Philip Nobile: UFT Silent On ATR Rights and Representation

Printable Version >> CURRENT EVENTS "Why does Michael Mulgrew’s UFT persist in shafting ATRs by denying us representation within the union? Why hasn’t the Mulgrew established a bill of rights for ATRs? In contrast, Randi (Weingarten) arranged for rubber roomers to elect liaisons who met monthly with UFT Secretary Michael Mendel and Co-Staff Director LeRoy Barr at 52 Broadway. She also produced a pamphlet on our rights. Surely, what was good for reassigned members in the past is good for ATRs in the present."                   UFT President Mike Mulgrew     UFT Silent On ATR Rights and Representation By Philip Nobile Why does Michael Mulgrew’s UFT persist in shafting ATRs by denying us representation within the union? Why hasn’t the Mulgrew established a bill of rights for ATRs? In contrast, Randi (Weingarten) arranged for rubber roomers to elect liaisons who met monthly with UFT Secretary Michael Mendel and Co-Staff Director LeRoy Barr at 52 Broadway. She also produced a pamphlet on our rights. Surely, what was good for reassigned members in the past is good for ATRs in the present.  The UFT disagrees. Instead of real representation the union has handed us crumbs, insisting that revolving (and usually invisible) chapter leaders are all the representation we need.  On Sept. 24, hoping to change hearts and minds, I emailed two questions to the chain of command (Mulgrew, Mendel, Barr, Amy Arundell, Brooklyn Borough Rep. Howie Schoor, and my Brooklyn District Rep. Tom Bennett): (1) Why hasn’t the UFT drawn up an advisory to CLs (Chapter Leaders) on how to handle ATRs? Or have I missed it? In the good old days of rubber rooms, we not only had elected reps (liaisons) and monthly meetings at 52 Broadway, but Randi produced a brochure on our rights. (2) Can you explain why ATRs in good standing get less respect than accused members in the past? There was no reply until October 9 when Bennett emailed me and said to give him a call. I preferred a written response and Bennett obliged in his fashion. Herewith the ensuing correspondence revealing the UFT’s contempt for ATR rights:  Oct. 10: Bennett to me Ok, written response it is. I dont agree with the premise of question #2 in your email, so, I cant respond in a meaningful way. As for #1, there is no specific handbook on ATRs for chapter leaders, but it has been addressed at Chapter Leader training and at monthly meetings. Professional courtesy, bathroom keys, no menial assignments, no 6th period, etc. have all been emphasized repeatedly. It has also been addressed in chapter leader weekly, as well. Sorry to hear you are in high dudgeon, but I think I am innocent of the charge of being unavailable. If I dont respond it is because I dont know the answer, or because your question is, shall we say, tendentious. But I have always taken your call. Let me know where you are, and Ill come by. Oct. 13: Me to Bennett et al:  Good to hear from you. Thanks for the info on the indoctrination of chapter leaders in the care of ATRs. In my experience it’s not working. The only CL to meet and greet me in Brooklyn and Staten Island all last year was the esteemed Bill Kalogeras at Automotive. If the union were serious about the least of its members, at the least you would establish a protocol whereby CLs welcome their ATR brothers on day one, maybe even get them a cup of coffee. Is that too much to ask? If you were an ATR, wouldn’t you like to be treated with such solidarity?  The premise of question 2, as you know, is the UFT’s refusal to grant ATRs the same rights as rubber room residents of the past. Nobody in the UFT, including you, has explained why ATRs in good standing are less worthy of direct representation than suspect resassigned teachers who had elected liaisons to guard their interests at monthly meetings at 52 Broadway with LeRoy Barr and Michael Mendel no less. This is what I meant by a dearth of respect. Once again, if you were an ATR, wouldn’t you prefer to have a representative fighting for you inside the UFT instead of depending on invisible chapter leaders? Nevermind the Unity line, tell me what you really think.  Thanks for your consideration. Oct. 16: me to Bennett et al. Let's stipulate that you're in a tough spot along with Amy, Howie, LeRoy, and Mendel. Apparently, none of you can explain (justify) denying ATRs in good standing the same representation (e.g., elected liaisons and monthly meetings at 52) once granted reassigned members in bad standing. So why not walk the golden bridge of retreat and give ATRs their due. Call it solidarity. Oct. 17: Bennett to me Thanks for the email. Your comments are very thoughtful, as always. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Oct. 17: Me to Bennett et al. How sad, even pathetic, that you won't express your personal opinion on the union's refusal to extend the same representation rights to good standing ATRs that were formerly bestowed on suspect rubber room members.  The UFT's refusal to deal with this disparate treatment is really shabby. But you know that. You just can't admit it. You've taken the Unity oath.  Posted by Norm @ ed notes online at 11:30 PM  Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook 5 comments: AnonymousOctober 19, 2012 12:45:00 AM EDT Hello!! The ATRs should file a suit against both the DoE and UFT for discrimination. Last time you did, it caught the attention of the media and then that caught Randi's attention. Stop writing emails that get you nowhere and get together and file a class action suit. Isn't the writing on the wall. The UFT plans to sell ATRs down the river in this next negotiation. Reply AnonymousOctober 19, 2012 7:07:00 AM EDT Important information for city-wide ATR's (ALL TITLES) Next week on Tuesday, October 24, there is a meeting for all ATR's at the UFT Bronx Office. Not surprisingly this meeting is buried on the UFT calendar: http://www.uft.org/events/atr-informational-meeting ATR's of all titles are invited to attend this informational Q & A session on ATR-related issues and to meet the representatives of the Bronx Borough Office. It has been suggested by an ATR who has assumed a leadership role, that ALL ATR's, including those on the GEM listserve attend the Bronx meeting in order to speed up the quickly moving organization of ATR's. Should the meeting turn out to be a performance by Amy Arandle whining, "you're lucky to have a job," then all attendees at the meeting can rapidly retreat to the parking area to exchange contact information which will further strengthen the ATR movement. It has been reported that a list of city-wide ATR's has recently surfaced. Hopefully, this list can be used to urge attendance at the ATR meetings.  Reply Replies AnonymousOctober 19, 2012 8:32:00 AM EDT I agree it is time to file the lawsuit Reply Angry ATROctober 19, 2012 7:26:00 AM EDT Bronx ATR meeting is on WEDNESDAY, October 24, 2012 Reply AnonymousOctober 19, 2012 8:29:00 AM EDT Several physically-challenged ATR's have hired a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the UFT. Many of these ATR's are forced to WALK long distances (Like 8-10 Blocks) from subway stations after ascending and descending steep staircases. When they arrive at their 3 to 4 floor "schools-of-the-week" they find that many schools lack working elevators. Then these educators are forced to demean themselves, pleading with a cold-hearted leadership academy principal for an assignment on one floor for the day! This situation is outrageous. Reply