Governor Andrew Cuomo cancelled Easter vacation for schools throughout New York State and now New York City teachers only will get April 9th (Holy Thursday) and April 10th (Good Friday) off. The next week will be some form of professional development that will be negotiated between our union and the DOE. This is effectively a 2% pay cut due to the extra days added to the school calendar.
More bad news, the New York City death toll due to the coronavirus is now 1,096 and the total infected is 41,771. The death rate is now 2.6% of the total infected in New York City. This is an increase from 2.4% yesterday and that is a concern. Read the New York Post article Here.
New York State has 83,712 people infected by the coronavirus as of Wednesday morning and 1,941 deaths which is a 2.3% mortality rate.
Mulgrew-Carranza and de Blasio are tied be blamed for this.
ReplyDeleteThe death rate is 2.6% of the total REPORTED infected. Lots of us are walking around asymptomatic, not having been tested. Any of us could be among them.
ReplyDeleteBefore everyone bitches and moans about working through Spring Break lets put things into perspective. First of all we are all still drawing a paycheck when some 37 million Americans are facing possible unemployment. Three million are already unemployed. Sitting at home on a computer is easy. Most of us would be doing same anyway. We are not being asked to show up at hospitals as are the doctors and nurses. We are not delivering food supplies. We are not keeping the power on. We are keeping a connection with the K-12 students in NY. It’s not the work that is important, but the psychological comfort we provide. It is not like you are 18 years old 75 years ago being sent to invade Okinawa today. Today is the 75th anniversary of the launching of the Battle of Okinawa in which thousands of young American men were killed or wounded in a horrific struggle.
ReplyDeleteDo I like Cuomo? No. The guy is a total douche. He hates teachers. He sent us into infected schools. I don’t get why is popular. He should never ever be allowed to be president.
the real struggle is coming.
We should do the work, yes, but be compensated. We can't chose our vacation so when it is taken away, and not moved to a different date...we should be compensated.. FDNY cancelled all vacations right now...but they can take them at a later date...nobody should be asked to work for free...it sets a precedent.
DeleteARE WE NOW SLAVE LABOR?
ReplyDeleteOR DO WE GET PAID PER SESSION?
@7:53 am: As a descendant of slaves, i wouldn't characterize this situation as a similarity.
DeleteSame here. We are celebrating our freedom from Egyptian bondage next week and the holiday was taken from us
Delete7:31, the official Unity explanation. Get some of the bullets off of a cheat sheet?
ReplyDelete"for districts to continue instruction during previously negotiated breaks on school calendars, teacher unions must agree to the change, in exchange for future compensation off"
ReplyDeleteDavid Albert-nyssba
NYC Educator - Absolutely Correct (Iceland, FWIW, has done massive and random testing to determine at least 50% who have the virus are completely (!) asymptomatic...not to mention the huge proportion with minor symptoms who don't bother with a test and self-resolve...but also can easily spread the disease...so we have no idea of the actual death rate except that it is much lower than 2.6%)
ReplyDeleteThe dingbat teachers who are hooked on live classroom performances via zoom/Google Hangout/etc. will have to control themselves and give a week-long project or assignment over the Spring Break.
What about Jewish teachers and Passover?
ReplyDeleteCuomo didn't send us into schools, in fact he put an end to it.
ReplyDeleteDeblasio was the one that didn't cancel school, or advocate for us. Mulgrew was useless as well....
@7:31. I think this is famous poem:
ReplyDeleteFirst they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
For the last 15 - 20 years conditions for teachers have steadily eroded. This does not happen over night. If we do not speak out, conditions for teachers years from now will be ridiculous.
@11:06 am...yes. first they came for the students (diploma mills) and few spoke up (interview some ATRS)...
DeleteExactly. Conditions continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate. The DOE’s intense hatred of teachers gets worse every year. As for the fool who tried to justify this: I do not work for free!
DeleteThe point about Passover is a good point. I'm not Jewish but isn't true that they can't work on Passover. I know my friend said she wasn't even allowed to turn on her oven. Can someone clarify? Maybe they will give us a longer summer. Who know what lurks in the minds (I use that term loosely) of the doe.
ReplyDeleteAll Jewish Holidays with Sabbath-like restrictions like Passover require that all normal business, school or secular activities cease about two hours before sundown on the eve of the Holiday to allow for adequate preparations.
ReplyDeleteActual Holiday restrictions go into effect approximately half an hour before sundown on the eve of the Holiday. Some of the restricted activities include all forms of vehicular travel, writing, direct use of electrical devices, measurements and any preparations for, or discussion of, normal weekday activities or responsibilities.
Some activities, such as cooking and carrying, that are forbidden on the Sabbath and Yom Kippur, are permitted on the other holidays.
Restrictions end approximately one hour after sundown of the last day. No travel or restricted activities are permitted until then.
Holiday restrictions cannot be relaxed except in circumstances when there is mortal danger to a human life.
so we have to work during spring break? bad news but not the worst news.
ReplyDeleteThe worst is that our mayor and his homies kept the schools open and isn't it a bit strange that nyc has the worst numbers when it comes to COVID 19. How many adults and kids were exposed???
Then DBlasio goes on tv and starts blaming the federal government for being late to support NYC. Is this dude serious??
5% teachers will be let go, UFT just said.
ReplyDeleteTalk of extending school year through summer?
ReplyDeleteCuomo left schools open also. Go back and check facts. He was also mouthing the “where will they get food” etc.
ReplyDeleteWaiting that poem is event about slavery. Learn something then comment.
#5:06 pm: The poem is event about slavery? What the hell does this even mean?
DeleteMulgrew at the Town Hall mentioned there will be negotiations for compensation for working during Spring Break vacation time. Not sure what form compensation will be.
ReplyDeleteMulgrew at the Town Hall mentioned there will be negotiations for compensation for working during Spring Break vacation time. Not sure what form compensation will be.
ReplyDeleteFor @7:53 ,
ReplyDeleteI am also a descendant of slaves.
I don't want to be sent back into slavery and be mandated to work without pay.
Proudly, I can state categorically that required work without pay is SLAVERY.
If they start taking you from your home and family, beating you, molesting you,etc you are being treated like a slave. How you will be compensated hasn't been finalized. There are so many other ways to phrase non payment for services rendered. I would NEVER say they are jewing us down. Am i sensitive? Yes. Should people watch their words? Absolutely.
Delete@5:44 PM
ReplyDeleteYou're getting paid unlike the majority of New Yorkers.
@8;03 pm: I don't understand the non payment argument. Some of these folks even think they are sacrificing like first responders and medical personnel. Nope. No way. That's a hard NO. There is no comparison. Buck up and get to teaching. Your money is coming chill-lax
DeleteNot for those days we’re not
ReplyDeleteYou will be compensated. Go teach. You will be compensated. One way to look at it: Some teachers have admitted "passing everyone to keep the peace and to pls admin". Chalk Easter week as another way "to keep the peace and pls admin".
DeleteWe can all learn a lot about life these days. Dave Ramsey, the financial advisor, recommends having a three to six month emergency fund.
ReplyDeleteI do have a heart and feel for those who have lost their jobs and I am monetarily helping some people that I know need the support. Unfortunately, many people have spent many years living above their means, maxing out credit cards, taking vacations they can't afford, leasing or buying cars they can't afford, living in apartments they can't afford, purchasing the latest fashions, eating out, going to sporting events and other expensive outings, spending hundreds a month on cable and cell phone bills, etc. We all need to reevaluate our own situations.
Anyone who does truly feel for those who have lost their job, find a church, center, somewhere that you can donate money to help your fellow New Yorkers. Being grateful that you have a job and are getting paid is nice for you, but not very helpful to those who are in need. Put your money where your mouth is and donate.
It is not a bad idea to think about donating your UFT contribution to a church, center, program or a family in need. It is a much better use of your money than just giving it to Mulgrew and his cronies to line their pockets.
@6:32am. Thank you. Will do. Stay safe
DeleteTried Zoom and it is a nightmare. Yes, in a business-meeting application it is super duper that all participants can have dynamic interaction via voice, image, and chat text. Remember to disable all three and DO NOT permit kids to ever be on camera (just imagine what they will do and the complaints that will ensue) or ever speak live (fart noises are the least of what you will hear and the complaints will doubtlessly ensue) or ever have access to the chat text (heavens knows what they are writing while you are trying to conduct a class).
ReplyDeleteOnce you disable all three dynamic interaction capabilities (image, voice, and chat text) you quickly see the next crazy issue. You as the teacher have absolutely no idea what your kids are doing - best case they are tuning you out completely while texting each other on their cells or playing video games or have wandered away from the computer to head out and shop or play with a sibling or do chores.
Of course, you can just Zoom away into nothingness and pretend things are working and the kids are learning. Cause Zoom and other super duper tools like it sound really cool and it looks like we are cutting edge.
Or you could simply assign curriculum-based material via Google Classroom every two or three days and students could do the work and submit via Google Classroom. Just be sure to 'mute' each kid (so they don't do a running blog to each other...w/mute they can still ask you individual questions). And they can pick the best times to focus on the assignment. And learn.
Teachers in Chappaqua NY are off for their break... the district made packets. If the teachers choose to work, they get paid by the hour.
ReplyDelete@11:06 Jesus Christ, we're in the midst of a global pandemic and you're comparing teachers to Holocaust victims because we had our spring break canceled? Get some perspective.
ReplyDelete@4:01 Why are you trying to spread fear. The UFT has not said anything about layoffs.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal. However we pay our Union to get us the best deal. I don't mind working the extra days, as others mentioned I'm assigning the same break work I would have anyway, and I'm not checking it until the 20th. However the Union should have at least demanded something back. That's what I'm ticked off about. Give us the days back in June. Give us per-session. The Union needed to demand compensation BEFOREHAND, instead it just capitulated. Cuomo is not king and if anyone had the balls to sue his unconstitutional edicts would be struck down!
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic schools are keeping their breaks and their employees (at least the ones I know, some are Unionized) are at-will employees!
Even if we end up getting fair compensation (doubtful, let's be honest), it's the principle of it. We are not martyrs, we are professionals who should know how they are getting compensated beforehand. It's our fault though, watch Mulgrew get re-elected.
ReplyDeleteLet's get real, the city and state (and nation) will be essentially broke when this passes so we will not be getting any additional compensation for working extra days.
ReplyDeleteAre we still getting our raises in May? And what about retro in October? Things that really matter!
ReplyDeleteIf there was ever a time for a serious buyout, this is it....
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Buyout for tier 4
DeleteOh Please. how much time are you actually investing from home? hardly any I'm sure based on all of you complainers on this site. I'm willing to bet you mail it in most days when you're at work, never mind now during something that has never happened to any of us living in the world today. Think about the "extra" money you all have during this time, nobody is going out so we are all saving money unintentionally. No wonder why the rest of society hates teachers, you're all f-ing whiners. stop complaining and as so many of you like to say, it was your choice for this career. if you don't like it find another job.
ReplyDeleteTeachers wake up. The upcoming economic crisis will devastate our neighbors. We will continue with our good salaries and benefits. Fuck the stupid union and politics now.
ReplyDeleteBe prepared to be scapegoats.
Don't forget that past economic problems , recessions, etc caused the givebacks , interest reduction in fixed tda , observations,harassment etc
Logging in for distance learning is no big deal. If your computer or internet connection fails, oh well. Just log it and stay safe. The technology problems that can arise are great excuses to take a day away from the bullshit and tend to your needs
But take my word. Retirement envy. Teacher envy is gonna be real bad.
In the end , we can live better.
Waiting I meant to say the poem isn’t even about slavery. Sorry for typo but the point still stands
ReplyDelete