Rubber Room Teachers Sue The DOE - Where Is The UFT?

The ever increasing teachers being reassigned to the "rubber room" have decided to fight back. On Monday January 21st, fifteen teachers have filed suit that the DOE's abuse of the contract has caused an unreasonable increase in reassigned teachers. While I'm not optimistic that the teachers will win their lawsuit, it's about time that somebody took on the DOE.

For the delusional who think the UFT is fighting for them. Guess again. The UFT reminds me of the Kennedy administration when they told the Cuban refugees that they will support them during the "Bay of Pigs" invasion. When the Cuban refugees landed on the beach and were subject to Cuban firepower, the Americans were nowhere to be found. Oops, did we say we had your back? I guess there was a misunderstanding.

The UFT allows the DOE to violate the contract when it sees fit. How many grievances are not heard in a timely fashion? How many teachers are not charged in the period specified in the contract? Finally, why does the UFT allow principals to remove teachers on frivolous charges?

Randi Weingarten, rather than supporting the lawsuit by the teachers, has stated that she is bringing her own proposals to the DOE. Nice try Randi. Talk is cheap and so far the only thing we got from you is talk, talk, talk. Results? None to my knowledge. The UFT reminds me of the doctor who said the operation was successful. However, the patient died.

It seems every month the DOE comes up with some anti-teacher initiative that surprises the UFT. Why?

Until the UFT becomes proactive, look for the DOE to continue to ride roughshod on the disrespected rank and file.