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Showing posts with label MORE Cacus. Show all posts

Thursday, September 3, 2015

UFT Solidarity Fanboi Love Letter

I, along with a few others, were on the receiving end of a love letter sent by UFT Solidarity last
month. I had just woken up and was in the bathroom as I was reading it. I laughed so hard I fell off the bowl and almost cracked my head open.

So without further ado, the love letter written in full with commentary (In red).

Look, you guys poke fun Yeah, its so easy that I occasionally contact MORE to work together, Occasionally? It's bordering on some type of Fatal Attraction contact but the truth is MORE has fallen short in supporting the individual members. And how has the UFT Solidarity method risen above that? Have any of the 70 odd members of UFT Solidarity who have been discontinued, shat upon, etc... succeeded? Is the support that UFT Solidarity supposedly accorded its members genuine, specific to the member, or just a way for someone to make up for some major Freudian shortcoming? OOOH. We send emails to principals. We've all see how well that has worked. We try to come in and do that work, try is the key word just as we thought you can do the work we don't concentrate on. If you're going to continue mocking us for trying then we will just have to say no to MORE, move forward and up our social justice game. Social justice at UFT Solidarity? It's about chasing a windmills for the benefit of just the one.

Then we won't need to reach out to work as a coalition. Really? Awww, that sucks. Maybe UFT Solidarity should share with its 70 odd members the truth at what really transpired at that ICE meeting in June.

If I may, a sidebar of what was posted on the super duper secret UFT Solidarity lackey site; http://uftsolidarity.slack.com It's free to join! Prizes are given away every day to the most sycophantic comment.

"The meeting started out tense, because of miscommunication on all sides. There was a lot of confusion as to which group was really represented at the restaurant. Was it ICE or MORE? At the beginning of the meeting several members from the other caucus expressed their distrust of UFT Solidarity and the intentions of Solidarity as a caucus. As the meeting went on and members of all sides were able to voice their personal concerns and feel that they were heard and their voice mattered the tension started to dissipate. As the walls of distrust came down, all caucuses involved were able to move the matter of creating a slate forward in a productive manner. There is still much work to be done, but the meeting was a great first step in the right direction."

There was no confusion, ICE is ICE, MORE is MORE. Walls of distrust never dissipated, in fact if anything they grew. There was no great step. It was dead in the water. Wake up, get over yourselves and enter reality.

The ridiculous conversations that took place below remind me why I created a different group. Yeah yeah, someone is OCD enough to save every little thing. Yeah, there was a internal donnybrook but what group never has one? MORE is like a Jewish family at times and when emotions get high they kvetch and opine loudly but when the dust settles all goes back to normal. I guess this is because MORE is not a top down organization relying on ONE to guide it and make its decisions.

Accept it already. Work with us or don't,Does this mean MORE is either against you and with you? Didn't work for W, why should it work for UFT Solidarity? but using Zucker to take jabs is a poor play. Hey, that's me! Nobody is using me. Nobody is instructing me. I have stated again, and again, and again why I have taken the path I chose. Please stop and for once listen.

Zucker remove your ridiculous posts and move forward. Remove? How so. Remove them from where? Is this a request or a demand? I'm telling you this will not go well. Like how? How won't it go well? Like that law suit? I've added your email and number to spam blocker weeks ago so I don't know if I could even see a response. As Herman Munster used to say, "Darn, Darn, Darn!"

In Yiddish there are two words, schlemiel and schlimazel. The schlemiel is one who spills the soup. The schlimazel is the one who the soup spills on.

UFT Solidarity is the Schlimazel Caucus.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Come to MORE Summer Series This Thursday!

BREAKING NEWS!!!! UNBELIEVABLE BREAKING NEWS!!!

This Thursday, August 13......

The MORE Summer Series presents.......

What is the role of UFT Elections in Building a caucus?

What should a 2016 grassroots UFT election campaign look like ? Does MORE have the resources and activists to mount an effective campaign ? How can we use new tools and lessons learned to ensure that organizing for the election will build MORE? Come learn election nuts and bolts, brain storm creative election strategies…

All this to happen at.......

The Dark Horse, 17 Murray St. NYC Near City Hall, Chambers St, WTC Close to the A,C, R, 1,2,3 trains. Discounted beverages available.

Tell MORE Frank Sinatra Jr sent you and get a drink on the house (I hope that someone gets this reference).

See you then!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! SPARKLES THE CAT SEEKS UFT PRESIDENCY!!!

Several days ago, in what then was a tongue in cheek blog post, we here at SBSB suggested that my cat Sparkles, run for UFT president.

Apparently when we were all asleep Sparkles manages to read that post and sat down with me to discuss the possibility. She has spent the last several days contemplating a run and today decided to sit down with members of The Crack Team to announce her decision and share her policy points.

Here now is the entire "presser" held by Sparkles, with myself offering the translation from cat talk to English, completely unedited.

Sparkles, you called us to your home today telling us you have a major announcement. What is it?

I have decided to throw my hat in the ring and run for president of the UFT

Which caucus nominated you? In fact which caucus are you with?

Careful there bub. I have yet to be nominated. I find it presumptuous to nominate oneself or even influence others to nominate me.

As for which caucus I am aligned with, that would be the MORE caucus. You can say I represent teachers that are cat owners.

And just what is it you have done for teachers that own cats?

I have started the UFT Kitty Alliance FB page (Well I didn't start that someone else did), Don't Tread on Teacher Kitty Owners, I have been there for teachers when they need to talk to someone about their kitty coughing up hair balls, I have begun many websites and list servs as well.

And have you engaged in any picketing in favor of teachers that own cats?

No. Basically it is a waste of time picketing a school with only 8 people and one of those 8 are wearing a Captain Picard uniform. Picketing is all well and good but basically, without community support, or the "real" media involved, you basically look like a bunch of schmucks out there.

It's better to establish a presence within the school to hand out information extolling the caucus, i.e. when are meetings, people to contact, etc... Also to reach out personally to other groups in the community. Picketing, unless you truly narrowly target where you are picketing, such as an unexpected place, makes you look like a bunch of schmucks.

Now mind you, there are cat owning teachers that have been discontinued, brought up on 3020-a charges, are being harassed, but empty gestures can only raise their level of expectations which in the end will disappoint them.

So all these social media pages have they affected any change within the DOE or the UFT?

You're joking, right?

Why do you expect to be nominated?

I don't. If I do, fine, if I don't fine. Democracy rules. I can honestly tell you there are people more worthy than myself to be UFT president. My owner has listed them here.

Speaking of which, I feel blogs have more (Pardon the pun) influence and more reach, at least the popular ones, such as Ednotes, Chaz, NYC Educator, SBSB, Raging Horse, ICE, DOENUTS, than picketing and all that stuff. The above blogs are what the people read!

Some say that James Eterno will be nominated. What would you do if he is? Will you put up a fight?

I will graciously step aside and support James. Remember, anyone can own a restaurant not everyone can be a 5 star chef and it is the chef that brings in the people to the restaurant.

And on that note James once made me a liver, chicken and cheese påté that was to die for!

If James is not nominated and you are, would you offer James the position of UFT Secretary?

I don't know if James would accept that job. I would like to have James be my closest advisor, much as Clark Clifford had been to many presidents. Anyway I am thinking of having my good friend, Bill the Cat be secretary.

Editors note: It was at this point that Sparkles got distracted by birds flying by the window and then she decided to clean herself.

And if you are nominated, what can we expect?

You can expect to have someone there to work their butt off for every UFT member there is and I will put in place throughout the entire UFT only those that will put members first. I will not have an ego, I will allow anyone to come to me if they disagree with me and I will not be vindictive, I will not have a hissy fit, and I will be mature with those who are of independent thought.

Last question, what can the rank and file expect from a Sparkles presidency?

It will be a union run buy the teachers, for the teachers. If I become president, God willing, I will stand before the rank and file a humbled kitty. That all egos will be checked at the door and that each member of the union is as important a cog in the wheel as me or anyone.

Thank you for allowing me this time. I now want to take a nap. Godspeed to all.

And there you have it. Sparkles threw her hat in the nominating process.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

I'm Live on the Total Tutor Show on July 15

Yes, the rumors are true!!

Neil Haley, host of BlogTalk Radio's The Total Tutor Show has been negotiating for sometime to get me to appear live on his Internet radio show.

Months of talks had commiserated between Neil and The Crack Team as we were waiting for our demands to be made. Finally, in fact just this morning, Neil finally caved to the demands of The Crack Team and I will be live, on air, talking with Neil and taking phone calls.

Nothing will be off topic. For those who remember my own Internet radio show, those who have heard me live on WFAS-AM, and for readers of this blog, there is nothing that I will not share my honest opinion of.

This all takes place tomorrow night, July 15 at 11 PM EDT.

Click this link and listen from your device or computer and hear as I openly and honestly discuss my 3020-a hearing, the charges against me, my suspension, DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx, the death of education in New York State and nationwide, the AFT, the UFT, the upcoming 2016 UFT elections, MORE, how teachers can best help themselves against attacks, and whatever else Neil decides to throw at me.

You can call in to speak to Neil and myself at (805) 285-9736 and also follow me on Twitter in which I will be attempting to live tweet along with Neil on his Twitter feed and follow along at hashtag #educhat.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

The Next MORE Bronx Happy Hour on April 5

Come one, come all, the next, best MORE happy hour and is this coming Friday, April 5th at 4 PM in the Beautiful Bronx.

Again, mention Frank Sinatra Jr and get a glass of vino on the house.

ATTENTION : BRONX UFTers

MORE (Movement of Rank and File Educators)

ANNOUNCES......

PRE-ELECTION

H A P P Y H O U R @

Friday, April 5……… 4 pm to 7 pm

"G" BAR and LOUNGE

579 Grand Concourse @ 150th Street

Across the street from the big

Bronx Post Office

The same spot as Giovanni's Pizzeria!!!

Just 1 block north of the 4 and 5 trains

The 2 train!!!!!

Or take the bus,

Bx1, Bx2, or the Bx19

Valet parking , street parking available

WHEN: Friday, April 5……… 4 pm to 7 pm

Why: Meet other Bronx-based UFTers

Talk about the UFT Elections, Teaching, Testing, Danielson, etc.

Get lit to distribute at school

Find out about other MORE events

Share problems/strategies for building a chapter that *matters*

DRINK, EAT;

Have a good time!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Vote For Julie Cavanagh and the MORE Slate in UFT Elections

It is getting to be that time of the year. On April 3, the ballots will be mailed to all UFT members for the UFT elections in which we will decide whether or not to keep Michael Mulgrew as UFT president and Unity in control.

We here at SBSB, myself and The Crack Team, endorse the entire MORE (Movement of Rank and File Educators) slate and Julie Cavanagh as president. This endorsement does not come just because yours truly is on the ballot for executive board, but because I truly feel that a change, and a
worthwhile change at that, is needed in the UFT leadership.

Ask yourself a very simple question. Are you better off now than you were three years ago (the last Union election)? Are you better of now since October 31, 2009? That is how long we have been working without a contract. Are you better off than you were in 2005 when Randi Weingarten, then UFT president gave away the seniority rights and grieving letters to the file? Are you better off than you than you were January 1, 2002, the day Bloomberg became mayor and Weingarten started her collaboration with him?Yes, financially we are better off since 2002. But think of the grander picture.

Think ahead. Will you be better off a year, two years, three years from now? Stop and think. I mean even financially you can be worse off. God forbid you are rated ineffective 2 years in a row on the basis of junk math. Then what happens? Take away the pension, will you be better or worse off in the future emotionally, physically, job wise?

The answer to all the above questions are pretty obvious. Of course not, and do you know why?

Because the current management of the UFT serves only themselves, not you! Yes, there might have been a time when the UFT cared about its members but those days are long gone. That is why it's time for a change.

I know Julie was attacked by the UFT last week for daring to be concerned about her son instead of showing up at a delegate meeting, but come on. The delegate assembly is nothing more than a Supreme Soviet meeting. It is nothing more than an arm of Mulgrew and harbors no independent thought. Going to a DA meeting is like watching the Politburo in action.

I know Julie, I have met her, and she is real. That is what we need, real leadership. A real person. The beliefs, morals, and honor from the top will trickle down to the borough leaders, to the district leaders, to the chapter leaders. Your wants, concerns, and feelings will be not only recognized, but actually heard and respected. Never again will you be told to be silent, or told to take it, or be told to acquiesce. Having to deal with the DOE from weakness will be a thing of the past.

Julie and the entire MORE caucus (Please read MORE's platform), will put the needs of the students, the schools, and the teachers ahead of the city's. Never again will there be cowering and fear shown to the mayor. Never again will teacher's fears be unanswered. Only you, and each one of us that looks to the UFT to be true leaders in education, to be when a city turns its head to the union, can make sure this happens.

The ballots are being mailed out April 3 and it is safe to assume that the ballot will arrive in mailboxes just a few days later. Apathy is our worst enemy. That's what the city and Unity want. It is time to change that.

Instead of tossing that ballot in the garbage, or putting it with the other junk mail, fill out that ballot right away. Vote for the MORE slate. All it will take is 30 seconds to mark the box. Put it in the envelope and mail it.

This election can't be won with just Julie and MORE. It can only be won by you. Julie and MORE can't change the culture alone, they can only do it with you. You are the most important person in this election. You have the power alone to change education in New York and the country.