What I'd like to see is a discussion of issues rather than personalities and stereotypes. Will that be possible? Lately, when this blog takes a position against UFT leadership, I get responses calling me an egomaniac and comparing my viewpoint with Fox News. I generally delete them, as I do all personal insults to commenters.
On the other hand, if someone has an argument that contradicts mine, feel free to offer it. If it merits a response, if I have one, if the original post has not already addressed it, I'll be happy to answer.
I certainly don't deny this blog represents my point of view. I am not running a news outlet here, and if I were I'd certainly hope to be compensated better than I am for writing the blog.
I'm friendly with a lot of people of differing viewpoints, and I will not attack people for their viewpoints. I will, however, point out viewpoints I deem without merit and support those that make sense to me. For example, I'm not willing to endorse a "growth model" theory untested, with no evidence whatsoever to suggest it's remotely effective.
Ideas are what this election ought to be about. I'm not naive enough to assume it will, having seen many of them. It would be nice, though, to see ideas rather than stereotypes and juvenile insults. I'm not going to label people childish and contrary simply for disagreeing with me.
What do you suppose we'll find in UFT mailboxes this season? Point-counterpoint, or Daffy and Bugs?
Hey! speak for yourself! I'm not in the Unity pocket. I plan on voting for every party. That will keep everyone honest.
ReplyDeleteThe hard part will be explaining all of this to the members
Every party? Keep everyone honest? Like one party is in control as long as the UFT has existed over 60 years, controls every single position of power, uses the dues to support whatever they want without members having a say. Another party sold out and is given a gift of 8 Ex Bd seats in order to divide the opposition. I have to recheck the definition of "honest?"
ReplyDeleteUnder Unity we have lost excessing rights, transfer rights and the six hour and twenty minute day. Teachers are once again patrolling cafeterias and bathrooms. (What can be more degrading?) We have C6 assignments and tutoring; creating a de-facto six period day.
ReplyDeleteThousands of teachers languish in ATR limbo. Tenure is rapidly going the way of the dinosaur. It's time to vote against Unity.
I think the most harming provisions, promoted and supported by Unity, have been the elimination of seniority rule, the open-market, and the Children First Fair Funding, where principals would hire ala cheap.
ReplyDeleteFirst year teachers are immediately hired, and faster if they are TF or TFA, while veteran teachers are rejected and treated by these Leadership Academy Principals as useless, expensive personnel. This is very devastating for those members who want to be in the classroom but looked down by these upper-twenties administrators with very little or no experience.
Another thorn in the members' side is the changing of the UFT constitution, by Randi, to eliminate the election of district reps. Those who want a position in the borough office or in HQs only have to ensure that his/her nose is as brown as possible. If that's not the undermining the democratic process in a union, then throw me in a communist country and allow me to be ruled by that government.
How many members are happy with the provision in the 2005 contract that they don't have to file a grievance when they receive a letter for the file?
What was Unity thinking when they handed over our "winnable" rights to the DoE and made the members "at risk" employees?
This election might be the most defining election in all the 60 years of our union. I can't wait to mail my ballot because I know who deserves my vote.