tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477669229969550311.post1348692576906078129..comments2024-03-12T11:58:18.978-04:00Comments on Accountable Talk: Can Unity Be Dethroned? Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477669229969550311.post-37220888430019487892012-12-11T16:03:17.334-05:002012-12-11T16:03:17.334-05:00It is absolutely on us who are paying attention to...It is absolutely on us who are paying attention to what is going on to inform our colleagues about what they SHOULD already know. I ask my fellow teachers about the evaluation on their doorstep and I get "huh?" I will continue to pass the information and try to get as many teachers to really look at what is going on here.zenonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477669229969550311.post-3506365424708635892012-12-11T01:26:36.716-05:002012-12-11T01:26:36.716-05:00Word spreads slowly until there is a crisis -- and...Word spreads slowly until there is a crisis -- and then wham. Like Chicago they were firing teachers from closing schools and it still took years for things to snowball. <br />So MORE needs to use the election to compete and also to build awareness.<br />MORE has held monthly meetings since last February in hopes of building that infrastructure. A key is a massive ability to reach teachers at the school level through their mailboxes. <br />MORE is an open and democratic organization --- unlike Unity and the UFT. As anyone knows that takes work and time. Democracy can be messy but we want even a person who shows up for the first time to feel the channels are open for them to get involved to whatever extent they feel they can. Decisions must be made in an open and democratic manner -- I don't want to be involved in any org that functions like Unity -- and that process is not for impatient people.<br /><br />Since I took the position we should not run I do want to point out that I totally support the effort but am also focused on making sure the structures are built so things continue after the election no matter what happens. Even though Kit and James (the last 2 Pres cand from ICE/TJC) are involved MORE has a new generation of leaders like Julie, Brian, Sam, Rosie, Emily -- a nice blend of old and new. The blending given that people from NYCORE, ICE, GEM, TJC and independents are coming together takes some time given different politics and attitudes. <br />I urge people to take a look at the structure of the UFT and how these elections are set up --- the use of at-large voting where everyone in the union including non teachers and retirees votes for most positions insures one party dominance. Unless a major % of people actually vote this time which could shake things up. So get out the vote is important -- remind people in your school once the ballots are sent out.<br />The Chicago experience is worth looking at -- CORE won 1/3 of the vote and made it to a run-off --and retirees don't vote there while we have a winner take all system in NYC. A major component of the campaign will be to make the UFT's system known to as many people as possible. The higher the MORE vote is the less able Unity will be to sell us out. I know Tweed at the top levels were concerned about the Chicago strike and if MORE makes a move watch Tweed support Unity.<br />ed notes onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477669229969550311.post-31586562929057649882012-12-10T19:46:52.010-05:002012-12-10T19:46:52.010-05:00I circulated a paper petition at my school today. ...I circulated a paper petition at my school today. It's on it's way to the MORE headquarters. Teachers must spread the word!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477669229969550311.post-56048134263010977102012-12-10T18:40:35.230-05:002012-12-10T18:40:35.230-05:00I've been doing my part and spreading the word...I've been doing my part and spreading the word. It is sadly amazing how little my peers know! I've personally talked to about 30 individuals in my school. Perhaps a handful knew a new evaluation might be coming. No one heard of MORE - not one! Sadly, and it hurts to admit this, I get the feeling of great indifference among the ones I have talked to. I have spread the word and the petition via FB - only five teachers have signed from the list of perhaps 20 or more I shared with - will see how many I have personally talked to have signed on later. It's frustrating to say the least. I literally have to stop myself from telling them to "WAKE UP!" I am not going to cause a "scene" yet there is part of me that wants to. Hoping others are spreading the word as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com