Comments on: Eduwonk’s “Branding” Problem http://www.edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: NYC Educator http://www.edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem/comment-page-1#comment-17172 NYC Educator Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:59:04 +0000 http://edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem#comment-17172 I don't know whether we've caught up. Browsing the 04-05 Nassau County salary schedules, it looks more as though we'll approach where they were then in two years. It's refreshing, however, to see UFT employees freely admit that our endorsements are for sale and not actually based on principle. Many of us who read the papers have less than fond memories of Governor Pataki vetoing 25/55. I don't remember whether he vetoed improvements to the Taylor Law, but I believe he did that as well. I was proud to vote for Carl McCall, who boldly stood and defended the unfairly defamed Chancellor Fernandez, probably the best I'd ever seen. Now, with the mayoral control the UFT has endorsed, an unmitigated disaster for teachers and students, it's doubtful we'll see his likes again. I don’t know whether we’ve caught up. Browsing the 04-05 Nassau County salary schedules, it looks more as though we’ll approach where they were then in two years.

It’s refreshing, however, to see UFT employees freely admit that our endorsements are for sale and not actually based on principle. Many of us who read the papers have less than fond memories of Governor Pataki vetoing 25/55. I don’t remember whether he vetoed improvements to the Taylor Law, but I believe he did that as well.

I was proud to vote for Carl McCall, who boldly stood and defended the unfairly defamed Chancellor Fernandez, probably the best I’d ever seen.

Now, with the mayoral control the UFT has endorsed, an unmitigated disaster for teachers and students, it’s doubtful we’ll see his likes again.

]]> By: Leo Casey http://www.edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem/comment-page-1#comment-17141 Leo Casey Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:31:55 +0000 http://edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem#comment-17141 George Pataki ran for governor three times. Twice the UFT supported his opponent; in one election -- 2002 -- the UFT supported Pataki. This endorsement took place after Pataki's personal intervention secured state funds to help fund a 16% increase in teacher salaries. For the UFT to retain any credibility with any state legislator of any party, it could not turn its back on an elected official who had come through at that point in such a major way. It is also worth remembering that at that point, unlike today, there was a significant gap between the salaries of NYC educators and the salaries of educators in the surrounding school districts -- and that this led to a loss of some of our best teachers. As Randi made clear at the time, Carl McCall was a long time friend of the UFT and a very decent man. He also did not have even a remote chance of winning this election. Far from being the only union who endorsed Pataki in this election, the UFT was only one of many, including the other major union political power in NYC, 1199. George Pataki ran for governor three times. Twice the UFT supported his opponent; in one election — 2002 — the UFT supported Pataki. This endorsement took place after Pataki’s personal intervention secured state funds to help fund a 16% increase in teacher salaries. For the UFT to retain any credibility with any state legislator of any party, it could not turn its back on an elected official who had come through at that point in such a major way.

It is also worth remembering that at that point, unlike today, there was a significant gap between the salaries of NYC educators and the salaries of educators in the surrounding school districts — and that this led to a loss of some of our best teachers.

As Randi made clear at the time, Carl McCall was a long time friend of the UFT and a very decent man. He also did not have even a remote chance of winning this election. Far from being the only union who endorsed Pataki in this election, the UFT was only one of many, including the other major union political power in NYC, 1199.

]]> By: Schoolgal http://www.edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem/comment-page-1#comment-17088 Schoolgal Sun, 21 Jan 2007 15:28:02 +0000 http://edwize.org/eduwonks-branding-problem#comment-17088 Can you please explain how Pataki was the better choice in terms of political strategy over McCall? What has he done for teachers and public education since that endorsement? Can you please explain how Pataki was the better choice in terms of political strategy over McCall?
What has he done for teachers and public education since that endorsement?

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