tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post7732694378152054280..comments2024-02-17T09:15:28.288-05:00Comments on Norm's Notes: UFT Unity Caucus Hack of the Week: Charlie Turnered notes onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-80842912969450710802008-09-27T17:17:00.000-04:002008-09-27T17:17:00.000-04:00I am writing this because the teachers at Tilden w...I am writing this because the teachers at Tilden were misrepresented in the "Blue Devils" comment.<BR/><BR/>The Meeting at Tilden was undeniably useless. But, there was no pathos and as far as I could tell, no angry mob. I think people have no more energy for that. They want more than that. <BR/><BR/>I don't think the "Blue Devils" author is a Tilden teacher. I think he/she is a fake who wrote the comment to make teachers look bad. None of what he/she says happened.<BR/><BR/>Eric Eisenberg read his letter to the UFT explaining that he would rather not go to the Suspension Center because accommodations have been made for him at Tilden to help him raise his TWO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. Since his wife has cancer, providing him with this assistance is especially important as she may not always be able to pitch in. He made no mention about the quality of the students. Anyone who knows Eisenberg knows that he loves kids, period and that he could handle a dragon dressed in teenage clothing.<BR/><BR/>So, I think the author of the comments was told some of what went on by a third party and then made things up and wrote them badly. Why? On behalf of Klein's office? The UFT? I can't believe a teacher wrote that. I just can't.<BR/><BR/>We are ALL SICKENED by the ATR situation and by the rather milquetoast quality of our union. My own therapist began our session yesterday with, "I thought you were catastrophizing, but you're right, you aren't going to have a job." She told me she thinks Weingarten is dreaming that she can fight Klein on this issue. And that's MY THERAPIST. The person who is supposed to make me feel confident.<BR/><BR/>Charlie kind of stood there, told us to write Randi so that we could put a "human face" on the situation and went home. Does she not know that ATR's are human? Does she think they're incompetent the way she felt the people in the Rubber Room were all awful. Or was he just trying to "play the crowd". Who knows? But, the UFT's only card right now is THE CONTRACT. So, he's going to stand there and be a piece of paper. That's what he's got to work with. Can he turn around and lead a riot? Yes, but you know he's not going to do that. Can he call the papers and have them come to Tilden and see what happened? Yes, but he's not going to do that either. Did we ask him to do that?<BR/>Why didn't we? And why can someone get away with putting up a fake comment like that? We all saw Eric Eisenberg read a letter, graciously. How did a comment stay up there that said someone said they didn't want to go to a suspension center because that was not the kind of kid they want to work with?<BR/><BR/>The question is: What do we do in October -- assuming we make it there. I think we'll make it there because there's no legal reason for us not to do so. We can't be forced to give in. We don't have to "make nice" now. <BR/><BR/>It's October 2009 that worries me.<BR/><BR/>When it's not this minute that is worrying me, that is.Rachel Grynberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00174838357649946484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-23128042776738910332008-09-26T12:45:00.000-04:002008-09-26T12:45:00.000-04:00Norman- TOUCHE!!!!!RickNorman- TOUCHE!!!!!<BR/><BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-74178523220479030782008-09-25T17:07:00.000-04:002008-09-25T17:07:00.000-04:00Rick- Please let me know what time will the UFT Pr...Rick- <BR/>Please let me know what time will the UFT Press Conference regarding the ATRS is. I've been waiting for a solution for 3 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-79235101671203924802008-09-25T11:44:00.000-04:002008-09-25T11:44:00.000-04:00Norman-remember what you are stating now regarding...Norman-remember what you are stating now regarding the ATR's. I will and point it out to you when this is resolved. You will be pleasantly surprised. Watch for todays UFT Press Conference regarding the ATR situation.<BR/><BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-32467715349988707892008-09-25T08:58:00.000-04:002008-09-25T08:58:00.000-04:00Rick You know this is never personal. But why you ...Rick<BR/> You know this is never personal. But why you would choose to engage critics of the UFT given the numerous conversations we had over many issues when you had certain "issues" is beyond me? I may be senior but I actually remember some stuff you said.<BR/><BR/>There is a lot of history to rehash. From your critical stance (and not of ed notes) in the summer of 2005 and your turn around in the fall when you recaptured the chapter leadership, your stance on the 2005 contract while attacking ICE in your school, the circumstances surrounding the closing of Lafayette (Randi's saying it should be closed), etc.<BR/><BR/>I can't remain quiet when you defend a body that we both know is very flawed. I know you can't be an open critic as a Unity Caucus member. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, being threatened with being an ATR, a very public stance in defense of the UFT and being critical of critics, just might set you up with a union position that would negate the coming ATRdom. (And don't tell me you have never thought of a UFT position - some of my brains cells are still active.)<BR/><BR/>Sometimes silence it best.ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-18778493874523905622008-09-25T08:43:00.000-04:002008-09-25T08:43:00.000-04:00Norman-I enjoy your ed notes humor and I think you...Norman-I enjoy your ed notes humor and I think your heart is in the right place, as a Senior member of the uft you have earned many members respect. Therefore, I will not engage you in this discussion about the ATR's. I disagree with your opinion,But,I respect your right to voice your opinion. Also, I have never prohibited or discouraged dialogue or publication at Lafayette of opposing views. <BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-16245478600418233542008-09-24T18:24:00.000-04:002008-09-24T18:24:00.000-04:00EDNOTES - You are right the comment about who pays...EDNOTES - You are right the comment about who pays for the ATRs was made by Randy's friend --Rick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-40518276852712150572008-09-24T18:18:00.000-04:002008-09-24T18:18:00.000-04:00Rick, I filed my grievance the correct way. I eve...Rick, I filed my grievance the correct way. I even talked to Randy about it. THE RESULT = ZERO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-58931149401939390842008-09-24T11:34:00.000-04:002008-09-24T11:34:00.000-04:00Norman-How are they treating me better? Do I have ...Norman-How are they treating me better? Do I have a double pension job you constantly refer to? I am still working as a teacher at Lafayette, have been doing so for 26 years. I will be an ATR as soon as Lafayette closes 2010. I do not have an after school PM Staff position. I still choose to work within the current system. They have however, supported my grievances full tilt, as they would for any member if they file and know how to file. Perhaps if there was more factual information to members as opposed to inflamatory rhetoric, maybe members would exercise their contractual rights, then they might feel as I do. I have fought long and hard to protect members at Lafayette, my principles have led to the removal of several unprincipled principles. I hope you are enjoying the lovely weather at the Belle this time of year, Norm <BR/><BR/>Rick MangoneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-20007976868692609202008-09-23T22:59:00.000-04:002008-09-23T22:59:00.000-04:00The claim the schools are paying comes from Unity ...The claim the schools are paying comes from Unity Caucus member Rick Mangone, chapter leader of Lafayette HS.<BR/><BR/>By the way Rick, when you say "I too am deeply concerned but I choose to work within my union and do not take such a cynical view of the leadership" I find it pretty interesting that NOW you are not cynical about the leadership given a whole bunch of conversations we held over the years. It's all about how they started treating you better not any kind of principles of unionism.ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-40801919216853170822008-09-23T22:24:00.000-04:002008-09-23T22:24:00.000-04:00To Ednotes..." I think you are completely WRONG. ...To Ednotes..." I think you are completely WRONG. with this statement..<BR/><BR/>"And this one is even better:<BR/>"By the Way, now the schools are paying for the ATR's not the DOE. This policy went into effect last week."<BR/><BR/>The DOE is still paying for the ATRs. NOt the school. If it were the way you stated, The principal from my new school.. could had requested my change because of my salary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-51392247876627461182008-09-23T22:16:00.000-04:002008-09-23T22:16:00.000-04:00This is my third year as an ATR. I went to jobs f...This is my third year as an ATR. I went to jobs fairs to no avail. When the DOE reorganized my school in Distr. 20 , Marvin Reiskin and many people from the UFT knew and did nothing to help. I grieved it and my grievance was never answered. Where is Randy to put an end to this problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-21778237655492739772008-09-23T17:56:00.000-04:002008-09-23T17:56:00.000-04:00Twenty year people under rule 10 or twenty years o...Twenty year people under rule 10 or twenty years of service? The point is twenty years under appointment..It is a travesty I agree, but, why blame the union?? Did you mean outfoxed or outfixed??I too am deeply concerned but I choose to work within my union and do not take such a cynical view of the leadership. Again, I know that soon the ATR issue will be addressed by the UFT. <BR/>Rick MangoneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-25977812016038862562008-09-23T17:07:00.000-04:002008-09-23T17:07:00.000-04:00"Klein changed the fair funding formula."Gee, Rick..."Klein changed the fair funding formula."<BR/>Gee, Rick, ya think? Any chance this was the plan all along? The UFT didn't anticipate this? Are you saying they were outfixed? I hope you're not calling your esteemed leaders stupid.<BR/> And this one is even better:<BR/> "By the Way, now the schools are paying for the ATR's not the DOE. This policy went into effect last week."<BR/><BR/>I guess you don't hear the comments that this is not about whether they are laid off or not BUT ABOUT 20 YEAR PEOPLE BECOMING SUBS!!!!ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21978939.post-44428099110657886952008-09-23T16:40:00.000-04:002008-09-23T16:40:00.000-04:00The ATR situation is being made worse by misinform...The ATR situation is being made worse by misinformation being spread around. ATR's are receiving full pay and benefits and CANNOT BE FIRED. If anyone is aware of a single ATR who was Fired, please post their name. True, some of the assignments they are given are not in their job description, most at my school Lafayette, want to stay at Lafayette, so far 2 of 17 have been assigned elsewhere, 1 to Rachel Carson another to FDR. As for Excessing/Rule 10, if a teacher is removed from their school building after completing 20 years on appointment, they should grieve immediately. We won 2 such grievances back in June as the DOE wanted to eliminate the English Dept at Lafayette. Both teachers are still at Lafayette. I agree that the UFT has to be more forceful with the DOE on this issue and I anticipate action very soon, bet on it. Let us not make the situation worse for our colleagues, unite yes, but with a practical plan to remedy this problem created by the DOE, blaming the UFT is not fair. Klein changed the fair funding formula. By the Way, now the schools are paying for the ATR's not the DOE. This policy went into effect last week. <BR/>Rick Mangone Chapter Leader<BR/>Lafayette HSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com