6.26.2014 @ 10:10PM THE UFT First and foremost I support unions. It is essential that unions stay strong that labor keeps the rights it has earned through decades and decades of hard work and struggles. When I hear the UFT is not what it use to be and all they are good for is optical forms and your teeth I cringe. I cringe in part because the UFT is not the enormous powerhouse it use to be. Here are my observations; whether there are similarities in your school that is up to you to determine. There is lots of horse trading between UFT chapter leaders, District reps and principals and superintendents. Many times the UFT members rights and needs are neglected in lieu of what management wants in exchange for something else down the road eventually. When a UFT member has a problem they should have access at least until 9:00PM. Most of the time calls made by members are answered by tired and grumpy teachers reporting to their boro office at 4:00PM. Mind you there are nice UFT reps that answer phones. I dont like the idea of harvesting data in the form of giving up your file number; that has always made me feel uncomfortable. I truly believe if the UFT is not able to extend their hours, availability to members (hey, consider Saturday hours) then an agency dedicated to teachers needs to coexist with the UFT. I am advocating for an office called The office of the teacher advocate where availability will be vast; where teachers can safely call, ask and find out information if the UFT cannot provide this service. Even so, you have the NYCDOE and the UFT. I believe The office of the teacher advocate can serve as a independent watchdog agency similar to the CCRB (Civilian Complaint Review Board) of the NYPD. I think teachers feel abandoned, this is what you are telling me. Sure the UFT newspaper has nice photos but I think members want to and need to see more of what plagues them. These issues include but are not limited to age discrimination, harassment, unfair practices in general. Principals need to be held accountable; the ones who lie, manipulate, are snake oil salespeople have to go. the ones that have their snitches and moles have to go. Tell me there arent honest principals with principles that dont need the Stasi (East German secret police) . Teachers should not and need not live in fear of ANYTHING. Working in fear diminishes their effectiveness thinking the boss is looking to hurt them or set them up in some way. Again I support our Union, but the entire system from top to bottom has become so big and unmanageable that it is time for assistance and that assistance should come from The office of the teacher advocate. What do you think? Do you think eventually, we should lobby for this position or office to be created within city government? Please express your views and SHARE....Fondly, Jeff
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 02:08:18 +0000
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