By now we all know that the union leadership secretly negotiated a new two year ATR Agreement, without ATR input or participation, along with an inferior and insulting buyout incentive. However, the new ATR Agreement doesn't spell out many of the issues that ATRs experience during the year.
First, will there be field supervisors and how will their duties change with the new ATR Agreement? The information supplied by the union and the DOE makes no mention of the field supervise issue. I suspect that the ATR field supervisor responsibilities will be similar to this school year. However, its possible the actual rating officer will be the school Principal, assuming the ATRs are placed in a school for the long-term.
Second, will the rotation end? Or will those ATRs who won their 3020-a termination hearings be rotated while the ATRs from closing schools and programs will be "forced placed"? It certainly appears that is what the DOE has in mind by reserving the right not to place ATRs who were disciplined.
Third, why did the union leadership agree to allow the DOE to place elementary and middle school ATRs into other districts in the Borough? Why didn't the union ask those ATRs for thewir opinion?
Finally, why didn't the union negotiate the right for ATRs to have mutual consent and reject a "forced placement"? The reason is that the union leadership knew very well that given the vote, ATRs would overwhelmingly reject the "forced placement" and the ATR Agreement.
The main reason the union leadership did not consult the ATRs and refuse them proper representation is that the ATRs remind all teachers how the union sold the ATRs out back in 2005. When then UFT President, Randi Wiengarten, and her propaganda minister, Leo Casey, told the members that the DOE would never pay for ATRs salary without a classroom and would push principals to hire them. How wrong they were. Moreover, they said the newly created Open Market Transfer System would allow all teachers to sell themselves to desperate schools who needed veteran teachers. Of course, the opposite is true. In fact the UFT lie about how successful the Open Market System is still echoed by Gene Mann in his online newspaper, The Organizer, who claims that 4,000 teachers transfer through it every year. Of course he fails to mention few, if any veteran teachers, get positions through it.
As for the Chapter Leaders? While the union will still occasionally, in their Chapter Leader newsletter, mention to the Chapter Leaders to welcome the ATRs to their school and make sure they have a bathroom key, an elevator pass, and a safe place to store their belongings? Most ATRs never meet the Chapter Leaders unless the ATR actively seeks them out to complain about not being treated like other teachers at the school. In this semester, I have been sent to three schools and have not met any of the Chapter Leaders. Only one school offered me an elevator pass and a bathroom key. None of the schools offered me a safe place for my belongings. No wonder the UFT newspaper never mentions the ATRs or their issues it just reminds the teachers of how shabby the ATRs are treated.
The union leadership can continue the fiction that the ATR is a temporary condition but some senior ATRs have been one for over a decade, that is not temporary and depriving them of their own chapter and Chapter Leader is a disservice to the ATRs since the school Chapter Leaders and the ATRs are, as South Bronx blog points out is like two ships passing in the night when it comes to properl representing the ATRs.
Thought the ATR situation would go away but it has become a lucrative job for: Mr. Asher, field sups, DOE HR ( who do not even send us emails on time!), and UFT ( Amy and her crew).
ReplyDeleteI have been at the same school since December and must walk with my personal belongings all the time! This happens in each school I am assigned to!
Why should there be a pay incentive if principals get ATRS for free for a year? If DOE wanted substance and stability in the schools we would have been placed long ago! UFT should be ashamed but can turn it around with input from people like you CHAZ!!!
Large turnover in the schools hurts the students and success of any school!
I want people that really understand the plight of the ATRS representing my concerns at the UFT! All members should stand with the ATRS!!
ReplyDeleteMOBILIZE NOW!!!
MOBILIZE NOW!!!!
It is a dumping ground for experienced teachers which is discriminatory. We know that some have been targeted because they are senior teachers. Field supervisors are also harassing and discriminating against senior teachers. The Labor Department should investigate the UFT, and the DOE for discriminatory practices, In all the agreements made while les qualified and inexperienced teachers got hired year after year. A PERB complaint on behalf of the ATRs is also necessary. Our schools are suffering also because so many experienced teachers are being pushed out. If they were not fired they shouldn't be in this position.
ReplyDeleteJust another disgrace of the Union for not treating its experienced teachers with respect, and differently from the younger teachers. ATRs, the silent victims of closing and opening schools, the fair student act, and of abusive principals who are trying to push out experienced teachers.
ReplyDeleteThey do not even consider an ATR being observed out of license a violation.
DeletePeople like mulgrew and Amy really disgust me. Amy will at least return emails but will slant everything towards how great the uft is.
ReplyDeleteThis year, I applied to 65 openings. Not one call back.
I emailed every one of those principals a resume. The only email I received was from a principal who said I had no right to email him and to apply via open market.
The uft told me to go to each school individually. I said when. No response.
The uft also told me principals only post on open market bc they have to.
Our union is a bunch of shills.
I'm starting to believe we would be better off without them
They will lie to you all the time. I had to fax them an observation report 5 times, the previous 4 tines they said they never got it.
DeleteChaz, great picture and the post is on the money when it comes to the Chapter Leaders.
ReplyDeleteMulgrew and Farina I'm not taking 50 thou to disappear, you'll have to do a lot better.
ReplyDeleteThe Queens UFT office is discouraging ATRs from filing grievances, and they are also are not enforcing the contract.
ReplyDeleteCan we sue the Union for improper and discriminatory practices like having ATRs being observed by supervisors in questionable settings.
ReplyDeleteThe disparate treatment of a group of teachers should be a reason to open an investigation by the Labor Department, o the EEOC.
ReplyDeleteSo, why aren't they doing anything?
DeleteThe ATRs are too lazy and coddled to organize and sue the DOE. I no longer feel sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteThose in the ATR status will wait for you to become ATR as well. You will be received with open arms because you will be the saviour. Another person with an ego.
Delete@5:57 thank you. I can't take it anymore either. I used to feel sorry or concerned for ATR's but now it's pity me all the way. Boo Hoodoo Hoodoo. So sick of reading to but then again this is the ATR headquarters. Years go by and no one is smart enough to gather all the ATR's on the front steps of Tweed and call Edelman at the Post for the story and a class action suit. No one can figure this out! You should all be ashamed winning etc when you can actually stand up and do something. But go ahead, keep blaming the union. It's so much easier.
ReplyDeleteATRs are taking all the discriminatory practices. They should sue the UFT also by not acting in good faith.
DeleteWhy doesn't 'permanent' staff stand up for themselves. Instead, ATRS have to listen to all their complaining and whining. Don't judge and let people express themselves just like 'permanent' staff do. Goodness, 'permanent' staff look pathetic. Right back to you.
Delete8:46, The UFT is being well paid to represent us which it has deemed not to. Teachers are for the most part, especially veteran teachers like ATRs, intellectuals, socially inept and easily intimidated. There are however ATRs taking legal action. It's not being advertised by anyone, but there's a waiver on the buyout for a reason. I hate the UFT not because I blame them, but because it has betrayed us. Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely collaborating to get rid of teachers.
Delete846
ReplyDeleteLike I've told Amy Arundell. Why pay dues not to be represented fairly?
Amy is an informant, and does not help. Policies need to change.
DeleteDon't wait on the UFT to act on behalf of the ATR's and file a formal complaint for age discrimination. This will have to involve a class action when ATR's unite.
ReplyDeleteThe UFT already knows that experienced teachers are being targeted everywhere, they are collaborating with the DOE.
DeleteThe Union by being complicit with the DOE are destroying our schools, and neglecting our students.
ReplyDeleteThe Union by not defending its most experienced teachers is doinhlg a disservice to NYC students.
ReplyDeleteATRs will never unite. There's no one to organize them. (Portelos was vilified.) That's why the UFT denies them a chapter.
ReplyDeleteThe UFT denies them a chapter, and negotiates bad deals because they want ATRs gone. Please do not lie.
DeleteJust look at the comments. Divide and then conquer
ReplyDeleteUnited we failed together to bring back the dignity and respect for ATRs.
DeleteMembers are kept in the dark while the Union leadership negotiates bad deals to get rid of ATRs.
DeleteI was observed after June 2nd. I was surprised because I thought there were no more observation after that date. I called the UFT to complain but they said that rule does not apply to ATRs. and that the supervisors can observe you even on the last day of class. This is how the DOE & UFT sees the ATRs, 2nd class citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the dysfunctional DOE wants atrs gone proves that they are not for children/students but rather the love of money. Why else would the DOE want to rid some of their best teachers?? Experienced teachers with classroom management skills, state regents exams prep wizards, masters of teaching the students who are so clueless that putting a 22 year old newbie in front of kids from the hood is hysterical!!! Anyone can just peep into one of those classes and you will freak...
ReplyDeleteThe fact of the matter is that the slogan "students first" is such bull shit and the DOE should be ashamed of themselves! I would never send my kid to a nycdoe school to listen to some 22 year old clueless newbie who is not far removed from the students they are teaching.... SO sad doe.
703 yes they want you to fear till the last day! Once again proving the UFT wants you guys out. Discrimination!!!
ReplyDelete'Permanent' staff are not secure either. It's time to stop point fingers btwn ATR and permanent staff because together we are a strong force. Whatever affects ATRS affects permanent staff because at the snap of a finger anyone can get into the ATR pool. As an ATR I have defended my department against administration when I see things that go against the contract, not that it is appreciated. When I was permanent staff before becoming a person in the ATR pool my department advocated for themselves. Don't see that anymore. Permanent staff need to ADVOCATE for themselves and involve the union.
DeleteThe Queens UFT office is the most corrupt, they reject every grievance even if there are violations. They will protect a Principal like Dwarka even if teachers claims are legitimate.
ReplyDelete