The @UFT Town Hall w/ Michael Mulgrew is about to begin at 3:15pm. We will be tweeting live updates from our MORE Twitter account. Hope to hear some good updates, but judging from the Delegate Assembly yesterday we expect defeatist language around budget cuts and excessing.
@UFT Town Hall has just started. Michael Mulgrew is giving introductions, and telling people they can ask questions. Moment of silence: lost 82 in-service and retired members. Rest in power to all those UFT members.
"We are now in a position where everyone in NYC knows that teachers, staff, therapists, are making the school system run. Buildings are closed, but schools are in session. It is because of this union and it is an amazing feat what you have done." Michael Mulgrew of @UFT
Mulgrew saying that he has notes from March 6th saying that they knew then they needed to get schools closed.
...We're pretty sure @UFT didn't outright say @NYCSchools should be closed publicly until March 13th.
...We're pretty sure @UFT didn't outright say @NYCSchools should be closed publicly until March 13th.
Mulgrew talking about the mess of the coronavirus remote learning lack of plan and how we educators had to figure it out.
...Yes, we have known this for five weeks, @UFT. We know we have challenges. Get to how you're fighting for educators, students, and families.
...Yes, we have known this for five weeks, @UFT. We know we have challenges. Get to how you're fighting for educators, students, and families.
Mulgrew is saying they're negotiating with @NYCMayor @DOEChancellor @NYGovCuomo around the 7 additional days we worked: asking for full compensation package: "we're doing that."
de Blasio and Cuomo still fighting over who has the authority to close schools for the rest of year.
de Blasio and Cuomo still fighting over who has the authority to close schools for the rest of year.
Mulgrew sharing there's lots of @UFT challenges with preference sheets, grading policy, next year's calendar, THIS YEAR'S calendar, current professional development days, whether they'll stay that way, etc. that we still don't have straight.
@DOEChancellor and Deputy Chancellors have been doing focus groups with @UFT to "actually talking to people who are doing the work" according to Mulgrew.
Mulgrew says @UFT May raises are still happening. "If there's a problem we'll advocate. We have the law on our side." But want to also be sensitive on the current political environment around people who've been laid off. "We've earned these raises."
Mulgrew of @UFT: Over 1,200 schools did school-based options changing calendar. SBO process: hoping to have that in place, having that secure so we know everyone has voted in schools, and 40 templates of SBO plans pre-approved. One of the top contract items used across schools.
Mulgrew of @UFT: talking now about summer school: "we have fulfilled our state obligation, our 180 days, so there is no extending our workday to summer." He wants UFT members to stop worrying.
...we lost Spring Break, so why should we have faith we won't lose summer as well?
...we lost Spring Break, so why should we have faith we won't lose summer as well?
In terms of traditional summer school, Mulgrew and @UFT are negotiating around how it'll look, whether remote learning or otherwise.
@DOEChancellor announced that, by the end of year we'll have a standardized grading policy: not out yet. Doesn't work across elem/mid/HS. Parents are concerned, esp. around Regents and SAT scores not happening. Official: attendance can't be used against students in grading. @UFT
On grading policy: students are facing so many things right now, including not being able to close out end-of-year, deaths in families, etc. Mulgrew: it isn't as simple as passing everyone: talking about needing academic interventions for specific students. So many indiv. cases.
Grading policy: "everything is political, and then everything becomes a political campaign." Have to do in a way that's thoughtful and makes sense based on the work students have done 'til remote learning. "Children can flourish, but can't be harmed." That's a good way to put it.
MORE believes no students should be harmed by the disaster crisis coronavirus remote learning situation.
Mulgrew's comments are much more informative than Mulgrew's first comments on April 1st where he was trying to placate members who'd just lost their Spring Break.
Mulgrew's comments are much more informative than Mulgrew's first comments on April 1st where he was trying to placate members who'd just lost their Spring Break.
Mulgrew now touting that in 2008 @UFT didn't have any layoffs, and that we were the only big union to have that. And saying now that we are fighting against layoffs.
MORE is concerned about excessing & budget cuts, which btw Mulgrew has not addressed yet in this almost-1/2 hour.
MORE is concerned about excessing & budget cuts, which btw Mulgrew has not addressed yet in this almost-1/2 hour.
Mulgrew talking about safety, with no proper equipment. "We can't have that happen again." We will do our legal actions on those safety issues.
Our @UFT members DIED because we were forced to go into the school buildings March 17th-19th, needlessly.
Our @UFT members DIED because we were forced to go into the school buildings March 17th-19th, needlessly.
Mulgrew now talking about "bad budgets." Mulgrew saying they got a fed budget lifeline: would've lost over a billion dollars. Now facing 2 budget problems: tax revenue didn't come in.
@UFT working with City Council. $827 mil in cuts should be from central, not from the schools.
@UFT working with City Council. $827 mil in cuts should be from central, not from the schools.
@UFT talking bout 2 lifeline budgets; City Council negotiating; larger federal budget to get things going again.
Going back to safety, MORE believes UFT did not do enough to get schools closed, ESPECIALLY those 3 days March 17th-19th. Because of meek @UFT leadership, the #coronavirus spread more widely in our schools than it should. And it's hit our 82 UFT members who've passed since.
Mulgrew: "there is going to be excessing this year." Likely "On a larger scale than we've had since the recession, which was 12 years ago." Going to do trainings with chapter leaders. Hiring freeze in place now, and excessed teachers will be moved to other schools. @UFT
From a MORE member: "$100 million proposed direct cuts to school budgets in de Blasio’s budget proposal which is not a done deal. Even if that passes, there will not be massive excessing. To say there “will be” excessing is crazy!" @UFT and Mulgrew needs to fight this.
@UFT call with Mulgrew...he's talking about safety, about vaccine, that we need some sort of evidence, have equipment and procedures done if schools reopen that ppl won't spread the coronavirus...
...how can we do that without enough #coronavirus testing?!
...how can we do that without enough #coronavirus testing?!
Mulgrew talking about a system if schools reopen buildings, "have to be blessed by medical professionals, not by politicians." Whether staggering schedules of students coming into school building, etc.
Agree that a plan needs to be in place, w/ educators, students, & fam input.
Agree that a plan needs to be in place, w/ educators, students, & fam input.
Mulgrew says he wants to start a petition and it will come out tomorrow. "I want all the social media to send it to their friends and parents and everyone else."
...Frankly lost on what the petition is about in Mulgrew's talking/rambling. It'll be out tomorrow. We'll find out.
...Frankly lost on what the petition is about in Mulgrew's talking/rambling. It'll be out tomorrow. We'll find out.
Last thing from Mulgrew before Qs (45 minutes into the call): to take care of ourselves. Mentions Member Assistance Program; we now have our social workers volunteering to help these people. More platitudes and praise for teachers and the social workers supporting @UFT members.
Ooh wee, tired after past 45 min. Better than the rambling from Mulgrew's @UFT Call April 1st, which was his/UFT's 1st member-facing call since schools closed March 16th & remote learning started March 23rd. Today's call is the 2nd member-facing call. Waiting on member Qs now.
Glad for that break in the call as the @UFT MAP program shared its services. Go check out the Member Assistance Program if you need supports right now.
Now about to report out the SCREENED member questions on this call...as soon as Mulgrew stops rambling.
Now about to report out the SCREENED member questions on this call...as soon as Mulgrew stops rambling.
We have SO many questions. On April 1st we had many members say they didn't get their question answered, ESP about Spring Break, which is what the call was about!
10,000 members on the @UFT Town Hall call right now.
10,000 members on the @UFT Town Hall call right now.
Member asking whether stance on live teaching has changed: @UFT Mulgrew and @DOEChancellor says there's NO mandate on live teaching; Exec Superintendents agree. Mulgrew says he'll be on consultation tm to address.
Let's make this clear: it is NOT mandated to do live teaching!
Let's make this clear: it is NOT mandated to do live teaching!
@UFT Nurse: will there be summer school for District 75 students? (Often have 12-month services, including summer school). Mulgrew: these are mandated services, and they're working out whether summer school will be done remotely or in-person. Working on getting info out ASAP.
Music teacher: worried that arts teachers will be 1st cut in budgets, as arts are often the 1st to go. @UFT Mulgrew: pitch @NYCSchools to take more ctrl of school budgets; promising fed package will ensure no layoffs.
...Not a great answer given who's leading the Ed Dept/45...
...Not a great answer given who's leading the Ed Dept/45...
Back to that petition we weren't sure about: @UFT Mulgrew mentioned this petition in the delegate assembly yesterday. it’s supposedly calling on our electeds to support a testing/evidence package before schools can even contemplate opening again 1/2
In order to open back schools, specialists in news reports say that we'd need to reach a high level of immunity status. And widely administered tests. So, even start of fall reopening of schools looks dubious. @UFT call now 2/2
Mulgrew on Zoom: he's "very angry" at them. He doesn't know functionality of Google Meets (maybe cuz he doesn't have to use it regularly like educators do?) And now wants focus groups to start next week on this. As @joelfrominwood said, way to focus group to kill democracy, @UFT!
Wonder what kind of teacher Mulgrew was when he was back in the classroom. He was lecturing (giving some important info, we might add) at 10,000 @UFT Members for 50 minutes before FINALLY taking questions.
Mulgrew would have failed under our current teacher evaluations!
Mulgrew would have failed under our current teacher evaluations!
Teacher asked to promote Census as it's really important (we agree). Mulgrew also agreed.
We also wish Mulgrew, who claimed on this @UFT call to want to close schools March 6th, actually pushed to close schools then, and NOT March 13th, WHILE ALSO pushing for the Census!
We also wish Mulgrew, who claimed on this @UFT call to want to close schools March 6th, actually pushed to close schools then, and NOT March 13th, WHILE ALSO pushing for the Census!
Teacher asking 4 @UFT consultation agenda: being made to record staff attendance and work daily. Mulgrew asked her to email UFT directly.
This is the problem- instead of addressing larger inequities w/ schools/admin & building our power, leadership only deal w/ it themselves.
This is the problem- instead of addressing larger inequities w/ schools/admin & building our power, leadership only deal w/ it themselves.
@UFT Mulgrew answering Q from teacher around observations/evals: they're working on APPR process being waived for rest of year. Admin can pop into classrooms anytime, it's within their rights, but OFFICIAL: admin don't have a right to observe teachers right now.
@UFT is working on making sure teachers are not harmed during this process if there's no teacher evaluation process for the rest of the year. If APPR is waived teachers will not be evaluated for the rest of the year and observations will be cancelled.
We agree with this.
We agree with this.
@UFT Mulgrew: October retro pay is still on. Municipalities have all fought against these lump-sum payments and all but one have lost. So expect your October retro payment. Teachers earned it.
Teacher asking if they'll be forced to switch licenses (e.g. ELL to special ed) during excessing. @UFT Mulgrew: we don't believe in these shenanigans. Fight and file a grievance on this, based on the rules. Says we'll win them all.
...GRIEVANCES ARE CURRENTLY FROZEN!!! 🤦🤦♂️🤦♀️
...GRIEVANCES ARE CURRENTLY FROZEN!!! 🤦🤦♂️🤦♀️
Last @UFT call question: will tenure be granted? Mulgrew says yes, you will get it granted. No clear details on that.
Some MORE members have shared they're submitting electronic tenure portfolios, but seems to depend on their districts.
Some MORE members have shared they're submitting electronic tenure portfolios, but seems to depend on their districts.
@UFT Mulgrew ending the call with platitudes, to take care of ourselves as teachers. That we're not "childcare." About what we educators have pulled off.
Would be more helpful if the @UFT @DOEChancellor were clearer in communicating/supporting teducators in making this work.
Would be more helpful if the @UFT @DOEChancellor were clearer in communicating/supporting teducators in making this work.
Number of issues still not clear-
-admin expectations across schools/districts w/ inequitable conditions
-compensation package for 7 days lost
-tenure process for educators up for tenure
-grievances- are they still suspended or what?
-other tech that we are/not supposed to use 1/
-admin expectations across schools/districts w/ inequitable conditions
-compensation package for 7 days lost
-tenure process for educators up for tenure
-grievances- are they still suspended or what?
-other tech that we are/not supposed to use 1/
Issues still not clear from @UFT call:
-UFT legal battle/s around safety/deaths of educators and coronavirus
-what grading policies UFT will advocate for specifically
-what summer school will look like, esp. for D75 students w/ 12-month services
-tchr attendance policies 2/
-UFT legal battle/s around safety/deaths of educators and coronavirus
-what grading policies UFT will advocate for specifically
-what summer school will look like, esp. for D75 students w/ 12-month services
-tchr attendance policies 2/
Issues still not clear from @UFT call:
-Mulgrew says we won't have to teach summer school, which is on everyone's minds, as we've passed the 180 days, but we worked Spring Break anyways, so where's the proof?
-if/when/how school buildings will reopen, and what plan in place 3/
-Mulgrew says we won't have to teach summer school, which is on everyone's minds, as we've passed the 180 days, but we worked Spring Break anyways, so where's the proof?
-if/when/how school buildings will reopen, and what plan in place 3/
Issues still not clear from @UFT call:
-what petition that'll be released tomorrow will be specifically about
-what excessing will look like, esp. since Mulgrew demands there will be no layoffs, esp. since Mulgrew seems dependent on a fed financial package to avoid layoffs 4/
-what petition that'll be released tomorrow will be specifically about
-what excessing will look like, esp. since Mulgrew demands there will be no layoffs, esp. since Mulgrew seems dependent on a fed financial package to avoid layoffs 4/
Issues made clear by @UFT call:
-there WILL be excessing
-live teaching is NOT mandated
-admin can NOT observe teachers right now for the teacher eval process, although they can pop into classrooms whenever they want as per their right
-we WILL get fed money (we don't agree) 5/
-there WILL be excessing
-live teaching is NOT mandated
-admin can NOT observe teachers right now for the teacher eval process, although they can pop into classrooms whenever they want as per their right
-we WILL get fed money (we don't agree) 5/
Issues made clear by @UFT Call:
-The Census DOES matter (yes, it does, but closing schools should've been NUMBER ONE on the top priorities list prior to March 13th)
-tenure WILL be granted this year (again, deets not specified)
-teacher attendance should be weekly, not daily 6/
-The Census DOES matter (yes, it does, but closing schools should've been NUMBER ONE on the top priorities list prior to March 13th)
-tenure WILL be granted this year (again, deets not specified)
-teacher attendance should be weekly, not daily 6/
Issues made clear by @UFT call:
-Mulgrew likes rambling, platitudes about educators, how hardworking we are, around self-care, while also not fighting for our Spring Break/holidays, which is why educators are rightfully concerned about their summer being taken away 7/
-Mulgrew likes rambling, platitudes about educators, how hardworking we are, around self-care, while also not fighting for our Spring Break/holidays, which is why educators are rightfully concerned about their summer being taken away 7/
Issues made clear by @UFT Town Hall Call:
-10,000 educators on the call just now, either because they really love their union OR, we venture to guess, UFT members are really unclear and unhappy with remote learning and UFT's response to it and wish there were clearer guidance 8/
-10,000 educators on the call just now, either because they really love their union OR, we venture to guess, UFT members are really unclear and unhappy with remote learning and UFT's response to it and wish there were clearer guidance 8/
Issues made clear by @UFT Town Hall Call:
-UFT and Mulgrew really like their focus groups, and likes praising @DOEChancellor and Deputy chancellors' focus groups- as if asking members directly what they think and want isn't maybe a better option, or democratic, or good?! 9/
-UFT and Mulgrew really like their focus groups, and likes praising @DOEChancellor and Deputy chancellors' focus groups- as if asking members directly what they think and want isn't maybe a better option, or democratic, or good?! 9/
Issues still not clear after @UFT Town Hall:
-calendar for THIS school year. Will professional development days still happen?
-calendar for NEXT school year. Frankly, it's hard to plan that now.
-how will proposed $827 mil in @NYCSchools cuts affect schools down the line? 11/
-calendar for THIS school year. Will professional development days still happen?
-calendar for NEXT school year. Frankly, it's hard to plan that now.
-how will proposed $827 mil in @NYCSchools cuts affect schools down the line? 11/
UFT says May raises & Oct retro still on, btw.
That's all, folks, on @UFT Town Hall. While we'd like Mulgrew to actually fight rather than be "angry" (looking at Zoom/Spring Break), the call was more informative than 4/1 when he didn't answer a single Q about Spring Break. 12/12
That's all, folks, on @UFT Town Hall. While we'd like Mulgrew to actually fight rather than be "angry" (looking at Zoom/Spring Break), the call was more informative than 4/1 when he didn't answer a single Q about Spring Break. 12/12
