One of the more closely held secrets that the DOE and UFT keep from the members is the number and demographics of the ATR pool. While its common knowledge that the ATR pool is usually composed of senior teachers of between 1,100 and 1,500 members, getting real and accurate numbers out of the two organizations is like getting water from a rock in the desert. Next to impossible. The last number the media was given was 822 ATRs in the pool. Of course this did not include the ATRs who are provisionally placed and will be excessed at the end of the school year.
Last night, UFT {President, Michael Mulgrew, at the Delegate Assembly, blurted out that after a year and a half of secret negotiations, they came up with an ATR buyout incentive that made 962 of the 1,100 ATRs eligible for up to $50,000 that's not pensionable and still get their retro payments by retiring. While, its possible that few of the 962 are not of retirement age , I suspect most are.
Sure, some of the 962 ATRs are leaving the system due to either being under 3020-a charges, or moving out of the Metropolitan area, but not many. The vast majority of eligible ATRs are 55 years of age and over, is it 70%, 75%, 80%? Whatever the percentage is, let's say that every three out of four ATRs are of retirement age in the eligible ATR pool. What we now know the 822 figure is a phony number that tries to fool the media by falsely showing the the DOE and UFT are succeeding in reducing the ATR pool, when the real numbers have remained relatively stable over the years.
Finally, and most interestingly, Michael Mulgrew failed to mention how the union negotiators, without ATR participation, rolled over like a trained puppy dog and agreed to let the DOE to continue to abuse the ATRs by doing the following:
- Allowed the DOE a second bite of the apple by keeping two ATR lists, one for ATRs excessed from closing schools or programs and the other who won their discipline hearings and only hire from the excessed list.
- Agreed to "force place" ATRs in vacancies or long-term leaves without mutual consent.
- Agreed to let the DOE keep their "Scarlet Letter" on ATRs who had substantiated OSI or SCI investigations only to have those charges found to be untrue at the 3020-a hearing.
- Allowed the DOE to move Elementary and Middle school ATRs to other Districts in the Borough.
- Ignored the DOE practice of not offering per session grading for ATRs.
- Supported the DOE in making ATRs second class citizens.
31 comments:
Most ATRs are great teachers. If they considered the amount on money being spent on constantly retraining new hires that quit after three to five years it's much more than allowing ATRs to teach. I've been in a great school all of the semester. I went to the principal and asked him to hire me for next year. He said no. They aren't planning on placing anyone permanently; you'll be subbing.
Mulgrew lies so much he doesn't even know the truth anymore.
That's ok. I'm sure he will wind up like his bro Sheldon silver and get caught on corruption charges soon
The ATR buyout is not pensionable because the ATR demographics would become available through the actuarial valuation
of the cost of the buyout. The demographics are kept secret so as to avoid an embarrassing and costly legal defeat to the ATRs for age discrimination.
Mulgrew should be an ATR for a while, and he should be observed out of license in a class od students he does not now. He would have another perspective if he would be harassed by a filed supervisor who cannot write an observation report without errors everywhere.
Oh my...
NO UFT SLUGS AT MY SCHOOL SINCE BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK! Yep, none, and I mean no UFT reps at all have come to my school since right before Christmas break which was when the UFT sold us out with the 4 observations when every other school district in NYS got 2 observations for tenured teachers. I can't wait to give those UFT Unity slugs an earful when they come by my school come September when they push against the Constitutional Convention. I will be the first person to tell them how much I and the rest of the teachers at my school remember how they sold us out on the evaluations. Hey UFT: We don't forget!!!
Chaz I think you forgot the latest disgrace on your list. ATR's are no longer free the 1st year, etc
At my old job, in the middle of a labor-management type meeting, the head guy blurted out some "privileged" information. We all heard, it caused a panic. Eventually, because of this or a regime change, the head guy was off to the side and left.
@11:13 What do you mean ATR's are not free free the 1st year?
The inconvenient truth... The ATR demographics paint an alarming picture of age and race discrimination.
Why wouldn't our Uft leader want us to know the demographics of ATRs? Isn't he suppose to be on our side, protecting our interest. There really needs to be a class action lawsuit against the UFt and the DOE. I'm considering one against UFt, I'm so tired of Vasquez and the Queens UFt office unable to answer my questions and having to get answers from this blog. But yet they don't forget to take out dues out of my paycheck.
Don't bother trying to get your ATR rating via the link sent today, it's SNAFU, have to try Monday.
Not sure I understand. Schools excess people each year for many different reasons. These teachers are of all ages and they get thrown into the ATR pool. It is virtually impossible for anyone to get a job through the open market. Initially the ATR pool was made up of older teachers but as time goes on there will be more of a mixed bag.
Excess rules must change period. Why continue to hire new teachers before ATRS are placed?
SENSELESS!
What does this mean @11:13?
One of the things you mention is "Not allowing ATRs per session grading." I applied to grade the Global History. Virtually everyone I know that applied was accepted. I haven't received anything. Is this because I am ATR status? This seems fairly wrong, if true, that I am being denied the opportunity to make more money because I am an ATR. Is this a fairly common practice? Because in the past I know schools were always looking for people to grade per session, even accepting people who just said yes the day of.
I keep reading about two lists of ATRS...Will one group not be placed for the year?
I used to make a lot of money doing per session, that's all been cut off because I'm an ATR. They aren't even sending ATRs out to grade Regent's exams during working hours, where it won't cost an extra dime.. It's clearly discrimination - opportunities have been denied us and we are purposely segregated.
11:31 ATR's are no longer free to principals at a school. In their first year if hired they were totally free, paid for through central and not out of the school budget. The second year the school would pick up 50% of the ATR's salary and I believe 25% the 3rd year. Secret negotiations removed this entire process. The ATR's are no longer discounted to hire as incentive to reduce pool. If you want to hire an ATR now it will come out of school budget. I have no idea why Chaz hasn't brought this up.
5:03pm
My understanding is that the second group who come from discipline, are only placed when the first group is exhausted in that subject.
Chaz,
I can't get my rating? Is this DOE bungling or is it just me?
Let's be clear. The previous DOE incentive is expected to be changed for the 2017-18 school year, depending on how many ATRs take the buyout. Therefore, the revised incentive will not occur until the DOE digests the buyout response.
This reeks of something...21st century...USA...this is how union professionals are treated.
Discrimination
Realize that everything being done and offered to ATRs is with full knowledge of the UFT to get ATRs scared and running. After the success or failure of their initiatives, an entirely different plan will be enacted than is being imparted, which will be basically the same as we have now. Leave on your terms, whenever you want. Mulgrew is much smarter than he appears, and has carefully cultivated fear with ATRs by what he has said and not said. No meetings, secret deals, the refusal of an ATR chapter, no input from ATRs, and a 50K offer to retire. 'Say nothing Amy, let's see how many fish will be caught. A win-win for everyone, except the fish.'
Absolutely! Agree with your statement 10:34PM: "Leave on your terms, whenever you want." In the meantime, find fulfillment in a personal and professional level outside the DOE. Always do the right thing during your assignments and document everything.
UFT made a big mistake in dropping the age discrimination lawsuit. Read somewhere that the union prez' scandal might have played a part in this, as well as, other factors am sure. Does anyone know why the age discrimination lawsuit was dropped by our union?
The UFT leadership got something in return.
Mulgrew is not that smart, people know he is a collaborator in getting rid of teachers.
What did the union get in return?
The union leadership cares little about the rank and file. They care about themselves that's why we have an ATR pool in the first place.
Or maybe somebody has some dirt on Mulgrew, that is why so many secret agreements.
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