SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: UFT Solidarity Threatens to Sue Me!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

UFT Solidarity Threatens to Sue Me!

I really wish I can make this shit up. Sadly, it's all too real.

This past Sunday night, September 6, my phone rings. Who can it be as I walk to the phone. Lo and behold I am getting a phone call from UFT Solidarity. To what honor, I wonder, am I worthy of such a call?

I allow the the call to go to VM for I know that I really don't like the way I sound on recording (Amongst other reasons). Let me hear what the VM says and will make any decisions from there.

I don't get a VM, but I do get a text from UFT Solidarity which reads;
"Hey what's up? Just called you. Seems like you want to tall and get shit off your chest. Call me if you do."
An intriguing possibility. Yes, I wished to sit down and talk but one of us would have to be at the sit down wearing nothing but a Speedo and be subject to a cavity search.

I go on with my evening, go on with my Labor Day and then last night, out of the blue I get another unsolicited text which reads;
"Sucks that it has come to this, but I am suing you (Emphasis mine). I warned you many times."
Dang, just like Alex Forrest UFT Solidarity goes 180 degrees in the other direction.

I was laughing so hard I responded;
"Good luck! I have no idea what you'll get from me but I wish you all the luck in the world and Godspeed."
And this response;
"There are several remedies the judge can order. I guess like everything else time will tell."

Wow! I did not know that UFT Solidarity is an Asia fan.

To top it off a member of MORE got a phone call from UFT Solidarity last night and was told that MORE was going to be sued due to the fact that I was acting in the capacity of MORE.

If I was a follower of UFT Solidarity I would step back and take a good hard look at what I am getting into. There is something seriously askew here and must wonder if the path that I had chosen is the right path.

I doubt these are the values of UFT Solidarity followers.

34 comments:

Francesca Gomes said...

Just desperation and instability. My dad always said, "Look, anyone can sue anyone. That doesn't mean the guy who files paperwork has a snowball's chance in hell."

Pete Zucker said...

Hey my dad said that too!

Anonymous said...

Funny. Meme but the jury should all be looking through a magnifying glass ...anyone threatens a lawsuit against anyone that just simply stating the facts needs to grow a pair...

Anonymous said...

I can hardly wait to see what the charges are against you and More. This ought to be real interesting. It looks like someone has dug a port to big to dig themselves out of....

Francesco Portelos said...

This is true. You finally posted some truth here Peter Zucker.

It's true that I called you and text you. I expected a man to man conversation, but you're a wanna be Keyboard Warrior, a text on the screen tough guy. I expected nothing more.

Yes, I am putting together a complaint and yes you are the defendant. MORE, so far is not a defendant, but yes, since they are an entity involved, they will be named in the suit as an entity. Exhibits in the claim will be the communications to them to try and end this.

You see, what I am doing to you is what I have done to others who have launched unwarranted attacks against me and other innocent UFT members. I push back when needed. That is exactly what I, and Solidarity, will do in the future against those who try and hurt our members. Whether it is a superintendent, chancellor or mayor, we will expose and push back unwarranted attacks.

Think this is a distraction? While we read this and typed a response, we launched our Opt-Out site and had a conference planning real initiatives for members.
I really don't care if Mike Mulgrew himself is watching this from the 14th floor of 52 Broadway. I fight back when necessary. I'll fight his inactions and those of any Unity/MORE member who wants to jump in and try to take a swing.

While I draft the lawsuit, you will continue to implode, toss at night, lose your mind etc. Let this be a lesson. Call my former chapter leader Richard Candia who tried the same as well as assistant principals and others. I don't mess around. When there is provocation, I will warn. When the warning is ignored, I will bite back.

I'm in the process of reading your decision that was sent to me. Not your version, but the full version with redactions. You did some things Peter. You have to pay the piper.

https://app.box.com/peter-zucker-3020-a-decision



Anonymous said...

Wow, Portelos is a bitter dude. He knows he will never be UFT President and he is reacting like a spoiled bitch. Keep wandering in ATR limbo asshole because you are never leaving it as long as you are a DOE employee. Oh and by the way, you published enough of your threats and bullying on online that it should be enough to prove to an overwhelming majority of UFT members across the city that you are completely unfit to hold office. You don't know when to shut the hell up and that is the major cause of damn near ALL of your problems. I would even go so far as to admit that based on your myriad of comments (on multiple blogs) that you have a mental state unfit to teach. You are pathetic.

Mary said...

Anyone that has to text someone else with a harassing email and then text again to threaten a lawsuit; doesn't have a chance in H!@# of a lawyer or judge taking him/her seriously. Peter, you have enough on Portelos to sue for harassment and slander. His Malicious character assassination on this wall is enough evidence that you could own his house if you chose to make it legal.

Anonymous said...

Wait. A guy wanting to be union president sues fellow union members? And over what? Let him show one thing you posted that is not true. This guy publicly declares you are not fit to teach and he is suing you? Has he ever seen you teach? Does he think he is a supervisor? He wanted to get out of the classroom as soon as possible so he could be a principal and screwed himself. Imagine this guy running a school. He would be at the head of his list of abusive principals. Dead end as a principal. Dead end trolling for union job. Dead end in opposition groups. If Solidarity is a real caucus and not a one man operation dump this guy fast and you will be taken seriously.

Anonymous said...

I was told about the Candia story by people who attended the 3020a hearings and couldn't believe some of what I heard. What does it say when someone is proud of buying 30 web sites with every combination of Richard Candia's name or going after Candia's fiance's job by ratting her out by calling a parent to complain about her teaching license? Talk about back stabbers. You will never see that entire transcript released. just as former Solidarity member Peter is facing these attacks People in Solidarity will know one day when they are seen as crossing this guy - your leader will come after you full blast for "betraying" him even if it's in how own mind.

That Retired Teacher said...

Portelos is showing his true colors. He needs to look deeply into the mirror. What he will see is a person who is not President or leader quality for any organization. His behavior is only convincing more people of his lack of qualifications. Do yourself and your family a favor, get help to deal with your issues. Being UFT President is not going to eliminate those inner demons that are beco9ming more evident by the day!

Jacobs said...

A guy reacts to anonymous cowards who have been trying to vilify him for trying to make a difference and you are surprised? Very disappointing to see this from so called activists. Very disappointing to see MORE be part of this.

This just proves one thing; Portelos will fight no matter what. Good.

Francesco Portelos said...

My 3020-a decision? My decision was over 100 pages and needed some redactions due to student information. Was going to do it and put it off. Here it is though...enjoy going through it and skimming for juice. By the way your title is wrong. This is not a "threat." You are literally being sued. I warned you.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a8byg54g666tqet/FRANCESCO%20PORTELOS%20-%203020-a%20Decision%20-%20With%20notes.PDF?dl=0

Pete Zucker said...

I am? Cool. Do you need directions to the courthouse in White Plains?

Let's hope this lawsuit is more successful than the one you filed against Candia, the article 78, and the PERB case.

Would you like my lawyer to call you or do want to call him?

Anonymous said...

You guys are sad. Our union sucks and all you can do is sue each other. We are truly screwed

Anonymous said...

Yup. Stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

Pete, don't forget to bring up these comments from Porty

...and haven't there been several allegations that you sexually harassed teachers? At least two that reached out to us in addition to others that claim you harassed them in the rubber room.

Take care of your family Zucker and see a therapist. Let the adults work on this election.

I'll be there to support you then, but make no mistake...I would not want you teaching my own kids.

Peter, u have not mentioned FP you have either used facts gleamed from from Facebook and;or websites. There is no copyright infringement it falls under fair use. Also your posts are/have parody and FP is a public figure now since he not only has been in news multiple times but especially now since he threw hat in the ring running for presidnert of US's largest teachers local. You might also want to know that after the judge finishes laughing his ass off as he is dismissing this you then can ask for court costs since you will probably get since this is so frivolous and then you can, if you wish, sue FP.

Anonymous said...

If Zucker sexually harrassed teachers in the rubber room why hasn't the DOE brought him up on charges? Or have him arrested? Where are those allegations? Who made them? Sounds like slander to me.

Anonymous said...

Some people make the mistake of using the same working in their personal emails at in their anonymous comments. Maybe they are not the smartest guy in the room like they think they are.

F. Gomes said...

"Jacobs" = "Portelos"

Same exact wording as an angry email sent to another member a short while back.

Please tell me you don't expect a law suit to scare anyone. Yes, you may literally be suing people. And they will literally get you to have to pay their court fees. You literally are not going to convince anyone that you are the victim. Also, teachers (well, some of us) stick up for our own. You love giving advice, now take some of mine: Get a better lawyer. Or figure out what unions are supposed to mean. Pick one.

You manage to continue to shock me. Every time.

By the way, I'm using my own identity. Do I get to be "a man" in your eyes now? You know, since men are the only gender who understand honor?

Anonymous said...

Wow. Half of me wants Portellos in my trench when shit goes down but the other half of me is kind of afraid of what he might do. You gotta hand it to him: He is ruthless and goes right for the throat which is exactly what kind of leader we need against the ed-deform movement. However, fighting against other union members is just out of line in my book. I hate Unity as much as Portellos hates More but I would never think about suing Mulgrew. (Or any other fellow union member for that matter)

Anonymous said...

Will anyone who has known Portelos for more than 4 years please stand up in his defense? I have yet to meet someone who knows him for a long time actually defend him. That says something. That really really says something.

Anonymous said...

You make a good point. That type of trench warfare appeals to a lot of people though real results are not there - and claims are blown up with distortions and lies. But then you see something else going on. Many people at the DOE and the UFT deserve it. Engaging in warfare on family members even if people are shits takes it to a new level. But there is the same type of reaction to fellow union members. What type of self-proclaimed union leader publicly declares someone unfit to teach? We may say stuff to each other about some people we work with - but what would we think of a rat who went to the principal like Peter's colleague the RATT did? Why is Portelos doing anything different? Mulgrew would not do that. Did Candia's fiance deserve to have a parent urged to complain about the status of her license? Did the family of the Assistant principal need to go through public humiliation due to his charges she was making passes at him? There is no filter as to who the real enemy is. If you don't agree you are the enemy as is anyone else even your family that can be taken down. That was Bloomberg's mentality. And every other tin horn dictator. Trump uses similar tactics. And it's all a scatter gun spraying of everyone in the path - even the innocent. And you claim a war on ed-deform. where is the war on the ed-deform movement? We see a war on Peter who apparently flirted with Solidarity and committed the crime of raising issues of how it was being run and wrote publicly about his doubts. There are numerous people who complain of being harassed through emails and texts - they basically don't think it is worth it to go public or respond so it goes on. But if there is a court case it will all come out.

Anonymous said...

Happy to defend Porty. He is not guilty of slander. Since it's in writing, it's libel. Let no one call Porty a slanderer. Unless that person is listening to him speak, and then, yes, sure. How could a person who writes such stuff not say such stuff?

Anonymous said...

Portelos' words on this page alone are enough to prevent from ever becoming UFT President. He may know some tech shit but when it comes to politics, he is a dumbass exponential.

Anonymous said...

Our union sucks and now I know why!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The good: Portelos is a loose cannon who would decimate the Unity machine if given the chance. The bad: What we need is a sniper rifle right now to take out our enemies with precision. The ugly: Unity will take the election again unless the apathetic rank and file actually wakes the Hell up.

Anonymous said...

Decimate the Unity machine???? I hope you aren't smoking crack. He has zero political savvy. That loose cannon approach is his biggest liability. That and his permanent ATR status.

Anonymous said...

I, for one have been on the receiving end of Portelos slander and put down of members of More. I have not spoken out publicly yet. Why??? I have read with interest the sh*t that has been slugged Peter's way all summer by Porty and crew. Peter, have no fear if this case ever goes to court I will stand up and be heard.
Sorry but at the moment I do not wish to be on the receiving end of Porty 's temper tantrums. You are far better and braver person than I, Peter.

Anonymous said...

To anonymous...at 8:18 am,..you are welcome to read the whole transcript anytime you want. It is one coirt website. SCROLL

Anonymous said...

Looks like Porty never paid attention in school. There's something called the First Amendment, that allows for free speech.
And the Amendment stems from colonial era case of Peter Zenger, who published a broadsheet attacking a governor. The British government cried libel, but Zenger won. Today's Peter Z would win too.
Porty we have free speech. Look, Norm Scott and the other NYC ed bloggers say all kinds of things about Mulgrew, Weingarten, Cuomo. Do they threaten to sue? Has the DOE sued NYC Educator? No there's free speech.
But what Porty wants to do is to stifle free speech. He can't handle criticism. Oh, Porty loves to play it Mr. Clean on his blogs, and leave his criticisms and his outing of people he's no longer friends with for the comments section of other blogs.

Francesco Portelos, don't become confide in him because if you have a falling out he'll put the emails on the Internet.
Don't cross Solidarity caucus candidate Francesco Portelos because he'll threaten to sue you. But this is an empty suit, because no lawyer worth his or her salt will come near it.
A last reminder of the free speech we have in the USA: just look at Donald Trump: he says things personally directed to a whole bunch of people. But Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina and the others don't sue. They're men and women, not crybabies.

Anonymous said...

This Portellos Character needs to grow up and stop acting the age of his students. Suing over a free speech issue...cause his feelings are hurt?....wow...the childishness of this guy astounds me...man up Portellos, stop acting like a whining wus. At least after this no one will take him seriously as a candidate, and people can put their attention on viable opposition that might actually help us unite, instead of maintain division.

Anonymous said...

What happens when Porto goes to court?
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/Reporter/pdfs/2015/2015_30197.pdf

Anonymous said...

Portelos can't man up. He's a spoiled brat who throws tantrums when he doesn't get his way.

Anonymous said...

Every so often I read this blog. I heard the Portelos story way back before anyone knew who they were really dealing with. It really did not take me long to figure out that this guy has a few problems. MEET THIS GUY FACE TO FACE! You, Peter would have to be foolish to do so. Read between the lines on this guy. His own former staff members were fearful of him.