So many people are so mad at the union leadership it has come to this for them. Imagine what might happen if people don't have to pay dues. I'm opposed to this scenario. What the Unity leadership should do is put forth a package of democratic reforms. But they won't. They would rather have 100% control of half a union.Norm, the day of reckoning for Weingarten and the ed deform movement will come when the US Supreme Court overturns mandatory union dues in Friedrich v CTA. I predict at least 1/2 of all UFT members will quit the union. --- a UFT member
I am updating this with the 2 comments this post has gotten so far, both anti-Unity but with very different perspectives.
Bronx ATRSunday, March 8, 2015 at 2:41:00 PM EDTExtremely dangerous for all of us. I loathe the UFT and the people running it, but we need them. The UFT had better wake up and smell the coffee because I know the majority of the unrepresented 1800 ATRs and thousands of more untenured newbies will line up to rescind their membership and dues. If that happens things will completely fall apart for everyone.
Boy, after 60 years of clutching onto power with their cold, dead hands, the latter sentiment certainly has some appeal. And I don't hold out much hope for the UFT reforming itself.YES!!!! Where do I sign up to stop the union dues from leaving my check?
But, what will become of the union "leaders" if there's no dues? Hopefully - back in the classroom! That'll be a bigger punishment than losing their jobs! They would rather drop dead first.
I would love to see my slimy, corrupt district rep teaching again. I would pay big money for that!! Please, please God make it happen...
What our commenters don't seem to realize is that many politicians - especially Democrats -- need the UFT as a strong enough entity to exert management and control over the members.
And as long as the UFT doesn't put up too much of a fight like they did in Chicago - some demos, rallies, etc are OK - as long as the backdoor deals are made - they will not undercut the power of Unity -- their partner in so many cases.
And the union will sell everything out to show how good they will be -- please, can they have some more porridge, please?
But if the Supreme Court actually does this, then the politicians are off the hook. Imagine a union where people willingly pay dues! I bet the teachers in Chicago would pay their dues.
Now, if the UFT ever did reform:
First up would be to show good faith and scale back the retiree vote. Next - elect District reps to bring some vestige of democracy down to the schools. Then reform the Exec Bd so it actually represents a wide swath of people. That MORE got more votes than New Action but no seats on the board is a travesty. But I am not arguing for MORE, whose vote was still paltry to get seats while rank and filers who don't want to be involved in a caucus are shut out. I would totally revamp the way the Board is elected -- maybe districts elect people so schools get a say. And certainly when a third of the UFT consists of elementary school teachers they should get more than 11 seats on a 100 seat board. High school rep almost 20% of working union members. They get 7 seats. Get rid of most at-large voting - where the entire union, including retirees vote for a majority of Exec Bd seats and the entire officer slate. Give retirees a VP on the officer slate - and that is who they get to vote for. And also 2 Ex Bd seats.
The bad decision making in the UFT/NYSUT/AFT complex is due to the shutting out of voices of dissent where a parliamentary process would lead to bargaining over positions and coming to some sense of concensus. If the union were democratic, the UFT charter school would have been seriously contended and monitored and not have been allowed to become the embarrassment it has turned into. And NYSUT would not have been calved. And Bill Gates would have not been allowed to set foot in our convention hall. Etc, etc, etc.
