines. Responds “Happy New Year and God bless” to people. I support your right to your opinions. I will give you facts and you have a right to agree or disagree. Moving on to next question.

Mulgrew did not answer the question. He implies we are contrary imbeciles, and suggests he has vision, but offers absolutely no supporting evidence. I’m glad he’s not in my class writing a persuasive essay. (He should be glad too.)

There are a few statements on health and welfare. Notable is this one:

Bennett Fisher—Retiree Advocate had very well attended general meeting. Discussed health care going forward. Discussed health care with UFT other unions, and NYC Retirees, Very happy most recent lawsuit went into our favor. If anybody has interest in learning more about RA, please come see us and sign up.

Murphy tried to interrupt, but Bennett got to complete his statement. There was another speaker, and then Murphy loudly cried, “Meeting Adjourned!” Clearly, there was nothing he wanted in life more than to end this meeting.

And frankly, my retiree friends, the fact that Murphy is loathe to interact with us is a great reason to dump him. Elections are this spring.