No donating to Haiti from this end. No way, no how. Will not do it through the UFT Disaster Relief Fund. In fact, no one should. And it is not because I do not trust the UFT to get the funds to the proper people. It's because once again the UFT has its priorities skewed.
The other day I received, as I am sure others did a mass email from Obergruppenführer Mike Mulgrew about how we can as a union do our bit for Haiti. Send check or money order to the UFT Disaster Relief Fund or chapter leaders will be collecting donations and bringing it all to the next delegate assembly. No way.
Obergruppenführer Mulgrew should send out mass emails about the deplorable conditions of the rubber rooms. Solicit help for the teachers who are thrown in there an not only feel abandoned by their union, but from colleagues as well. Hey Mike, why not ask for volunteers to reach out to these teachers to see how their doing? Maybe just a phone call or two during the week to check in could go along way to make someone feel better. It can be a UFT version of Big Brother/Big Sister. Think how this will bring all teachers together as one in camaraderie and empathy!
How about setting up some support groups for the teachers? Yeah, it was talked about but never implemented. Don't have the money? Well perhaps it is time to move out of 52 Broadway.
But what about teachers who are not in the RR and having a tough time of it? Remember that hatchet job Stephen Brill wrote? How he skewered the teacher that suffered from alcoholism? I think it is time for the UFT, as the NYPD has, a system in which teachers who have a dependency issue are able to seek help without fear of retribution. Even teachers that are suffering from depression need someplace to go for help without the fear of having the sword of Damocles hanging over their head.
Mike, teachers are inherently good people and altruistic. We will take care of Haiti on our own. But the UFT needs to look inward and fix our own foundation first.
Interestingly, In medicine we deal with "Impaired Physicians" all the time. We have programs to help those with alcohol or drug problems. They can enroll in detox and recovery, keep their licenses, go back to work and have their work and sobriety monitored. We have a program run by the Medical Society of NY that, once enrolled, ensures you that you will get the time off work you need to make your doctor appointments, therapy appts, etc. so that you can remain sober and nonimpaired. I am surprised and dissappointed to learn that, with all the power and unions and money . . . that teachers do not have such necessary resources.
ReplyDeleteOh, and mental problems such as depression (that is symptomatic enough to get in the way of one's performance) also gets classified under the "Impaired Physician" programs, and gets the necessary support and help.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of reputable charities to go around--for everyone in need. We must all help one another, as well as ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWHY DOESNT SOMEONE ASK FOR THE FINANCIAL REPORT OF THIS SO CALLLED CHARITY FOR HAITI AND SEE WHO IS GETTING PAID AND HOW MUCH IS SPENT ON MANAGEMENT FEES, ETC?
ReplyDeleteNOBODY KNOWS IF THE MONEY EVER GOT TO HAITI- MULGREW REALLY TRUSTS CLINTON TO HAND IT OUT? AFTER HE DOES ANOTHER WHITEWATER DEAL?
CUOMO'S OFFICE HAS THE REPORT- IT IS PUBLIC RECORD.