Why does Stew Leonard's have a higher regard for its customers than the UFT has for its rank and file? Why can McDonald's treat its customers better than the UFT does for its rank and file?

Back in the 90's I was in Orlando and booked a room at one of the Radisson's. The hotel was overbooked, and they sent me to another, yet swankier Radisson. My room and meals were comped. If it was an official
UFT hotel they would make me sleep in my car. However the management would claim they were attentive because the brought me a blanket, pillow, and a milk jug to piss in.

Members of the UFT should be thought of as customers. What does the sign say at each and every Stew Leonard's? 

"Rule 1: The customer is always right. Rule 2: If the customer is ever wrong, reread Rule 1."

It's pretty simple. The UFT has taken some steps, more like baby steps, in the last few years. But they still don't get it. They don't understand at the very least the perception and at the worst the reality of a union that does a little as it possibly can. Which will only fight back when confronted. For years, I have said if one seeks the help of the UFT without having knowledge and without standing firmly you are shit out of luck.

Yesterday, I got my first letter to file since 2013. All over the inane ambiguity over synchronous and asynchronous teaching that I shared last week. Oh joy. Thank you UFT  for really putting that true effort in.

But last this morning as I was making breakfast I had a revelation. I sent an email to my chapter chair on March 16 asking for clarification on synchronous and asynchronous.

I sent it due to the request of the CL for topics to bring up in the upcoming consultation meeting of March 19. 

 XXXX-  

I think clarification and discussion should be brought up with administration concerning asynchronous time. Some believe that we should be in front of our computers during this time without students just waiting for them to appear or with students whilst they do their work silently and we are doing nothing. XXXXXXX clarified it all. Asynchronous means we are available if needed. We are to be notified through text, email or dojo.  Thanks!

Even if the information is wrong or not exactly right, this was something that needed clarification!

In the chapter leader's email, we were asked to have our requests in by 1 PM, March 17. My email was sent at 8:44 PM. This was plenty of time to add it to the agenda. 

Guess what? It was not part of the agenda. 

Worse, I never heard back from the CL before the consultation with any questions, comments, concerns in regards to my email. And guess what else? I never heard back from the CL after the consultation meeting. Yet, before and after the request for clarification, the CL shared the party line with me several times. That asynchronous time means sitting live in front of the computer awaiting students who might or might now show up.

I got a letter in the file due to either incompetence or negligence. Since February I have been asking for clarification and no two responses are the same. How difficult is it to get clarification? 

But I am just a lowly ATR. An outsider, an interloper to the "family" which the CL explicitly claimed as well as implied in an ad hominem attack upon myself. All because I am running for chapter leader.

I am really bothered and hurt but not surprised. Why have expectations of the UFT when one can only be disappointed? But there is plenty more to this story that I am holding back on. 

For $120 a month we should get more than concierge service and unwieldy town halls in which only buddies and pals get chosen to speak. I asked for clarification during the last DA and Rashard didn't pick me. 

I pay my dues, I am a teacher. I am a teacher in my school. I am not some second class citizen. Nor is any ATR. No teacher, nor any UFT member should not be treated like this. And it wouldn't happen if upper echelon of the UFT took the rank and file more seriously.

I have always believed that the chapter union (UFT) meeting is sacrosanct. That what happens in a meeting stays in the meeting, and that if you are not a UFT member you have no business being there.

The meeting is where we can share, let off steam, kvetch, and feel safe. For anyone to attempt to go against that is no better than those we are trying to stand up against.

That's why I was shocked when sources at PS 154 in the Bronx shared with The Crack Team that the new chapter chair allowed DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx to "sit in" on a UFT meeting so she can ostensibly get feedback from teachers on what is "on their minds."

Yet again, DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 needs to be in control and not allow for independent though amongst the many anencephalic members (Most. Fortunately there are several independent thinkers left there) of PS 154. But the problem goes way beyond this.

With DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx involved in the meeting, and even if the purpose is benign, can teachers and paras feel safe to be candid with her? Is it not possible for DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx to make a mental or actual note of who is in attendance at the meeting and decide that those who are at a union meeting or speaking up vociferously should be targeted? Again, if DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx appearance is benign, is it not possible that teachers will not share because they are afraid to with her face to face? Is this not what the consultative committee is for?

Ah, the consultative committee at PS 154. It's a scam. The deck is stacked with the sycophants of DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx. They know who butters their bread and who can make their lives miserable so they play nice and look the other way. But that is to be expected.

What should not be expected nor accepted is the total acquiescence to the demands of  DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx by the current CL at PS 154. A lackey like this, has never been seen before. She has set up camp, with a a couch, TV, and barcalounger within the confines of the colon of DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx.

Take my example.

Over a week ago I emailed the payroll secretary at 154 inquiring about the whereabouts of my file. I did not receive an answer in a timely manner so I emailed the CL. Yes, the CL did get back to me and said she would check with the secretary. Shouldn't take long to ask. A day, another day went by and no response by the CL.

Over a week passed and I emailed the secretary again. No response. I then emailed the CL--again--and there was no response going on now for four days. What am I to think?

That, the payroll secretary was told not to respond back and, and this is even worse, the CL was told not to respond back in my opinion.

I'm not surprised. Word is the CL, before she was CL, threw a friend under the bus at PS 154 and has always done what she can to satisfy DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx. Hell, why not? When a school starts cutting, what is it they cut first? Art.

Here is my opinion for the few at PS 154 in the Bronx if you need the union;

Under no circumstances trust or go to your CL or the Consultative Committee. Whatever you say to your CL or CC in my opinion will be the same as if you were telling DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx and we all know what happens when DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx feels when she has been crossed.

Either email me for advice, the former CL,  or contact the new DL for District 7.