...the good news is, the UFT-endorsed candidate in a mayoral race hasn't won since 1989.
Given the abysmal turnout in the UFT elections, given that the UFT power base (the retirees) mostly resides in Florida and can't vote in a NYC election, and given that many teachers in the UFT couldn't care a whit who Mikey Mulgrew wants them to vote for in September, I don't think this endorsement helps Thompson all that much outside of the extra cash the UFT brings.
That's my initial take - what's yours?
BTW, I was between Liu and de Blasio.
I know Liu, hammered by the campaign finance scandal that was ginned up by Bloomberg's US attorney pal, couldn't actually win the race.
But like Chaz, I thought he would be the best.
But I could have lived with de Blasio too.
Thompson?
Not so much.
I just can't suport a guy who is supported by Al D'amato, Merryl Tisch, and Randi Weingarten.
I agree with you post 100%. The fact is the UFT can't rally anybody to get off their asses these days. An official endorsement will not sway the primary or the general election as the proof is in the pudding the majority of NYC UFT residents do not seem to care enough to vote. I do not live in the 5 boroughs. However, if I did, I would vote for Liu in a heartbeat as he is the only candidate that has been 100% upfront in his support for teachers and the teaching profession in NYC. (He is also the only candidate who says he will rightfully agree to pattern payments for the municipal unions) Folks should always vote for who they believe in, not who they think "might" win.
ReplyDeleteCould not have said it better. I am a NYC educator and do not live in the city, however many of my family members are union workers and we (they) vote in bloc...we like Liu as well and will vote for him.
DeleteGlad to hear it. If Mikey Mulgrew and Randi Weingarten and Al D'amato and Merryl Tisch all want Thompson, you know there is something really wrong with Thompson.
DeleteI agree with you, RBE and also with the first Anon.
ReplyDeleteSince none of the mayoral candidates have said what they plan to do about the people stuck in the ATR pool, I still haven't chosen who I will vote for.
ReplyDeleteYep, none of the candidates have mentioned a word about the ATRs. However, Liu is the only candidate that has said that he will at least guarantee us a raise that is matched with what the rest of the municipal unions received a few years back. It does not look likely that any democratic candidate will try to wholesale fire all the the ATR's. So, best bet is to stay in the ATR pool and at least get a well deserved raise. (However, as an old school NYC teacher, I think that all ATR teachers should at least send out a few resumes and interview via the sham open market to try and land an appointment) No veteran teacher should work as a wanderer for a living. Just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteI think Liu would be best for the ATR's.
DeleteThe others will throw the ATR's under the bus and let Mikey Mulgrew drive over them.
Lhota will use a train.
I'm somewhat suspicious, and jaded, on how the UFT decides on certain political agenda and how they defend certain education reform issues. I wonder if by endorsing Thompson, the UFT had made a back room done deal where a small raise with some givebacks is in the next presentation.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this endorsement also protects Mulgrew's sister's $$$$ contract with the city.
I still can't figure out why Thompson. He favors many of the education deforms that DFER, Tisch, King, Gates, Obama, Duncan, and the other 1% impose on public schools.
Here's a suggestion for all the rank and file. If Thompson decides to follow suit with all the status quo of the Bloomberg administration and teachers do not get a raise that's covers the 4 years with an expired contract and he ties an insignificant raise with givebacks, then withdraw your COPE and let’s have a massive protest at each and every borough office. Demand that there be no double-pension for those in the UFT office until teachers get an entitled, respectable raise.
But, I’ve learned that the members do not read many of the issues happening in the union. In fact, I spoke to teachers at the regents scoring site who do not know the UFT’s president’s name. These members are too busy with life to worry about politics.
It is the nature of the beast for many of the members to be guided to the slaughterhouse and not know why.
Some good points - may use this for a post.
DeleteSooooo truel The saddest thing is the mayoral election is just small potatoes to the big picture. All the apathetic NYC UFT teachers who did not vote in the last union election are going to be in the shock of their lives when the new evaluations go through. Teachers will be sweating bullets, doing soooo much extra paperwork to justify their teaching and they will still stand a chance of being rating "ineffective". Remember to thank Mike Mulgrew/The UFT and the NYSUT for agreeing to Race to the Top which got us all in the big mess come next year.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Getting rid of these Unity/New Action/Vichy slugs would have gone a long way toward making a real change.
DeleteIt is doubtful that swaths of teachers are going to be rated ineffective with these new evaluations. The process is so complex and dense with a tome or rules exceeding 100 pages. I am sure the entire process is going to be swamped with grievances. Principals have to observe each teacher up to 6 times? And only between Oct. and May? How is that ever going to be done. This entire evaluation process is going to go down fast and furious. What we have here is a dog running in a circle chasing his tail. A lot energy resulting in nothing.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you're right.
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