The UFT leadership has been using scare tactics that if Janus is upheld by the Supreme Court, our collective bargaining rights and pensions could be in danger. They point to what happened in Wisconsin in 2011 as the example.
Wisconsin passed Act 10 that eliminated all union negotiating rights, except for raises limited to the inflation rate. That meant that all other issues like health benefits, job protections, and work rules were non-negotiable, The result is that union power was significantly eroded and despite still being able to negotiate limited raises, the raises have been smaller and even making teaching jobs non-competitive and resulted in high teacher turnover. You can read what ACT 10 did to educators Here.
Wisconsin's Act 10 eliminated collective bargaining and saw a significant reduction in union membership. One study showed a reduction of 40%! Since Act 10 allows members to "opt out" of paying union dues and many members did so.
By contrast, New York State is a union friendly state and collective bargaining will still be in force, regardless of the Janus decision. While theoretically if the Republicans somehow take over all three branches in New York State, and try to change the rules is always possible. The likelihood of this happening is slim since the State Assembly has always been dominated by the Democrats. Moreover, any changes in the State Constitution will have to wait another twenty years for the next Constitutional Convention. Finally, any legislative changes would also be subject to court challenges that could ne tied up in the courts for years.
The bottom line is that what happened in Wisconsin will not happen in New York State, regardless of the Janus decision.
14 comments:
Ah, yes, I remember Barack Obama keeping the "promise" he made in 2008 to put on his "comfortable shoes" and join strikers on picket lines. And I remember him doing everything he could to help public sector workers in Wisconsin in 2011. Good times.
Oh, wait...
Refusing to pay union dues will make our union listen to its members.
Maybe that is the only way to stimulate reform-real reform.
Chaz, if you have a better idea, let's hear it.
In a world where Trump is president, I trust no one.
Wisconsin used to be Union friendly.
Cuomo does not like Unions. He has screwed them over plenty. Will it be as bad as Wisconsin-hopefully no.
So, please don't be pollyanna about this. It's not going to be good.
As Chaz mentions, our pensions are covered by the NYS constitution. Also. our medical benefits apply to all municipal workers and would not go away if the UFT crumbles. The city of New York pays for our medical, not the UFT. DO NOT BELIEVE any UFT shill who tries to tell you otherwise. I also agree that the only way to get the UFT to listen to it's members is to refuse to pay dues until they step to the plate. There really seems to be no other way at this time. (Other than a strike which is not only illegal, it will never happen)
chaz is correct. New York State's worker protections make it unlikely that what happendd in Wisconsin can happen here.
Scott Walker here in NYC would get whipped with a stick like chucky in the movie whipping scott walker to go and get some money from the koch bros
Never--never --never--take anything for granted.
The UFT is too busy with social justice causes and Leftist politics to bother with us educators anymore.
They have no time to help teachers because there are victims out there who need active protestors and 'advocates.'
Come on people! Don't you know we live a brave new world now where everything comes down to revolution?
@5:07 do you read what you write. what you propose requires UNITY and BALLS something most nyshitty teachers are sorely lacking in! Only 60 or 70 ATRS filled out the complaint and of those I believe 30 paid the lawyers fee. nyshitty teachers are all talk no action. chaz seems like the leader.
Anon 7:27
You are an uninformed coward and a Unity hack.
“ Wisconsin passed Act 10 that eliminated all union negotiating rights, except for raises limited to the inflation rate”
UFT 5A with a Masters, May 2008 = $56,048 - May 2017 = $63,733 … CPI adjusted = $62,635 a whopping 98 dollar difference in our favor. 4 dollars per pay check
UFT 8B Ma + 30 May 2008 = $95,202 - May 2017 = $108,251 … CPI adjusted = $113,039
Our most senior, well-educated teachers are behind inflation by $5,058 or about $195 per paycheck.
So we have been being screwed for quite some time, without Act 10. We listen to inept leadership sell us terrible contracts that many chose not to investigate.
As Walt Kelly wrote, "We have met the enemy and he is us"
Right on Dr. Dru!!!
Seems the ATR lawsuit has been extended until the end of the month. Care to chime in on that chaz? Just like I said MOST nyshitty babysitters are all talk and no action!
I hope they win.
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