So Much For Randi Weingarten And The AFT Fighting The Common Core

Norm Scott is at the AFT convention in L.A. - he reports Randi Weingarten and her Unity/UFT minions had the votes to secure their own pro-Common Core resolution but rigged the committee process in order to ensure the Chicago Teachers Union resolution condemning Common Core didn't pass anyway:

Since we were not allowed in, we were watching the Education Issues Committee debate from outside the glass doors. With long lines at the mic, it was clear that Chicago TU people did not have the muscle to win the room over to its anti- common core resolution to counter the Weingarten pro common core - with conditions.

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But just like at home where winning a majority is not enough, the Unity Caucus block voting machine (they model the Hassidic community) which controls the AFT did not leave any stones unturned.

Having experienced Unity tactics in the last 2 conventions, the CTU crew tried to get a step ahead. One of them asked me how much earlier they should get there to gain seats near the mics. "You should have left yesterday," I said.

Well, they got there early enough to get seats at the mics. Seeing the situation, never underestimate the slugs. They just cleared the room to force the CTU people out of their seats and had everyone re-enter, thus allowing Unity and allies to capture the seats around the mics. One CTUer left a bag on the seat. But when she got back, the bag had been moved and Mulgrew was sitting in the seat.

The CTU should have brought chains and locked themselves to their chairs - make Unity use a fork lift to get them out. Actually, I need to share some of my "I refuse to move, call the cops" stories with Chicago. Just don't move when they tell you to and invite them to call the cops. I once lay down on a table in the lobby at the DA when they told me to remove our lit. Think that is why they think I'm crazy or is it just my imagination?

I think mid-westerners are just too nice.

That's Weingarten's "vibrant AFT democracy" in action.

Remember this morning when I asked "Is Randi Weingarten REALLY Getting The Message" about how much opposition there is in the rank-and-file to Common Core and the ancillary corporate education reforms that come with it?

Remember how I said to watch what they do rather than listen to what they say over this stuff?

Well, if you were watching this farce, you saw happen exactly what I thought would happen - Weingarten and her shills talked a good game about opposition to Common Core and leaving it up to the membership whether the condemnatory CCSS resolution passed or not, then rigged the game to make sure that didn't happen.

In other words, they ensured that their lame "The Common Core Standards are wonderful if only the implementation was better" resolution passed.

Dunno what the usually astute Stephanie Simon was drinking last night when she wrote up her Politico piece about how the AFT leadership was escalating opposition to the CCSS, but whatever it was, she should stop drinking it so we can get back the astute reporting she always does.

Because the AFT leadership had NO intention of letting the condemnatory CTU resolution on the Core pass committee and go to the convention floor.

Randi Weingarten and the AFT/UFT leadership remain as pro-Common Core as ever - the proof was in the committee vote.