Is the Package the Package?
UFT contract negotiations with the City of New York. Odd wording. Real question.
Does the City begin negotiations by (generally) explaining the total monetary value of the “package”? And then the rest of negotiations are about work rules (that don’t carry dollar amounts) and about how to allocate “the package”? Most to wages, some to initiatives, special projects, etc.?
Or the size of “the package” – the total dollar amount – do we negotiate that?
I don’t think the UFT leadership negotiate the overall size of the package. I think they accept the number the City or OLR or OMB or the DoE bring in. But I am not certain. And I want to know
I know an exception, or do I?
In the 2005 contract, Randi got the size of the package increased. But she did it by trading something – we worked more minutes in the day, more days in the year, in return for more money. Time for Money. We did not bargain for more money. Our leadership traded our time for more money.
Do you know the answer? Have an opinion?
So what do you know? Or what do you think? Do the UFT and the City argue over the full size of the settlement? Or is NYC bargaining this weird game where everyone knows the grand total before they sit down – but they spend months allocating what goes where?
Sandy Rosen, presente
Still not an obituary. A comment. And an appeal.
My mother, Sandy Rosen, died two weeks ago. It’s my mom – the photos I have been sharing have felt both ‘family’ and personal. The travel stuff is a celebration. The post-stroke photos are a refusal to surrender, tributes to spirit. I have shared warmth, strength, and joy.
But conviction? My mother was political. Was an activist. You got a hint at my mentions of union activity. But she did so much more. And so much of how she defined herself was around politics. Created herself. These were not traditions (including unionism) that she adopted from her family and friends.
My mother demonstrated against the Viet Nam war. She got involved supporting Black Panthers, and later members of the Black Liberation Army when they were being targeted by the government. She supported Puerto Rican Liberation.
There are good union stories – I don’t mean to erase those. And I will tell them another time. But she fought to do what was right, both to build unions, and within her unions and their struggles.
So the fight against racism, and for Black Liberation, they were huge for Sandy. Standing up for, organizing defense for those targeted by the United States government for their political activism.
And Palestine. The fight for Palestinian liberation was central to who my mother was. Palestinian husband. Deeply anti-Zionist. Especially towards the end of her life, the struggle for Palestine became her #1 cause.
These issues? She chose to be involved. She chose to define herself through these issues more than any others. Her choice, Her right. And I honor her, and her choices.
Cut to the chase. Some folks have asked where to send donations. I’m looking at her will. I’m looking at the fundraising appeals she sent me while she was alive.
- Refusers Solidarity Network. Support those who refuse to serve in the IOF. That was their old name – they are officially the Resistance Solidarity Network. Go read about them. And then, if you want to honor my mother’s memory with a gift, donate. She would approve.
- Rosenberg Fund for Children. Support the children of activists who have been targeted by the US Government. Summer camp. Special classes. Therapy. What the kids need. Founded by the son of Communist Party members who were murdered by the United States government. So that the kids could have support. Go read about the RFC. And if you want to honor my mother’s memory with a gift, donate to the Rosenberg Fund for Children.
I’ll be blunt: my mom was blunt. These are good causes. And they make people uncomfortable. So be it.
I will find more “activism” photos. When you are focused like that, though, and when no one has cell phones yet, not even flip phones, these are not the moments that people are most likely to pause and pose.
A few stories and pics from 2026 about my mom
My mother, Sandra Ann Rosen Halabi, died July 15, 2026. This is not an obituary, just a few a few notes and photos from this last half year.
My mother, always a fan of dark chocolate, shifted towards extremely dark. Different people tried giving her different bars, to see what she approved or disapproved of. A few years ago I hit the jackpot: Endangered Species Extreme Dark 88%. That was it. She didn’t want any other chocolate. (It is inedible, in my opinion). Sadly, it got harder and harder to find. In January I ordered 16 bars! There was hassle with the delivery. It might have been out of stock? It eventually arrived.
Even before New Years there were some premonitions of relapse (leukemia). Something was going wrong with her longterm memory – (short term was… put it this way, if you extended a 15 minute conversation to 20 minutes, you could hear the same story a third time). And something about how she got up, sat down, moved around, even reached for things in the kitchen. Something wasn’t right. And it would turn out to be a relapse. And given the options (same treatment as before, try something new, hospice) we trusted the team and rechallenged the disease with the same chemo that had worked once. And it was working. And then it wasn’t. We got the choices again, but the team was making a clear recommendation. My mom, that day, followed closely. Understood. She knew she was choosing home hospice. And even if she would come to forget the implication in the coming weeks, that day she knew. And was able to make her choice.
And then I ordered more chocolate. And I went right to the management folks, to make sure we’d get the delivery. 24 more bars, for a total of 40 this year. (3 oz. bars. Big ones)
In the meantime, home hospice meant no more hospital and clinic visits (transportation was hard, getting around was hard, one appointment had been eating up a whole day and leaving her exhausted.) – which was great. And lots of calls and visitors, which she loved.
Not everyone else fully got it. My mom had a history. A medical history. Tumors, adenomas, lots of precancerous stuff, lung cancer, a major stroke, multiple seizures, intestinal blockage, leukemia that she should not have survived, but was just coming off almost a year’s remission. Nine lives, right? People were trying to count how many she had left. When you get a reputation for cheating death… Making matters worse, when I asked directly (the day we chose hospice) the doctor responded “I don’t have a crystal ball, but days… to a few weeks.” That was April 20 (I think). April passed. May passed. June passed. There was some decline, but it was gentle. People were trying to count. She’s not up to nine yet? Can’t be.
I can’t find photos from the last few months. That would have been hard. But I recorded her several times, and I captured some stills:
My mom had been a regular at the Y. She loved her class. And all the socializing. And as she got healthier post retirement… (she retired in 2006, age 65)… put it this way – she was the plank champion of her class. Three minutes? Nothing. (I thought it was silly – until I tried).
So this note, which is strange, is not really surprising: “Yesterday at Saturday am bootcamp (where many of us former Y Sandy fans go) she had a grand finale of 3 escalating-length planks in memory of Sandy. And then I heard that the Y Saturday morning bootcamp class also included planks as a Sandy memorial. Definitely not one of the usual memorials, but a fitting one for the Plank Queen! Several people mentioned fond memories of Sandy after class.”
Last note for today. The Endangered Species website, today. Extreme Dark is out of stock? It’s a shipping delay? Nah, we sold them out.
So what happened?
The company ran out, but she had three bars left…
An Historic Trail on Sleeping Giant
I have always loved hiking Sleeping Giant. Sleeping Giant State Park is in the Mount Carmel part of Hamden, Connecticut. When I was a kid we hiked the gravel “Tower Trail” from the picnic/parking area to the New Deal era Tower at the top. Sometimes we would try the Orange or the White or the really challenging Blue – always aimed at the tower.
The Giant
The Giant itself (himself?) is a group of east-west ridges (in territory where every other ridge is north-south – Hello Metacommet!). Native Americans thought it resembled a reclining giant (the head, chest, elbows, hips, knees, etc are named). Seems like a good description.
For years my grandmother’s extended family met one day in July each summer, in the picnic area. And talked. And ate. Under beautiful pines (white pines?) And some of us went to the Tower. A microburst in 2018 leveled all the pines (and did more damage across the Giant) – and so we switched to other locations.
Chestnut Lane – Eastern Access
A decade ago my mother’s extended family started doing “family fun days” – and the first – we met at the other side of the Giant (Chestnut Lane – on the northeastern side where the trails converge) and tried untested taking the White in (memorably harder than we anticipated, scrambling down Hezekiah’s Knob, awkwardly dangling between the Left Leg and the Right Leg), and the Orange out.
But I was hooked. Easy access to a bunch of trails that I had not hiked, or not hiked from that side. Lots of in-and-outs, different combinations of trails, easier and harder, with and without scrambles… all in lovely woods. When my sister comes to town (meaning, returns to the United States) the most likely time we spend together is hiking this end of Sleeping Giant, talking, climbing, chatting, and enjoying a very familiar outdoors.
No Hiking!
For the last three weeks I have been stuck off my feet. No Van Cortlandt Park. Two very tentative, very partial walks to benches in the New York Botanical Gardens. My daily 4½ – 6 miles has been down to zero on some days, averaging under a mile. The foot’s getting better. I am being slow, and careful, and following the podiatrist’s suggestions. I want to be back 100%. And I don’t want to delay the recovery by testing it out too soon.
So if you’ve noticed no photos of flowers or buds or mushrooms or frogs or bees or just woods on Facebook over the last few weeks – that’s why. And yes, I hate it. I breathe better in the woods. They heal my lungs, and my mind. I enjoy taking the photos. And the exercise. And I just think better when I’m walking, especially in the woods.
Will I get back to the Gardens? This week, I’m certain. To Van Cortlandt? This week. Probably. To bigger hikes? Soon, I hope, I think. Maybe in two weeks. Oh, and if you want to join me, let me know. I nice group hike might be a great way to celebrate healing…
An Older Hike
So let me share photos from a hike before my injury. One day at the end of May I was returning from Cambridge to the Bronx, not having hiked or really even walked that day. I realized the time, and my location. I could pull off the Wilbur Cross Parkway, get in an hour, an hour and a half on Sleeping Giant. Nothing too adventurous, not enough time.
I pulled into Chestnut Lane, stared at the map. And I picked the start of the route, mindful that I’d need to watch the time, and have multiple turnback points. I chose an Orange start, with the idea of moving south, towards Yellow. It’s one of the trails I’m on the least – flatter, a little easier.
I chose Orange. Left on Yellow/Green. Right on Yellow. Passed a strange person. The bugs got thick. Yellow was flatter, and wetter, and buggier. At the next turnoff, Red Square, I went Red Square right. And then Orange, left. Crossed the White, and Red Circle, left. And here’s what was new. I took that DC trail, Dickerman Carriage Road, looped around it, exited on the White, and took it back to the parking area.
The Dickerman Carriage Road was neat. The photos don’t do it justice… different topography from the “regular” trails. A little flatter. A little leveler (but only a little). Different vegetation. More uncleared clearings. Just a slightly different feel. I’ll be back.
The White Trail back? Hmm. I was doing okay on time, but had not planned on a major scramble. When I realize I had chosen the trail back to Hezekiah’s knob… it was really too late. Of course I made it. But I was not expecting to need to focus so much so late in the day…
More Photos
NYC vs AIPAC (and other takeaways)
A week late, but more time to reflect.
- No AIPAC. Yes Palestine. That was the biggest issue in Brad Lander’s win. It was prominent in Darializa Avila Chevalier’s campaign. And Claire Valdez says she will continue to call for Palestinian liberation. This is a huge shift in New York City. And it was not just these three congressional races. Aber Kawas and David Orkin and other Assembly primary winners are also openly anti-AIPAC.
- We have the most popular mayor I can remember New York City having. I’ve only been here 42 years, it’s true. But Zohran Mamdani? He’s a nice guy. His policies are generally VERY popular. People like him. A lot. He wins without gloating. He’s charismatic. And apparently, his endorsement carries some weight. Real weight.
- DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) had a great night – winning almost every race it got involved in. Their door-knocking was massive.
- Parts of Queens and Brooklyn are now solidly DSA territory. The “Commie Corridor.” In CD-07 they went head to head against the WFP, – and Reynoso had lots of union support, and Claire Valdez still won by a large margin.
- Looking at election maps – DSA does better in the areas it contests among white voters, but with very strong showings among Black and Latinx voters as well.
- Primary turnout was generally above 2024… but significantly lower than the last hot race in each district. These are not Mamdani 2025 numbers. These are not record numbers. There were 66k votes cast in Darializa’s win over Adriano Espaillat. There were 78k votes cast in the 2020 primary in the same district. There were 48k votes cast in Lander’s win over Dan Goldman. There were 71k votes cast in 2022 in the same district.
- The WFP (Working Families Party) had what in any other election would have looked like an ok or even good result – but given the scope of the DSA win – an ok night seemed disappointing, especially given WFP working on Reynoso’s losing campaign in CD-07. There were several disappointments, including Yuh Line-Niou who seemed to be a very strong candidate. WFP did have wins in other parts of NY State. Of particular interest was the decision not to endorse in CD-13. Darializa was an attractive, well-aligned candidate. She did start out a very long shot – but it’s worth asking, would it have been worth the risk?
- WFP/DSA friction? The comparisons were obvious. WFP had Lander. DSA Chevalier. They went head to head in 7. They did work together on some state level races. Right after the results Eric Blanc wrote a chest-thumping “get out of our way” pro-DSA substack. Ugh. But after some politely disappointed comments, he rewrote it. I will not share the original (it was ugly, and remains up at Jacobin, but thankfully requires login), but here is the genuinely thoughtful substack rewrite. Hellgate ran an interview with Jasmine Gripper, a leader of the WFP (unfortunately behind a paywall, and I don’t have a key). But click through, and you can see the beginning. The title “‘I Don’t See My Job as Defeating the DSA’: 10 Minutes With the Working Families Party’s State Leader” says a lot.
- WFP/DSA Part II. As much as Democratic Socialists sound “lefter” than Working Families – these are the two major organizations that are trying to enact reforms and elect reforming candidates – progressives, leftists – nightmares for Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and that corporate Democratic PAC-with-journal, The NY Times. Last year the WFP engineered the Brad Lander – Zohran Mamdani cross endorsement – crucial for ZM’s primary win. They CAN collaborate. And they have different strengths (even as DSA’s were far more on display last week).
- Expanding… WFP shows some reach upstate, with strength in some of the northern suburbs, the Hudson Valley, Albany, Ithaca, Syracuse and even Western NY. DSA ventured into new territory, and won – this was their first big campaign uptown. They took on more State Senate and Assembly races. There are still questions about their demographic reach (new white New Yorkers, but also not-so-new, younger Black voters, but not older Black voters – or renters, but not homeowners) – but the way to answer those questions is by running more candidates. How can you know your limits unless you test them? (same question for WFP, but about taking on powerful incumbents, not necessarily about demographics).
- What if… Chuck Park ran closer to Grace Meng than most people expected… And Ritchie Torres, who fits the profile of someone both the WFP and DSA would want to challenge (Mr. I-don’t-exist-without-AIPAC), but in a district that is not a natural fit for either…
By the way, my congressional rep was owned by AIPAC, but will now be DSA and an advocate for Palestine. My State Senator (Gustavo Rivera) is a WFP champion, and the sponsor of the New York Health Act.
NYC Primary Odds as the polls close June 23 2026
As the polls close the betting markets have moved – but not decisively. Here’s what they show.
NYC has more real congressional primaries, real ones, than I can ever recall. 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15.
Gamblers are putting money on who they think the winners will be. In 6 (and 10) and 15 they see now contest. But while they see favorites in the others, those are not at 95%
These reflect how bettors are betting. Like making Vegas-style bets on the winner. These are NOT opinion polls. And this includes 11th hour money.
| NY-7 | Reynoso | Valdez | Won |
| Kalshi | 18% | 79% | 0.2% |
| NY-10 | Goldman (incumbent) | Lander |
| Kalshi | 1% | 99% |
| NY-12 | Bores | Conway | Lasher | Schlossberg |
| Kalshi | 25% | …. | 77% | 0.7% |
| NY-13 | Chevalier | Espaillat (incumbent) |
| Kalshi | 26% | 74% |
NYC Primary Odds June 18 2026
NYC has more real congressional primaries, real ones, than I can ever recall. There’s not a lot of polling, but there are betting markets, which is what I am looking at here. 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15.
Ten days ago I wrote:
Four of these six (6, 10, 13, 15) involve incumbents – one is trailing, one is in a tight race, and two maybe hanging on. And for those four races, AIPAC (backing the incumbent) is a major issue. It’s not just Palestine – it’s progressive vs centrist, Mamdani vs Cuomo, AOC/Bernie vs Schumer.
Gamblers are putting money on who they think the winners will be. They think Lander is going to beat Goldman (incumbent) in 10. They think Meng (6) and Torres (15) will hold on against progressive challengers. They are leaning towards Claire Valdez in 7, although not giving up on Antonio Reynoso, not yet (no incumbent in this race). That leaves 12, vacated by Nadler, where there’s some shift in more bets going towards Lasher, but Bores still receiving lots of support.
And that leaves CD-13, where gamblers are equally divided between incumbent Adriano Espaillat and progressive challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier,
These reflect how bettors are betting. Like making Vegas-style bets on the winner. These are NOT opinion polls.
| NY-6 | Meng (incumbent) | Park |
| Polymarket | 92% | 8% |
| Kalshi | 94% | 12% |
NYSUT endorsed Meng. 10 days ago it was 88-10 and 85-15
| NY-7 | Reynoso | Valdez | Won |
| Polymarket | 20% | 81% | 1% |
| Kalshi | 23% | 80% | 0.8% |
NYSUT endorsed Reynoso. This one is WFP vs DSA. WFP endorsed Reynoso. Mamdani endorsed Valdez. Markets are shifting towards Valdez, (10 days ago it was about 30 – 70) but there is still some money on Reynoso.
| NY-10 | Goldman (incumbent) | Lander |
| Polymarket | 2% | 98% |
| Kalshi | 1.9% | 98.9% |
WFP endorsed Lander. Mamdani endorsed Lander. The bettors think this one is over.
This is still true: the UFT claimed to have made an endorsement in CD-10, but never submitted the decision to the Delegate Assembly for ratification. Breaking the rules is bad. Backing a loser can be bad. But cheating to back a loser? Not really impressive.
| NY-12 | Bores | Conway | Lasher | Schlossberg |
| Polymarket | 33% | <1% | 64% | 1% |
| Kalshi | 36% | 0.5% | 64% | 3% |
NYSUT endorsed Bores. Teachers do not like Lasher and his associations with school reform and Bloomberg. But no one exciting here. I thought the Kennedy in the race was supposed to make this one interesting?
| NY-13 | Chevalier | Espaillat (incumbent) |
| Polymarket | 47% | 46% |
| Kalshi | 51% | 50% |
NYSUT endorsed Espaillat. Mamdani endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier. New York Progressive Action Network switched their endorsement to Chevalier. This is the tightest race (according to the bettors) in NYC, with the favorite shifting several times in the last week.
| NY-15 | Blake | Torres (incumbent) |
| Polymarket | 2% | 98% |
| Kalshi | 8% | 93.3% |
NYSUT endorsed Torres. Bettors think this one is done. That’s a shame.
NYC Primary Odds June 8 2026
New York 6. New York 7. New York 10. New York 12. New York 13. New York 15.
These reflect how bettors are betting. Like making Vegas-style bets on the winner. These are NOT opinion polls.
Four of these six (6, 10, 13, 15) involve incumbents – one is trailing, one is in a tight race, and two maybe hanging on. And for those four races, AIPAC (backing the incumbent) is a major issue. It’s not just Palestine – it’s progressive vs centrist, Mamdani vs Cuomo, AOC/Bernie vs Schumer.
| NY-6 | Meng (incumbent) | Park | Xiong |
| Polymarket | 88% | 10% | 1% |
| Kalshi | 85% | 15% | < 1% |
NYSUT endorsed Meng.
| NY-7 | Reynoso | Valdez | Won |
| Polymarket | 29% | 69% | 4% |
| Kalshi | 28% | 72% | 5% |
NYSUT endorsed Reynoso. This one is WFP vs DSA. WFP endorsed Reynoso. Mamdani endorsed Valdez.
| NY-10 | Goldman (incumbent) | Lander |
| Polymarket | 4% | 96% |
| Kalshi | 5% | 93% |
WFP endorsed Lander. Mamdani endorsed Lander.
I’ll take the moment to remind readers that the UFT claimed to have made an endorsement in CD-10, but never submitted the decision to the Delegate Assembly for ratification. Breaking the rules is bad. Backing a loser can be bad. But cheating to back a loser? Not really impressive.
| NY-12 | Bores | Conway | Lasher | Schlossberg |
| Polymarket | 41% | 2% | 53% | 9% |
| Kalshi | 43% | 3% | 57% | 7% |
NYSUT endorsed Bores. Teachers do not like Lasher and his associations with school reform and Bloomberg. But no one exciting here.
| NY-13 | Chevalier | Espaillat (incumbent) | Miller | Romero |
| Polymarket | 54% | 42% | < 1% | < 1% |
| Kalshi | 55% | 45% |
NYSUT endorsed Espaillat. Mamdani endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier. New York Progressive Action Network switched their endorsement to Chevalier.
| NY-15 | Blake | Nemorin (dropped out) | Torres (incumbent) |
| Polymarket | 2% | 87% | |
| Kalshi | 3% | 70% |
NYSUT endorsed Torres.
A Couple of Thoughts from Wednesday’s Delegate Assembly
The United Federation of Teachers Delegate Assembly met Wednesday. I wrote earlier that day about the Tuesday Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC) meeting… Woohoo! Two meetings in a week. Here’s a few moments from the DA.
Tier VI
From Mulgrew’s report – the Tier VI negotiations. He made it clear we won something, and that age was the priority for teachers, and that we were not done, but would need to come back and fight for more. This is complicated. I think he was right, that for teachers age at this point was the bigger issue, but both age and contributions (the amount, and for how long) are huge issues. And I do not think we got the best deal we could. The issues of pension and Tier VI deserve a whole separate post.
Don’t vote on issues where my side will lose
From the Motions Directed to the Agenda – the resolution on maintaining focus on core union priorities – this was the freaked out Zionist response to the Resolution to Stop the Sale of Bombs and Bulldozers to Israel being placed on the agenda the previous month (with a 54% – 46% vote). Mulgrew made a point of calling on the maker of the motion – but Unity had signaled they were neutral. Michael Shulman gave a strong speech against. It failed by about 3% (I need to check numbers, but 51.4 – 48.6 or thereabouts). I wonder who voted for it… not just a right wing + Zionist vote, but aren’t there people who support sucking up to the prejudices and backwardness of some teachers?
Out-of-process endorsement against Brad Lander
At the close of the Motions Directed to the Agenda – I attempted to bring a point of order (it may not have been a point of order). NYSUT and the AFT, neither endorsed in CD-10, Lander vs Goldman. So that race goes back to the UFT to decide. But within the UFT, we have process – endorsements go to our highest body – the Delegate Assembly. But this one didn’t. Mulgrew publicly announced the UFT was supporting Goldman (the AIPAC candidate). I tried a point of order, Mulgrew accused me of engaging in debate, and I tried to appeal the ruling of the chair and he ran over me. At that point, fight or sit down? I’d made my point, and was not going to win the appeal. I sat down.
On the merits though, endorsements are by NYSUT, AFT or UFT. And UFT endorsements go through the DA. Mulgrew was wrong. What happened? Guess 1 – the DA was scheduled a week earlier. They were going to endorse Goldman, but delays happen. Only Communications did not know, or didn’t think, and put out the statement they had prepared anyhow. And Mulgrew doesn’t admit error, or at least not often. Guess 2 – Unity was afraid that they would lose a vote on Goldman. Lander is the far more popular candidate among our members.
In either case, we now know clearly that NYSUT did not endorse (from Mulgrew). Which sends me back to the RTC one day earlier. When the out-of-process endorsement came up, many people Googled (and found a Goldman endorsement – from 2024). But two people in the zoom Q&A shared very specific specific information – they included THAT NYSUT endorsed Goldman (false) and they also included WHEN NYSUT endorsed Goldman (impossible, since NYSUT did not endorse him). It is highly unlikely that Patti or Rodney would offer that level of detail – when there was no supporting fact – without knowing what they were writing was untrue. I believe that most Unity members would not brazenly lie to win an argument. Most. But not all.
Defend Social Security
After months the Defend Social Security (and medicare and Medicaid) resolution finally cam up. This is an attempt to create a pool of mostly electoral/lobbying activists in the UFT, roughly parallel to the AFTerburners. It would be an improvement.
It was eventually approved by a wide margin. But before we got there, Bruce Markens stood up to remove the first whereas:
WHEREAS the election of UFT endorsed Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City has definitively ended the immediate danger that UFT and other NYC municipal retirees would lose our traditional Medicare and be transferred into a Medicare Advantage plan against our will, as Mamdani has unequivocally committed himself to the UFT’s position in support of maintaining traditional Medicare,
Bruce’s motivation went long. He veered into 1096. Mulgrew engaged in debate (without being recognized) over 1096. Janella Hinds rose to defend this whereas. And then we voted, and the whereas was removed.
First of all, someone should have proofread this point. The language needs clean up.
But next, was Bruce’s point that the UFT was not threatening Medicare for now, or might in the future? Or that Mamdani is a threat to Medicare?
The blanket deletion of the point leaves it unclear if Bruce was attacking Michael or Zohran. And that may have been the point. There are retirees who don’t trust Mulgrew on Medicare (with good reason. Though I do trust that Unity loves power, and hates that they lost the RTC over Medicare, and so I trust them not to repeat that mistake, out of their love of power). But there are also members who are not retirees who hate Zohran. They would have rathered have Cuomo. Or Sliwa. And when I heard Bruce’s amendment, that’s what I heard. And I voted no. And I think that’s what others heard, and voted yes. And I think Bruce’s amendments carried on the votes of anti-Zohran delegates. And I don’t think that’s a good thing.
A Couple of Thoughts from Yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter Meeting
The United Federation of Teachers Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC) met yesterday. Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer chaired.
Just things that I noticed, or stood out to me. This is not minutes. This is not a full report. And the notes are not necessarily in order.
Retirees and Teachers Retirement System of New York City Elections
Bennett Fischer spoke about the unfairness of retirees being excluded from the TRSNYC Board elections. This is a problem with the NYC Administrative Code (I think) and Bennett or the RTC Exec Board (I’m part of it. I’m the Assistant Secretary. But these are not minutes!) will initiate a process to see if we can get that amended, and end this unfairness.
Endorsement?
Last week Mulgrew announced in a statement that the UFT was supporting Brad Lander’s opponent in the race for Congress in NY-10. Trouble was, the AFT and NYSUT did not endorse in NY-10. And the Delegate Assembly had not voted.
Bennett spoke about this. It is a problem. Our (UFT) endorsement process is well-established. This was out-of-process.
The reaction was strange. Unity loyalists claimed that NYSUT endorsed Goldman at the Representative Assembly. Not true. One claimed NYSUT had endorsed Goldman earlier in the cycle. Not true. And that one is so specific, it sure looks like intentional disinformation. Someone else said NYSUT endorsed Monday – which was irrelevant, since Mulgrew’s statement was from four days earlier, and also untrue.
People in the hall tried Google. They found an endorsement for Goldman – from 2024. AI guessed that an endorsement might have happened – without evidence. But anyone who went to the NYSUT website learned the truth. And anyone who put a NY-10 address into NYSUT’s endorsement look up found what we knew – no endorsement.
So what happened? There was no NYSUT endorsement. The UFT had a DA planned for May 13, but that was delayed because of the TRSNYC election. My guess? Mulgrew planned to get a Goldman endorsement at the DA. Staff had prepared his statement in advance (really crummy practice – unless you want to display disrespect for the Delegate Assembly and our democratic practice), and forgot to wait for the vote to happen, or just thoughtlessly released it. To be clear, the responsibility is Mulgrew’s – that’s his name on the statement.
We have a Delegate Assembly later today. Let’s see how Mulgrew addresses his fuck up. But an out-of-process endorsement is not ok. And I’m not sure how he can appear to run a neutral after his public statement.
The Housing Resolution
There was one resolution on the agenda, Housing, followed by any other motions members wanted to bring (but we ran out of time). The housing resolution and the discussion and vote were the least satisfying parts of the meeting.
The Housing Resolution has a genesis that is worth noting. A month or two ago a retiree who is active with Unity brought a resolution on housing, and was not able to raise it (time). I suggested he send it to the RTC Executive Board, and they could put it on the next agenda. He did send it to the Executive Board, but we did not vote to put it on the agenda. Instead, we chose to write our own housing resolution (which we did) and then invite the Unity supporter to work to meld the two resolutions. He refused.
So the RTC Executive Board had been open to collaborating on a joint resolution, but the Unity supporter did not want this. His call. But we (RTC Exec) put the RTC resolution on the agenda. The resolution itself was ok, 30% affordable housing is low, and could have been higher. 100% union labor was absolutely correct. And calling for neighborhood-AMI or borough-AMI addresses affordability head on. And affordability links labor and retirees with community in an incredibly important way. So while the Unity guy still was holding a resolution (which had never been introduced), this was the RTC Exec Board’s, and it was on the agenda. Michael Shulman introduced it.
But two things went wrong.
Norm Scott rose to amend. He wanted a new resolved “To increase retirees’ ability to afford housing eliminate copays.” The RTC already has a copay resolution. That already passed the RTC chapter meeting. Passing it again added nothing. And the copay resolution has been blocked from the UFT as a whole at the Delegate Assembly by Mulgrew. Adding copays to this resolution did not make it one bit more likely to become UFT policy. But you know what adding it did? It took this not too bad housing resolution, and took its small chance of coming before the membership and left it with no chance of ever coming up. This amendment effectively blocked the housing resolution from ever moving forward. It was a poison pill. What a shame. I heard a small group of retirees cheering when it passed – not sure if it was because they falsely believed that somehow they had struck a blow against copays, or because they enjoyed spoiling the hard work of Bennett and the RTC Executive Board.
One more note – this is not the first time I have questioned Norman’s actions. This was poor judgment. But it is possible to criticize his actions while sympathizing with the difficult health issues he is facing. We can do both things at once, We should all wish Norm the best.
So back to the other housing resolution. The one that the Unity supporter brought. The one that the RTC Executive Board wanted to reconcile with our own, but the Unity person did want to do. The one that had never been introduced. Well the author was in the hall, with his hand up. Bennett called on Norm first. And the next person Bennett called on, they called the question. I do not think it was fair to end debate before debate had happened. I suggested that we ask the indulgence of the body and allow speakers for and against first. But honestly, it was hard to focus. Half a dozen Unity voices were calling for Points of Order and Points of Information. Bennett took several (without getting to the maker of the motion, who had his hand up). He said that the points were becoming dilatory, and moved to a vote. The amendment passed. The resolution as amended passed.
I believe that fairness should have trumped procedure, and that Bennett should have allowed a speaker for and a speaker against. I got no pleasure out of seeing frantic Unity supporters, infuriated that their voices were silenced. That’s what it feels like to oppose Unity in a Delegate Assembly – and I wish that on nobody. And then even if we were moving straight to calling the question, I do believe the point of order from the author of the (unintroduced) resolution should have been allowed. Out of fairness.
We have done, Bennett has done, a good job in making our Retired Teachers Chapter meetings much livelier, much fairer, much more democratic. This debate was not up to those standards. We must do better.
Immigration Support
I spoke. ICE is in New York City, harming our neighbors. It’s not the scale of LA, or Detroit, or Minneapolis. But they are here, doing damage. Some students have been detained, their families have been detained, but to this point ICE has not entered our schools.
In the meantime, there is lots of support activity going on. And many retirees have become involved. Space there is merchant support, know your rights, community aid, rapid response, neighborhood watch. There is court watch, and accompaniment. There is some support for schools.
But most school-based commitees are in formation. Most are not there yet. But we see signs that some schools may want retiree volunteers soon, and I was soliciting some interest There is a union based committee working actively on this. I hope we are able to utilize more retirees to support schools soon.
I also showed off some of my buttons and whistles, and taught a little bit, very little, about some of the support work that I do.
Someone in the Q&A tried to point out that Brad Lander has been very supportive of immigrants in 26 federal Plaza. That point was true. Very true. And I don’t support Dan Goldman. But it was necessary to point out that Goldman has played an active role in pulling immigrants out of detention, by utilizing his office’s resources to file rapid writs of habeus corpus. Credit where due.
And then there were a few more questions and announcements and appeals. People from three different clauses and one person who is independent spoke. Everyone was possible. Everyone wanted to contribute. That part felt good.
On having nice places to walk
Lately I really have needed to walk. A lot. Every day. And I’m fortunate that the New York Botanical Garden is right here. And I’m fortunate that Van Cortland Park I can drive to, the lake house, in about 10 minutes. And I can walk to the Mosholu entrance in about 20 minutes.
Since the gardens close at six, and since the sun stays up until eight, and the birds love singing late in the day, I’ve been getting to Van Cortland a little bit more.
From the NYBG Thursday May 14
From VCP, Tuesday, May 12
Sunday, May 10.
Tuesday, May 5
Monday, May 4
NYBG. Sunday, May 3.
Saturday, May 2
From Today’s Mail
JD, how long have these US reading and math scores been declining ? How significant are these results? From the NY Times ‘Morning’ newsletter a few days ago.
And you’ve seen the chart – the orange and teal. But in case you forgot, here it is, just below. And think of how you might have answered. Does it match my reply? (see the bottom)
Here’s my response. Agree? Disagree?
The last quarter century of tests in the US have been designed to measure preparation for those tests. And the tests have shifted.
The “education reform” movement was built around standardized testing, charter schools, new and weird “standards”
They used test scores to attack unions, to promote vouchers and charters, to punish Black and brown districts.
These charts are showing something. But I have no idea what it is. The language of these Ed Reformers is foreign to me. Even the phrase “lost ground” doesn’t make sense. No kid forgot how to read two years worth of words.
The NY Times supports the ed reform movement, and the corporate takeover of public schools, and of course these tests (and so doesn’t question their use. And doesn’t question if any of this makes sense). Their reporting is agenda-driven. Why should education be different for them then foreign policy?
The gap between how many Europeans can add fractions and how many US Americans can add fractions is huge. It was huge five years ago. Ten years ago. When I was a kid. If anyone was moving that needle, that would be interesting.
Who Endorses?
In the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the Delegate Assembly (DA) endorses candidates for political office. I know of two exceptions:
- First, when the race is essentially statewide, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) sometimes endorses. Or when the race is national, sometimes the American Federation of Teachers has endorsed, and the UFT has accepted that endorsement.
- And second, if the Delegate Assembly is not in session (from mid-June to mid-October) and primary results will necessitate summer endorsements, then the June Delegate Assembly will pass a resolution (kind of a “continuing resolution”) authorizing AdCom (the Administrative Committee) to make endorsements over the summer. Sometimes this is done with the promise that AdCom will not endorse for a particularly interesting race.
Which is why this morning’s news – UFT Endorses Brad Lander’s Opponent – is so surprising. (that’s the Yahoo link, which is open. The NY Daily News link is behind a paywall, but this NYDN link might work).
This is not the summer. There is no “continuing resolution” authorizing AdCom to bypass the Delegate Assembly. And NYSUT did not endorse a candidate in NY-10.
I guess the DA could have endorsed – if the leadership had not moved the date. The DA was scheduled for May 13 – but they moved it to May 20. Why? I don’t know; they didn’t say. Maybe it was about budget negotiations at City Hall or in Albany. Or maybe it was to avoid moving a potential endorsement, and letting delegates debate? Edit: It was to avoid conflict with the TRS election.
Debate can be a pesky thing for our union’s leadership. Since in normal years it controls the Delegate Assembly, in normal years they need to set up the debate in advance, and they can give their rising loyalists experience making motions and giving speeches. What a drag it is for them (they’ve already made their decision – why all this extra work?) – but at least they get something out of it.
But these are not normal years. Retiree Advocate defeated Unity for leadership of the Retired Teachers Chapter in 2024. And 300 Retiree Advocate delegates, independent-minded, replaced 300 Unity loyalists.
Does that mean the retirees control the agenda? No. Can the retirees, at will, defeat resolutions from the leadership? No. Retirees make up less than 10% of the DA. But Unity lost a pile of loyalists who voted as they were told, and Retiree Advocate replaced them with delegates who make up their own minds. And that changes the numbers enough – Unity used to never lose votes. Post-pandemic, they rarely lost votes (and when they did, it was news). But now, with Retiree Advocate’s delegates seated, Unity sometimes loses votes, and contested votes are closer than they used to be.
Is Unity aware of this? You betcha. Mulgrew calls on almost only preplanned hands in a preplanned order during “Motions Directed to the Agenda” – and controlling the agenda is what he is after. He goofed last month, called on a young woman he didn’t know, and ended up with a “Block the Bombs” resolution (that I’m thinking he didn’t want). But she may be the first random hand he’s called on in a year and a half. And lately he’s manipulated the time so that only one resolution can come up each meeting. He just doesn’t want to risk votes Unity does not control.
Would Unity have lost a vote on Goldman? Maybe. NY CD-10 has a lot of UFT members in it. And they are generally as left/liberal/progressive or moreso than their neighbors. Brad Lander is extremely popular (these are voters who ranked #1 Brad, #2 Zohran last year). This is his home base. Goldman released an internal poll this week – an internal, you know, the kind of poll that favors whoever releases it – and he was trailing Lander by 5%. And Goldman’s the incumbent.
And you probably know bits of the backstory: Goldman only won initially because of a badly split field – he got like a quarter of the vote. He’s self funding, with a huge fortune. He is an heir, and has the wealth to live anywhere in the district. And he’s the AIPAC candidate. And he didn’t endorse Mamdani.
Brad Lander is popular in the district. He has built up progressive credentials. He was part of the election strategy that used rank choice to get Zohran the nomination (and essentially sacrificed his own candidacy to promote the greater good.) DSA will support him. The WFP loves him.
And the District is the Financial District, Battery Park City, Chinatown, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and places in between and beyond.
Would Unity have lost a vote against Lander? Maybe. I think so.
Is the “endorsement” official without a Delegate Assembly vote? No.
Today’s TRSNYC election – a detail
I think everyone is focused on Tom Brown, supported by Unity, endorsed by the UFT, being challenged by David Kazansky, supported by ABC. Frank Panebianco is also running.
Personal note. I know all three. Tom has been friendly, although I was displeased with how he ate up time at an RTC meeting. David is a nice guy, and has always been helpful. He sometimes offered useful advice. And just a few years ago he heard that I’d had a concern with the help I’d gotten from the Pension Department – and he personally called me to look into it (turned out, Pension was good. It was another department that was not on top of its game.) And Frank used to come to my school when I was chapter leader. That’s a story.
I brought in a pension speaker almost every year to HSAS, my school. For years I chose my favorite Bronx consultant. I’ll call him Jeff. Because that’s his name. And members really liked him. One year Jeff wasn’t available. They sent me a guy named Frank with a long Italian last name. I am not certain – I may have been absent the day of the meeting. But later that week a couple of people spoke to me. He was great. I asked the school secretary, who knew and liked Jeff, what had happened. She sold me: Now I loved Jeff (and did initial consultations with him, by choice) – but it turned out that I already knew a lot, and Jeff got to the trickier stuff quickly. Frank did not. He assumed that there were people who did not know anything. And he went slowly. Many of my members needed more basic explanations. The school secretary said that Frank Panebianco reached everyone – and that I had to bring him back. And I did, every year after that.
Back to today’s election. One of the ABC leaders wrote that only ABC endorsed Kazansky. Which is true. And then laced into the irrelevance of the “legacy caucuses.” Not true. David did not ask for Retiree Advocate’s endorsement. He did not ask for MORE’s endorsement (although he did a presentation where he attempted to recruit individual MORE members). He called several New Action folks and asked for their help, but did not ask for NAC’s endorsement. It seems that David Kazansky is ABC’s candidate by design.
Why are Retirees Excluded?
Now, given a reasonable choice, I would probably not support a Unity candidate. I would likely have trouble with an ABC candidate. But I do not have a choice at all – retirees don’t vote. That’s wrong. Unfair. We are part of TRSNYC. We contributed for years. We should have a say in how it is run. I hope we can begin to address this.
The Story that Got Missed
Last summer, after the election, Unity (or were they the union officers, acting on behalf of the UFT, not of a caucus? I think they were acting as Unity) fired a handful of people. People who had openly opposed them, run against them – not really fair – but not surprising either.
But whoever engineered this purge went further – they fired people who were friends with ABC, but who had not run against them – and in one case, Hector Ruiz, who had run with Unity against his friends. And David was fired from his job. This was a warning shot – do not even look disloyal, or you will pay. It was heavy-handed. It is overreaction based in fear, and in insecurity. Whoever did this, one day they should be held to account. Going after friends and family of your opponents should be out of bounds.
And it failed. Frank Panebianco was a Unity loyalist. And despite the purge, he stood up to them. Whoever organized the purge – that person is a disgrace. And a failure. And Frank Panebianco is the evidence.
Longshot, but a good guy
Frank doesn’t have much of a shot. Maybe he should. Math degree, business background. Qualified (honestly, anyone can be trained to be a trustee. It doesn’t take special background. Tom was a Spanish teacher. David is an Art teacher.)
He thought he was next in line, for a long time. He was passed over repeatedly. Eventually he said no, enough. He had been a pension consultant. He quit. He went back to the classroom. Voluntarily.
Back to the Classroom
He went back to the classroom voluntarily. That doesn’t happen. Not with Unity folks. If they have another option, they take it. When Michael Shulman defeated George Altomare, George turned in his papers the next day. Was not going back to the classroom. When Amy was fired, she retired rather than teach. David went back because he had no choice. When Unity has “fired” full-timers, they don’t fire them, they move them. In my years of experience, I knew of only one Unity full-timer who voluntarily returned to the classroom (a DR in Brooklyn). Had a lot of respect for that. And now Frank makes two,
Like I wrote, I don’t expect Frank to win. And in the end, I don’t know how much, if any, difference a TRS Trustee will have. But the fact that after the purge Frank still chose to run – that should scare Unity.
Catching up – overdue UFT election analysis
After pretty much every UFT election over the last few decades I’ve written some analysis. Here’s 2010. And 2013. I wrote in 2016. And in 2019. And in 2022.
And I was ready for 2025. But I paused. 2025 was going to be a tougher analysis –
- two well-known figures from Unity ran against Unity (one the headliner, the other the man partially behind the curtain) as part of ABC. That was a different from the previous quarter century. That broke the pattern (sometimes a coalition of groups running against Unity; sometimes separate groups running against Unity)
- And in July of 2025, when I first sat down to write analysis it seemed that the campaign had not stopped. Unity fired a bunch of people who were sympathetic to ABC. There was an ongoing investigation into misogynistic election-related harassment. And ABC was still campaigning.
I figured it made sense to wait for the campaign to end. But it has not. And clearly, it will not. OK.
I will start. What needs to be included?
- Patterns before 2025:
- “Opposition” votes going up or down, independent of Unity. (Unity and opposition “fishing for voters in separate ponds”).
- Corollary: For analysis, we look at numbers. For propaganda, we look at percents. (I look at numbers of votes, not percents).
- An “opposition” majority among high school activists/voters.
- Unity vote slipping, with bumps, on a longterm downward trend.
- “Opposition” votes staying fairly steady overall, with big bumps and dips in individual years. Flat trend.
- Retiree votes happen differently. Retirees voted and continued to vote exactly as they had right before retirement – until MulgrewCare. But MulgrewCare suppressed Unity turnout, got many non-opposition people to vote against Unity, and got some Unity voters to cross-over – highly unusual. There’s an added story – the victory of Retiree Advocate in the 2024 UFT Retired Teachers Chapter election.
- I don’t write about the “functional” vote – because I understand less of who votes – with so many chapters being thrown together.
2. Numbers
- All the vote totals from the previous 8 or so elections
- The vote totals from 2025
- Turnout numbers since 2000
3. The slates
- The significance of Unity members running against Unity
- How it happened that Unity members ran against Unity
- How we ended up with three slates
- What was ABC? (and what is it now?)
4. The campaigns – there’s not too much to write, but a few unusual factors:
- Substack
- Pizzitola
- Trump
- Paul
5. The results
- Numbers
- Retirees
- High Schools
- Which patterns broke?
- Which patterns held?
6. Significance for the future
I will write about bits and pieces. I will jump around. I’m not doing this in order. When I am finished I may try to recompile the whole thing into a single article. That might be long – if I get to it.
A closing thought, for now. A story
In the spring of 2022 after some event I ended up in a long conversation with Cristina Gavin and some guy – older than me – or at least seemed to be – I don’t recall his name. We were “United for Change.” We were on the street, partially blocked off by construction, maybe near NYU. Maybe the guy was on a bicycle? In any case, he was trying to project numbers forward, and how the “opposition” could catch Unity. I was trying to explain both what the numbers showed, and how tightly Unity grips power – that we were not going to simply creep ahead of them in the vote. He argued that this had to be wrong, because that meant there was no way to beat Unity.
I agreed, and disagreed. There was no way to beat Unity as he and Cristina were thinking. But 1) campaigning and working in the UFT was important to do, not just for winning, but also for changing, adjusting, pressuring and improving policy and 2) at some point someone or some group of people in Unity might get pissed off and break with them. The cause could be personal grievance. The cause could be politics (big politics, national stuff, or smaller, local stuff). The cause could be a competent union functionary getting fed up with general incompetence. And when this happened, that break might lead to a change in UFT leadership.
So that raises a question. There was a break with Unity – how did it not lead to a change in leadership?
Stay tuned. I’ll try to get to that. And to numbers, analysis, and thoughts for the future.
Rosenberg Fund for Children
I went to visit my mom. April 6 – April 11. We went to a lot of doctor’s appointments. That was hard. But we had a lot of time to chat. She was happy I visited. We didn’t try to take any walks – not this visit – not unless you count long corridors. But when I left Saturday April 11, I didn’t head home. I went to Northampton.
I have on my shelf a signed copy of An Execution in the Family. Robert Meeropol wrote it. And signed it. I think my mother got it at an event in Easthampton years ago. Bobby’s parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were executed, killed, murdered, by the United States government when Bobby was a little boy. Julius had passed on unconsequential “secrets” – and Ethel had done nothing at all – and the prosecutors knew that. But the book is not about Bobby’s parents –
it’s really about Bobby, about growing up the son of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. About being hounded. About being adopted by the Meeropols. Abel Meeropol, by the way, was a teacher at DeWitt Clinton HS. Taught James Baldwin. A member of the NY Teachers Union, not the UFT. And Abel was a poet. Wrote “Bitter Fruit” – an anti-lynching poem. Name changed by the time Billie Holiday made it famous as “Strange Fruit.”
In any case, the story is about Bobby and his older brother Michael growing up. And then it follows Bobby as a student activist. And then a lawyer. And then
the founder of the Rosenberg Fund for Children (RFC). The RFC supports the children of targeted activists. It pays for classes, for summer camp, for therapy, for enrichment. Because when your parents are fighting the good fight, it means something is wrong with your society, which can stress a kid. And when your parents are targeted, that’s certain to stress you as a kid. And forget about you as a the kid of targeted parents being targeted yourself.
So my mom was drawn to the story, and the cause. Thus the book. And fast forward a few years, and I saw the Strange Fruit story, and decided to donate to something (immediately after the murder of George Floyd), and chose the Rosenberg Fund for Children, partly because of the Meeropol/teacher thing, and partly because I knew my mom would like it.
And then I read the book. The signed copy my mom must have made a donation to get. And the story was compelling. I started donating every year. I guess to please my mom? But I think because it is a compelling cause. I hate when children are victims. And this year was the RFC’s 35th Anniversary, and there was some sort of public event April 11, in Northampton, and Angela Davis was speaking. What the hell – I donated extra and got a ticket and entrance to the reception.
And so I left my mom April 11, but told her where I was going. It made her happy. I’m pretty sure she forgot soon after. But I drove to Northhampton, and listened to poetry and songs and talks… Angela Davis was sick and couldn’t make it. Bobby Meeropol wasn’t scheduled to speak, but did. He told the story of founding the RFC. Which I knew, mostly, because I’d read the book. Jenn Meeropol, his daughter and the RFC’s today director spoke. And a recipient. And it was warm and meaningful,
and I was happy to be there. And I imagined how my mom would have reacted to the poet, if she were better. (Probably would have rolled her eyes at the idea of poetry, but then enjoyed his words and his style). She would have participated better than me in the singalong. Not sure if she would have been bothered sitting in a church. And my thoughts floated between the ceiling and the speakers and my mom and the stained glass. And then it ended. And people were milling and chatting with me – even though no one knew me. I felt welcomed, part of an extended family. And the feeling continued across the street at the reception.
Now I’ve told my mom a few times about me going. And each time she’s pleased, in part because she forgets. I’m not sure she even remembers my visit a week and change ago. I still imagine that I am involved to please her. And that’s what drew me. But it is more than that. These are good people. They are doing good work. To help children whose parents have been victimized due to political activism. Anti-war. Queer rights. Trans rights. Indigenous rights. To help kids. Summer Camp. Therapy. Special classes. Art classes. Music classes. Even clown classes. I can say I do it for my mom. But I do it for the kids. Because it is right. Please consider donating as well. They really are warm, caring, good folks.
Losing Time
Have you ever lost time?
Wednesday was a good morning – school visit – nice conversation – and I got home, and the day slowed down. I had a list of things to do. I sat down. Started. Got distracted. Left the house to take care of a big errand, had a nice walk. And sat down again, and time passed. I was aware that my mind was getting pulled in several directions – things I was going to take care of. I spent time thinking about what to do next, what steps. I got distracted by an email. Then a call. I kept replanning. I paused to play a game. Came back to the same spot, having made little progress. Fortunately I got a text around 6 – was I coming? And I was aware that I should have already left – it was a meeting I was happy to be invited to, just 20 minute’s walk away. But I thought thoughts about what else I had to do, and 20minutes later I had not stood up. Well, I did, and arrived late (and realized I had misunderstood what the meeting was – a story for another day – but nice people with good priorities – glad I made it)
I didn’t fall asleep. I certainly didn’t “black out.” I just thought, considered, got distracted, planned, thought… all the right things, except I didn’t do anything.
And then Thursday I worked and was not in a good mood (work these days makes me happy, so that was strange). I couldn’t let go of the frustration from the day. Plus I lost something, and hunted and hunted and hunted for it, retracing steps, almost compulsively (earbud – set it down at Wednesday’s meeting – I picked it up Friday). Thursday evening, of course, I was hunting, and running thoughts through my head, and getting nothing done.
Friday early in the morning I volunteer. My absence or presence is unimportant, I am part of a larger group, and who is there is there. I did not sleep well and decided to take the day to recover. But I was unable to finish anything. I made a list. I checked nothing off it. Same thing. I was aware that I was losing time, but I was losing time.
Saturday – I had weekend plans, but minor, and had undone them. Free day. I would break out. And take a nice walk. And I didn’t. Ten item “to do” list – knowing I would get to some, but not all. I didn’t take a walk. And I checked off exactly one item. And now here I am today, Sunday, and I am behind again, still behind. But feeling better (my thoughts), and ready to go for a walk. Let’s see. I should get some stuff done.
What happened?
I do fall behind on daily tasks, and on bigger work. That’s me. And I catch up. Also me. And this winter’s been ok for me. So nothing out of the ordinary. Not sure what broke on Wednesday. But clearly something did. I got some news that maybe was worse than I realized. I didn’t process it as sad, but maybe it was. And I had a conversation at some point (Friday?) about a relative who has some degree of “time blindness” – nothing like planting an idea. But I had already been barely treading water for two days.
Back on track?
I think so. I expect to come back here with an update in one day: Second half of Sunday was fine, and Monday was fine. We will see.
Ideas?
This is just weird. There’ve been times I didn’t do much – got lazy, got stuck on a project, or in a book. But to get frozen for a few days? Never. Just weird.
So first, want to make sure I’m out of “it” – whatever “it” was.
And second, I’m really curious what “it” was.
Postscript
Knocked off a few emails, some light cleaning, and got outside (Van Cortlandt Park). This’ll be ok. Still want to figure out what happened.
Some Buds
What does 62 get you?
It’s my uncle’s 70th coming up. That’s a big deal. He is my mother and aunt’s baby brother. 70. But he’s agonizing – his business is turning 43. He’s thinking of putting on their website:
What’s so Special About 43? Nothing!
… and then posting 43 of their best pieces of work.
I told him about the non-special number paradox: What’s the first number with nothing special about it? 1 is 1, it is first. 2 is the first number that is not 1. 3 is the first odd prime. 4 is the first perfect square. 5 is the first sum of two distinct primes. And so on. And at some point you get to a number, and you’ve run out of things to say that are special, so you call that the first non-special number. But of course, it is the first. And that’s special.
My uncle loved it, and wanted to work that into his website. I didn’t bother explaining – he will realize. Anyhow, he gets congratulations for 70, a milestone. And 43, some other kind of stone.
But me? I just turned 62. What do you get for 62?
I’m not cashing in social security. Not yet. I bet there are a bunch of discounts. But here’s where I started.
I was up in Cambridge with my mom. Came back President’s Day, but instead of coming straight home, stayed on the Mass Pike all the way, got to the highest point on I-90 east of South Dakota (there was a sign. That’s got to be one of my favorite highway signs, ever.) Crossed into New York State. Took the Taconic south, and then local roads to Hyde Park. I was headed to Vanderbilt Mansion.
In the Visitors Center at Vanderbilt Mansion I asked to buy a Senior Lifetime National Park Pass. $80. They asked for ID. And then the coup – I asked if I could use it for the next house tour. $80 out of pocket, but with an immediate $15 yield… smart, right? Starting at -$65 instead of -$80? Except it was Presidents Day, and the tours were free. So not only did I not make a dent in the $80 fee, I lost a chance to save $15, so I’ll need to save $95 to break even… Don’t worry. I’ve got this.
I also blew the timing, a tour had just left. So I walked down to the Hudson, to Bard Rock (is that an island?) The road was clear, but there was snow on the side, so I decided it would be fun to walk on the edge, until my second step. Ice on top, snow below, up to my knee. I stayed on the road.
Mansion itself? I did find a nice octagon, but overall not my cup of tea. I’ll have to get to Acadia or the Grand Canyon or something…
Birthday Week Ripple
I went to bed Sunday before last with a couple of notes caught in my head, a melodic earworm. I know the sound and the rhythm, not the words. Started humming it. Over and over. I knew the artist – the Grateful Dead – but not the song. But it’s happy-sounding music, so I smiled as I hummed along. And that’s how I began my birthday week. Waking up Monday with that same tune.
It was a good birthday week. Monday morning I met The Jose Vilson for coffee. It had been too long. And we will have to talk more – politics AND pedagogy (and life). I walked out of the coffee shop smiling. And humming. Same tune.
I looked it up. Ripple. Very catchy. Mostly listened to music and let the words run by without grasping them. I’m having trouble writing even right now, the song’s on loop, and it’s hard not to bop along.
Tuesday was a nice day – met student teachers – nice group. I shared this puzzle with them. I used to be terrified of middle school – and now I work more with middle school than high school. What a long, strange… (ha ha)
Wednesday was the day. Fifty-twelve. Another cycle around the sun. Since Bella was going away, we had birthday Dosas in Jackson Heights. Kate and Shelby rounded out the company. I had rasam, and there were appetizers that I mostly skipped, but I had some rav masala dosa and some pondicherry dosa. Drove everyone back to Astoria, Then stuffed, happy, and humming returned to the Bronx. I think I spoke with someone from my old school.
Thursday was quiet. And I finally dug into my lyrics. I like this verse:
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
So maybe it’s a road, not a cycle? I like the travel symbolism, and decided it fit with my birthday. Lifetime as a journey.
Audio is cleaner here, words are clearer (since now I was listening, and thinking):
Friday was my first official “celebration” day. Who showed up at the bar? Drifting in and out? Alumni who are teachers. Alumni who are not teachers. An alum’s mom. Retirees from my school. Retirees who I hang out with. A relative. A UFT full-timer. Folks from MORE. Some Unity folks (at the far end of the bar, but said hi, and hung out later). A couple of folks from New Action. Community activists. A few current teachers from my old school.
That’s the idea – lowkey – from various places. It’s still mostly teachers and students – that’s where I’ve spent a lot of time. But hanging out. Relaxed. Chatting. Catching up. That was a nice celebration.
The rest of the song – by Saturday it was fading from mind, a bit – but the lyrics are also interesting:
Ripple
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they’re better left unsung
I don’t know, don’t really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who’s to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home
It’s not just a journey. And it’s not all upbeat, even if the melody and rhythm are. There’s religious images, but from a variety of religions. That “ripple in still water” business is decidedly philosophical.
Here’s a verse without instruments – changes the effect:
And I still like the melody and the rhythm, and tap my feet and bounce to the music. This is the soundtrack to my fifty twelfth birthday week. Celebratory, no matter what words they sing. Celebrating all these years, and this journey so far. A walk – but where’m’I headed?
Well, Sunday, that was not a question. Birthday walk. Started on Broadway. It was cold. And the paths through Van Cortlandt Park had a thick blanket of snow, with crust and ice. It was work moving forward. But we did. Five souls. We knew where we were heading – the weir, and back to the Tortoise and Hare. A loop. A cycle. And after I had the most delicious birthday pho with Carol.
Until next year. I wonder what song will join me then.
Mam endorses Mom?
No one I respect would prefer Andrew Cuomo over Kathy Hochul. I don’t say that as a reason to support Hochul. I am setting an outer limit on how bad a candidate the Democratic Party has picked for NY State Governor. “Hochul is better than two-time loser Cuomo” is meant as information, not an endorsement.
I did not endorse “One Tough Mother” Hochul. But Zohran Mamdani did.
I haven’t been writing, so I haven’t been writing about Zohran. I’m not starting there. Rather, I’m watching, reacting, and commenting on what others say about him. Forget the NY Post and the crazy right wing. Of course they hate him. Or The New York Times and the Cuomo democrats, leaning on him to abandon his principles one day and rooting for his failure the next. I am more curious about the people who supported Mamdani for Mayor (and I am in that group).
Zohran and Schools (so far)
I was actually worried early on that he was not paying much attention to schools. I proposed the slogan “Fast and Free Public Schools” – catchy, but meaningless, but it would have placed schools in his regular banter. There was no interest. And we saw what played out – as soon as he won, he dropped his opposition to Mayoral Control of our public schools. And he appointed a very nice status quo Schools Chancellor.
Why bring up education? Because of how his supporters reacted. And remember, I am around some of his supporters who have strong interest in what happens with the New York City Board of Education, or whatever it is called today. And some of them were livid. Outraged. Kamar Samuels was business as usual. And the reversal on Mayoral Control was a betrayal. ZM supporters wanted to denounce ZM? And some of his supporters not only forgave him, but made excuses. They dug a couple of small favorable things out of Samuels’ record and claimed he was a great choice (just, no). They made excuses for keeping Mayoral Control.
Me? I think ZM made a bad pick for Chancellor, but not terrible. Of those who had been trained in Bloomberg/Klein’s Department of Education, Samuels was one of the stronger possible picks. But he was trained in Bloomberg/Klein’s school reform, market-oriented, data-driven department. KS is not purely status quo. But he’s pretty close to it. And on Mayoral Control? That was a bad deal. He disappointed supporters. He was looking right in the face of making real systemic change, and he chose not to. Honestly, I don’t think he was ready to. Remember, no focus on education through his entire campaign. So here I am disagreeing with Zohran’s two biggest moves on education. I’m not pretending his mistakes are brilliant. But I am also not denouncing him for making bad decisions.
Zohran and Change
Zohran Mamdani will get some real change for us. This business with childcare? Huge. Absolutely huge. And there will be more. And he ran a brilliant campaign. But that does not make him a brilliant politician. He will get some big things right. He already has. But he will do things that are wrong. He already has.
One idea that’s worth considering, at each step of the way – comes from baseball stats – “Wins with Replacement” – how would the team have done with an average player instead of the one they’ve got – and specifically how many more or fewer wins would they have. In other words, not “is Volpe a good shortstop?” but “how many more games would the Yankees have won with a hypothetical MLB-average shortstop?” And the parallel question – for each move Mamdani makes, good or bad, what would that sad SAC – Sliwa, Adams, or Cuomo – have done? Put the Kamar Samuels choice in that context – and it should be clear why I criticize without condemning.
Part of Zohran’s presence, a benefit of having “Mayor Mamdani,” is the space he creates. No, he will not do everything I want him to, or that any activists want him to (I write “activist” but assume you know I mean “progressive activist”). But his presence makes it far easier for us to organize. Expectations are up, true. And while some will wait for Zohran to do it for us, more already know or will come to realize, we still need to act for ourselves – but today we get to do it with an ally, maybe a bit inconsistent here and there, but genuinely an ally, in City Hall. And when he is not there for us, he will make it easier for us to be there for us.
So what about the Hochul endorsement?
I already know, some people are furious. Others are disappointed. Hell, I bet some are pleased.
There are people who like Kathy Hochul, a lot. I’m not talking about them, not now.
There are people who like Antonio Delgado, a lot. I’m confused by them. Sure, Delgado says a lot of progressive stuff today. But that’s part of his campaign. Has he been an activist? No. Did he do anything special in Congress? No. He was best known for always voting “the right” way. And not speaking. When Zohran ran, he had a thin legislative record, too. Except the one thing he did, free buses, was signature. And the campaign he was part of, the hunger strike against medallion debt. Delgado got anything like either of those? Being loyal and quiet doesn’t count.
There are people who thought that the endorsement was brilliant, that now she owes him. I’ve got something to say about that, further down.
Look, Hochul was going to win. Doesn’t mean he has to endorse her. But he also needs Hochul to move on several of his major issues. Revenue is key. Tax the rich? Or get the money from somewhere else? Mamdani isn’t going to roll over Hochul, so he’ll need her to move on this, so he can move his agenda. And for anyone outraged over Mamdani endorsing Hochul, think about Mamdani’s agenda, and Hochul’s power, and relax.
I figured, way out, that as a practical matter, Hochul was the odds on favorite and Delgado was uninspiring. Only question, in my mind, first for the WFP, then after he became odds on favorite for mayor, for Zohran Mamdani, was what was the best deal they could trade for that endorsement. Hochul was the favorite, is the favorite, but even a favorite does not want the risk of a primary, the distraction of a primary, the cost of a primary. She knew that. Zohran knew that.
Now I worried a little. Zohran ran an impressive campaign. But he’s already been caught asleep by Julie Mennin, and lost track of education before he started. So the power part of politics? Would he know how to play hardball?
So that’s where I leave this. Zohran didn’t play hardball on this one. Not a good negotiation. He already had childcare promised. It was his chance to get more, and instead he got future consideration, which might be something, and might be nothing. I’m not a big fan of the endorsement because I’m not a big fan of Hochul. But it was sort of inevitable, and so I’m not terribly worked up about it either. I am not annoyed that Zohran endorsed Hochul. I’m annoyed that he didn’t get anything for it. For us.
Birthday Puzzles
I got a card in the mail with a math puzzle on it. I solve it while walking up the stairs (6 flights, but still…) Here goes:
If each letter represents a digit, what is the true equation?
MA × CA = WWW
There was something about this that made it quick work for me. Do you want to guess what that was?
Later, I shared the puzzle with a few people, and the most interested of them was having trouble seeing the digits as digits (with place value) – he hadn’t done this sort of puzzle before. And we couldn’t really talk. So I made him a puzzle where the idea of being a digit was clearer, and easier for him to figure without me explaining:
DAB
+DAD
ABCD
And the whole group had fun with this one.
New York City’s Hidden History – Freedom Day (reprint)
Forward: I’ve been writing about Freedom Day (February 3, 1964) on its anniversary for several years now. I am glad to see the anniversary getting marked a bit more widely this year: Alan Singer sent out something, I think this might be the first time. I see pages about it on more websites than a year ago. And an internet search shows more new hits in the last month. That said, my discussions in the last year brought me to someone who thinks integration was not the goal the Black community was after, but was in a sense a concession… I don’t know about that – but it deserves more careful research. Anyway, here’s my recycled post:
Huge civil rights protest, half a million, 60 years ago. And some of you might want to say, “but the March on Washington was sixty and a half years ago – and it was a quarter million” – which is correct. And it makes the point. A protest, twice the size, not in Washington DC but here in New York City, happened 60 years ago, and it is hidden.
The NY Daily news sent a note to subscribers – 60 years ago (Wednesday) a few hundred school kids skipped schools to greet the Beatles at JFK. A few hundred. None of the NY newspapers sent out notices about the 60th anniversary of half a million kids boycotting school earlier the same week.
Why hide the history? Few people know about “Freedom Day” – it is omitted from our history text books – around the country, and, worse, in New York State and New York City. Why do leaders and educators hide such a major event?
Let’s pause for a second, and just review what happened. February 3, 1964 was Freedom Day in New York City. 470,000 students boycotted school, and many engaged in additional protest and demonstration. They were demanding integration. They got empty promises, that were broken.
I don’t trust you anymore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ25-U3jNWM
You keep on saying, “Go slow”
Go slow
But that’s just the trouble (too slow)
Desegregation (too slow)
Mass participation (too slow)
Other actions, strategies, and protests have occurred since. With the same results. Or less. New York City operates one of the most highly segregated big city school systems in the nation today.
From Time Magazine, September 2020:
(that’s an 8 minute video. There’s also a print story)
So Freedom Day was momentously huge. It did not bring about change. It set the pattern for promising discussions or studies down the road, and delivering nothing.
Is Freedom Day part of our history?
If a textbook in Colorado skipped over a huge protest in another part of the country that did not result in big change – I kind of get that. But half a million students is a lot. And the fact that the Civil Rights Movement produced the March on Washington that we think of as a turning point, but Freedom Day, twice as big, that did not change anything… probably worth mentioning.
But we are not in Colorado. We are in New York City. And when there are large national events or changes, we often include lessons on how they played out in our state. New York City during the Civil War (draft riots). New York City and immigration (Jacob Riis and Tenements). New York City and suburbanization (Levittown). But what about the struggle against segregation? That was across the country, including here. And a massive school boycott – that’s the biggest political action by students in New York City, well, ever. How do we leave our history out of our textbooks?
There is Black History in New York in our textbooks. I don’t have a DoE approved book at home – but Brittanica Kids has an article about riots in Harlem. But nothing about Freedom Day. Freedom Day was organized. It involved many, many more people. Why would Brittanica (and I assume other texts) privilege a story of chaotic response over an inspiring, bigger story of well-organized response?
Is Freedom Day “uncomfortable”?
If the March on Washington is history, but Freedom Day is not… If the Harlem riots are history… but Freedom Day is not… maybe the question is who is making that decision – and do they have an interest in including some stories and excluding others.
Yet, King highlighted the venality of more “polite” forms of racism and challenged Northern liberals to address racism at home — and not just in the South. Violence and hate-filled rhetoric were not the only methods by which White supremacy was maintained. King identified how people, including those who may have deplored Southern injustice, maintained the racial status quo. Moderates and liberals deployed “both-sidesism,” argued that time would solve the problems of racism, cast disruptive protest as unwise and unreasonable and embraced ideas like the “culture of poverty” to justify strong-arm policing and explain away inequities in their own cities.
https://www.aaihs.org/martin-luther-king-jr-s-challenge-to-his-liberal-allies/
Freedom Day challenged – and the fact that it occurred challenges – present tense – the racial status quo in New York City. The stories of the riots provide a rationale (false) for more and more aggressive policing – and that is “policing” which was, and continues to be, largely directed at people of color. And the story of the defeat of Freedom Day highlights the duplicity of those who counsel patience, going slow, “this is not the right time,” more study, etc.
More Links
I have been writing about Freedom Day for several years. This year I am four days late. Short post. Meandering story I told kids one year.
Chris Bonastia’s book covers much of the story of Freedom Day in detail. I recommend it.
Who decides what is history?
Freedom Day is uncomfortable. It is inconvenient. But it was a huge, huge event. It was defeated by double-talking politicians. And it continues to be mistreated, by being kept hidden from generations of students. Who has decided, up to now, that it is not taught in our schools? And who will decide to remedy that injustice?
Missing digits puzzle
Can you find the missing digits?
Could I have offered fewer digits (and still have one solution?) could I spread the digits better?
_ _
x _ _
________
496
1860
—————
—- —- —- —-
Tuesday’s Close Election: Proposal One
Zohran won six days ago. That was the election that everyone remembers. But there was more on the ballot. Proposals 2 – 6 were about New York City (2 – 5 passed, 6 failed). But Proposal One was a state Proposal. And it was one of the closest votes last Tuesday.
New York State has parks. The US Government has national parks. Other states have parks. But none of them, not even Yellowstone, are protected by a constitution. Except for two. Catskill Park and Adirondack Park are protected by the NY State Constitution. They are the best protected parks in the entire country. But are they?
Adirondack Park is huge. Six million acres. Bigger than all of New Jersey. About the size of New Hampshire, or Vermont, or North Macedonia. With different rules for how land is protected and used in the park. It’s a mix of public and private land. There are towns in the park. Over 100,000 people live inside its boundaries.
Here’s a cool map of land use in Adirondack Park.
But I asked, is it really well-protected? (Now I’m forgetting about Catskills, just talking about Adirondack Park.) Well, sort of. There are restrictions and regulations on development, on clearing land, on building structures. But they are not always followed to a T. Some locals, understandably, bristle at some of the limitations – why are they restricted from certain activity on public land? On private land they own? But we are not talking about, mostly, major encroachments. Proposal One was about a major encroachment.
Lake Placid is in the northeast of the Park. Winter Olympics twice. Other major winter sports events. And five years ago the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) built some cross country or bobsled or somesuch trails – not where they should have been built, but by clearing some land in Adirondack Park that should not have been cleared. 343 acres out of 6,000,000 may seem small, but over 300 acres is a real violation. Here is a summary of the story on public radio up there. Here’s another summary on a local TV station.
So what to do? The approach of Proposal One was to carve the land out of the park (for as long as ORDA is using it, then return it) and add 2500 acres elsewhere to the park. And this could only be done by amending the NY State Constitution.
- Why is this good? Once done, there will be no related violations of the constitution in play. The park will have lost 400 acres and gained 2500 – a net win.
- Why is this bad? ORDA gets away with what it did, without penalty. They claim inadvertent – I’m suspicious.
- Why not another approach? Make them put it back? Seriously, might make us feel better, but doesn’t help.
- What’s not relevant? It does not open up the park for development (the amendment is only about this parcel). It does not set precedent.
And who supported this? All the environmentalists working to preserve Adirondack Park. That’s a big deal. And who opposed this?
Let’s go to election night. Huge turnout in NYC, swamped the rest of the state more than NYC usually swamps the rest of the state. And surprise – early on, Proposal One was going down statewide. Outside of NYC it was passing near 60%. But in NYC? Even votes in Manhattan and the Bronx. Big negative vote in Queens. And huge votes against in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Think about that – when do Brooklyn and Staten Island agree? Not on the choice of Mayor. Or President. Or much else. But they were #1 and #2 in all of NYS, and they almost succeeded in defeating Proposal One.
Late returns from Westchester County, and Rochester and Buffalo, and Niagara County turned Proposal One from a 50,000 vote loser to a win over 100,000 votes. NYC voted “no” by over 150,000 votes. The rest of New York voted yes by 300,000. This map is weird.
The land is in Essex County –
- and Essex and the surrounding North Country counties had most of the highest yes vote in the state.
- High environmental awareness drove yes votes especially in college towns – look especially at Tompkins County, the dark green square where Cornell and Ithaca are located – but also Broome (Binghamton), Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselear…
- Pretty much the rest of New York State voted in the mid 50s to low 60s yes, including Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo.
- The NYC suburbs were closer – Nassau and Suffolk in the low 50s, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Orange a little higher on average – but definitely a lower average than the rest of the state, except…
- New York City! Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, what’s up? The original 718. What’s up with that? For some of those voters, a MAGA lean, including “I vote no on everything.” Upstate turnout was lower, there wasn’t a huge competitive mayor’s race. So NYC had many more low information voters – who might be more suspect of government. And who live very far from the affected area. And there was definitely a push (poorly informed) among some local progressive organizations (who are also very far from the affected area) to oppose the measure. Reading what was written, I am fairly certain the drivers of this campaign had neither read the amendment nor spoken to any activists on the ground.
But whatever, Staten MAGA Island and Progressive brownstone Brooklyn came together and almost killed this proposal.
Edit: It is clear that the supporters of this amendment did a poor job getting the word out about why they wanted this to pass. Certainly their thinking did not reach many NYC voters.
Here’s the amended (added) language, linked back to the full proposal:
It’s easy to know who not to trust – NYCE PPO (with update)
What follows is a repost of what I wrote on Substack Wednesday – with some additional info:
- The Professional Staff Congress (CUNY professors and others union) will be abstaining at the MLC. Somehow this has been misreported – please pay attention to how trustworthy your sources are (or aren’t).
- Retiree Advocate has a variety of views – and will not be taking a single position.
- I will try to write more, probably little bits, between now and Monday.
- I am, by the way, a pre-medicare retiree. I usually don’t write about personal impact, but in this case I should.
There’s a lot of discussion of the proposed new healthcare plan for in-service employees and pre-Medicare retirees. But not much of it is trustworthy.
On the one hand we have leadership loyalists, Unity supporters, who say yes when so instructed. They are not sharing information, but scripts. Even smart and pleasant people, when ordered to sell something – can end up sounding like salesmen. Why would anyone trust someone who was going to support this no matter what was inside?
On the other hand, we have people who are driven completely by their opposition to Unity. They knew they were voting no before any details were released. They search for reasons to oppose, and construct what might be wrong, based on a lack of information. They are loud, insistent, and driven by political considerations – not by the needs of our members. Why would anyone trust someone who was going to oppose this no matter what was inside?
When I left the Professional Staff Congress’ zoom last Wednesday, I did not know which way their Delegate Assembly would vote (ultimately they instructed, I believe, their reps to abstain at the MLC). I understood some strengths of the plan, and some concerns. And I was left with more questions. But I also trusted that I had gotten some real answers.
All of last Wednesday’s PSC information zoom:
The opening 20 minutes or so are presentation – James Davis, PSC President, Debbie Bell, PSC’s retired Executive Director, and Barbara Caress, a healthcare policy expert from the Zicklin School at Baruch College – the next almost 10 minutes are summary (Davis) – and the next hour and 15 minutes are Q&A.
I would suggest that James Davis’ summary is a good place to start, though perhaps it is easier to follow after listening to the opening. In any case, the summary runs from about 26:30 to 34:50
The Q&A is quite rich – PSCers have some of the same concerns, some different concerns, from us. There were at least two UFT/PSC members who asked questions. I think the Mamdani question is interesting. I notice that the PSC strongly supports self-insurance as a cost-savings measure.
JD2718 