and when there is a changeover, there needs to be a plan.
The Crack Team and myself have spent the better part of today spitballing some ideas on how the coalition can show how it will be a true union, how it will be there for the rank and file, and how the UFT will governed and run for and by the rank and file.
1. 100% Openness
Can you imagine not watching Congress on C-Span? Not watching your local village, town, or city government on your local cable access channel? You can't. But if you are not a UFT delegate you are shit out of luck. Unless you schlep to 52 Broadway and watch a grainy feed on TV in a little cold room.
In this day and age there is ZERO REASON for the UFT Delegate Assembly to be held in secret. The first thing the new ruling coalition must do is make the DA accessible for all! Live stream it across several platforms. Have the minutes of all DA's posted, as well as archived, on the UFT website as soon as possible.The same goes with the executive board. In fact, those who need to speak before the exec board should not be forced to come into lower Manhattan. Speakers can easily participate thorough video or streaming. Heck, even an email can be read into the record.
Remember, a more participatory union is a STRONGER union.
2. Voting
All voting at the DA and exec board will be done using technology. A simple add on to the UFT app will back this possible. We here at SBSB are darn sure there is enough bandwidth to go around at 52 Broadway to go around.
The same goes for union wide elections. There is no reason that union wide elections can't be done from one's UFT app or on the website. Mulgrew blustered at the DA on Monday about electronic balloting...
Electronic voting sounds great but how do we make sure it survives challenge. NLRB has frowned upon this.
Yeah. Sure. Right. Please if the UFT wanted to it could and would.
3. Avoid Cleaning House for the Sake of It
There are a lot of good, strong people working in the borough offices and at 52 Broadway. Find these people. Keep these people.
4. Vote on Everything
Any change to the contract or to working conditions or if the DOE wishes to give us Zwieback in the morning it must be voted on by the entire rank and file and not approved by a few people. It's that simple.
5. District and Borough Reps Must Be Elected
This goes without saying. The question is who does the electing? The chapter leaders are all members?
6. Travel
There is one DA a month plus two exec board meetings a month. Why must both be limited to Lower Manhattan. Take the show out on the road. Why? Because participation is a good thing.
7. No Loyalty Oaths or Perks
If a CL is not a member of United for Change or any of it's member caucuses that CL still gets to spend the weekend in the Rye Town Hilton (It's been shut down for a year so wherever it is in the future) or gets to go to the AFT thingy, or is treated with the same respect that we would want.
8. No More Creamed Fish at Executive Board Meetings
It's gross. It makes Hank from The Crack Team puke. Please. This must end.
9. The New UFT President Must Visit the Boroughs
How freaking difficult is it for Mulgrew to spend a week each month visiting the borough offices and having town hall meeting. There are five days in a work week and five boroughs. It works. And please, no per-ordained questions.
10. Never, Ever Say "Doing God's Work"
This is a pet peeve of The Crack Team. We're not doing God's work. God (if there is one or one that cares about the DOE) can do God's work. In the opinion of The Crack Team ,this remark is patronizing, condescending, and reeks of desperation as well as empty nothingness.
And last, but not least...
11. ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THE MEMBERS
It goes without saying. Don't really need to elaborate.
I am sure in the coming weeks and months myself and The Crack Team will come up with more ideas. Right now we are awaiting seeing the Bronx inundated with yard signs on all off ramps.
Why would boro reps be elected? DRs, maybe. But who would vote for boro reps? Also, chapter leader training weekends are open to all classes, regardless of caucus affiliation
ReplyDeleteHeath insurance for Retirees needs to be a discussion that needs to be front and center. The whole "dis"advantage plan concept needs to be understood.
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DeleteYes to health insurance for retirees revisit. There were 8 suggestions put on the table at OLR. The decision had already been made. There is corruption between EMBLEM Health and NYC. High time to investigate.
ReplyDeleteHouse needs to be cleaned. Every loyalty oath signer needs to go. Anyone working for Unity has to sign the oath to pledge fealty to Mulgrew's directives and to get those patronage bucks.
Yes to health insurance for retirees front and center. There were 8 suggestions on the table at OLR. The decision had already been made. There is corruption between EMBLEM Health and NYC. High time to investigate. The igh option rider prescription plan is bad. CSA offers both members and retirees two excellent ZERO cost benefits. The UFT charges exorbitant rates for a low quality catastrophic coverage plan and SHIP, while linking the right to overpay for these benefits to dues payment. No dues, you are denied these two benefits. UFT retirees have the highest out of pocket enefit expenses of all the city unions.
ReplyDeleteHouse needs to be cleaned. Every loyalty oath signer needs to go. Anyone working for Unity has to sign the oath to pledge fealty to Mulgrew's directives and to get those patronage bucks.
Read above. The President makes all hiring decisions. A UfC victory would mean a purge of all reps at uft offices. When you call about your salary grievance, nobody will know the answer. All institutional knowledge will be lost. Getting defended by a Special rep at OSI or OEO? You'll be dealing with a brand new UfC Cadre. He'll learn the ropes, eventually. Give him a few years.
ReplyDelete@2:26, I think Camille Eterno (It's just been announced she is UFC nominee for UFT President) will be smart enough to know who is capable of staying on.
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