Comments on: Testimony From the Trenches http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: shouldhavegonetomeds http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2655 shouldhavegonetomeds Fri, 28 Oct 2005 02:23:12 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2655 Well teachers did vote for Bloomberg, but their really buddy (sic) was the truly lovely Mr. Giulianni!!! I never understood how people with Master's degrees and families to support did not realize Giulilanni was their mortal, mortal enemy. Maybe they finally are waking up. I myself voted NO of course. If i needed extra $$$$$ that badly I would drive a taxi or tend bar before I'd accept that piece of crap. Well teachers did vote for Bloomberg, but their really buddy (sic) was the truly lovely Mr. Giulianni!!! I never understood how people with Master’s degrees and families to support did not realize Giulilanni was their mortal, mortal enemy. Maybe they finally are waking up.

I myself voted NO of course. If i needed extra $$$$$ that badly I would drive a taxi or tend bar before I’d accept that piece of crap.

]]> By: ChptrLdr http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2557 ChptrLdr Tue, 25 Oct 2005 21:45:19 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2557 Why is Unity sending out ill informed VP's and district reps? My school was told that the 1975 strike directly resulted in layoffs, and this could happen again. They were also told that a no vote would definitely lead to a strike. We were also told that the "no" vote 2 contracts ago gained us nothing,and grievances of letters in file are rarely won. The most interesting remark from the stong armer who graced us with his presence was, "You people were told not to vote for Bloomberg, but you did. Now you get what you deserve.” Huh? Why is Unity sending out ill informed VP’s and district reps? My school was told that the 1975 strike directly resulted in layoffs, and this could happen again. They were also told that a no vote would definitely lead to a strike. We were also told that the “no” vote 2 contracts ago gained us nothing,and grievances of letters in file are rarely won. The most interesting remark from the stong armer who graced us with his presence was, “You people were told not to vote for Bloomberg, but you did. Now you get what you deserve.” Huh?

]]> By: shouldhavegonetomeds http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2177 shouldhavegonetomeds Wed, 19 Oct 2005 02:01:33 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2177 There are a number of threads here and elsewhere noting the terrible times. Funny because because the highly popular mayor and his great friend President Bush to whom he donates millions run on platforms of prosperity and good times. Indeed that's how they win. In bad times you vote the incumbent out very often. Yet,even accepting the bad times arguement consider nurses, who asks them to give back anything even in this environment? Their admittedly very hard earned and very deserved salaries are rising rather steadily with no real end in sight at the country faces a serious shortage of nurses. Why would teachers give back when nurses, the other female dominated pick collar profession is not doing the same? Frankly too these givebacks are not being demanded of teachers in the surrounding burbs even now. They are largely a NYC creation right now. Don't cow to the billionaire bastard. I suspect even if he wins his popularity will be as long lasting as his buddy George W.!!! Don't think either of the sorry kismet of every blue collar worker. Think instead of nurses, teachers in nearby locales, etc. We are more analagous to them them to GM retirees as the moment. No one has responded to my points about nurses. Perhaps because my arguements are too inarguable.? There are a number of threads here and elsewhere noting the terrible times. Funny because because the highly popular mayor and his great friend President Bush to whom he donates millions run on platforms of prosperity and good times. Indeed that’s how they win. In bad times you vote the incumbent out very often.

Yet,even accepting the bad times arguement consider nurses, who asks them to give back anything even in this environment? Their admittedly very hard earned and very deserved salaries are rising rather steadily with no real end in sight at the country faces a serious shortage of nurses. Why would teachers give back when nurses, the other female dominated pick collar profession is not doing the same?

Frankly too these givebacks are not being demanded of teachers in the surrounding burbs even now. They are largely a NYC creation right now.

Don’t cow to the billionaire bastard. I suspect even if he wins his popularity will be as long lasting as his buddy George W.!!! Don’t think either of the sorry kismet of every blue collar worker. Think instead of nurses, teachers in nearby locales, etc. We are more analagous to them them to GM retirees as the moment.

No one has responded to my points about nurses. Perhaps because my arguements are too inarguable.?

]]> By: fed up speechteacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2130 fed up speechteacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 11:35:38 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2130 I do not imply not negotiating. If we vote no, the mayor is obligated to come back to the negotiating table, or as per the Taylor Law, he is not bargaining in good faith. Sadly, there are no penalties in that law for him. But to say it's the best we can get is not a good enough reason to vote it in and lose all of your rights. You know, the NYPD captains gave up some overtime pay rights for "comp time." It was reported in all the papers last week that the city is now questioning comptime requests, pulling time that was previously approved, and turning requests down. The city plays dirty. Give them an inch and they take a mile. I am not a strike monger, but I would not vote no, if it eventually came to that. You should not so easily be willing to give up your rights. Vote in this contract, and why do we even need a union? We will have already conceded our rights and the union which is already weak, will have no power. Unbelievable. I do not imply not negotiating. If we vote no, the mayor is obligated to come back to the negotiating table, or as per the Taylor Law, he is not bargaining in good faith. Sadly, there are no penalties in that law for him. But to say it’s the best we can get is not a good enough reason to vote it in and lose all of your rights. You know, the NYPD captains gave up some overtime pay rights for “comp time.” It was reported in all the papers last week that the city is now questioning comptime requests, pulling time that was previously approved, and turning requests down. The city plays dirty. Give them an inch and they take a mile. I am not a strike monger, but I would not vote no, if it eventually came to that. You should not so easily be willing to give up your rights. Vote in this contract, and why do we even need a union? We will have already conceded our rights and the union which is already weak, will have no power.
Unbelievable.

]]> By: Bklynteacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2115 Bklynteacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 02:53:56 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2115 Correction: This is why we should not give UP our seniority rights. Correction:
This is why we should not give UP our seniority rights.

]]> By: Bklynteacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2112 Bklynteacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 02:47:08 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2112 While you're at it, what do you think of this part: "Furthermore, teachers who are excessed from their school for budgetary reasons or due to a school’s closing and are unable to secure a position will be offered substitute positions in their former school or District. They will not, however, be able to displace more junior teachers." This is why we should not give us our seniority transfer rights. While you’re at it, what do you think of this part:

“Furthermore, teachers who are excessed from their school for budgetary reasons or due to a school’s closing and are unable to secure a position will be offered substitute positions in their former school or District. They will not, however, be able to displace more junior teachers.”

This is why we should not give us our seniority transfer rights.

]]> By: Bklynteacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2111 Bklynteacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 02:43:33 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2111 BTW I'm wondering why this thread was removed from the main page. Does anyone know? It was difficult to find it. Maybe that's why. Please read the DOE's take on the tentative contract: http://www.nycenet.edu/Administration/mediarelations/PressReleases/2005-2006/10032005.htmP What do you think of the "At the discretion of the Chancellor part.. regarding the extra 4 "periods"? BTW I’m wondering why this thread was removed from the main page. Does anyone know? It was difficult to find it. Maybe that’s why.

Please read the DOE’s take on the tentative contract:

http://www.nycenet.edu/Administration/mediarelations/PressReleases/2005-2006/10032005.htmP

What do you think of the “At the discretion of the Chancellor part.. regarding the extra 4 “periods”?

]]> By: HS_ teacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2105 HS_ teacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 02:02:16 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2105 "shouldhavegonetomeds" & "fed up speechteacher", wonderful argument but again, what do you expect us to do if we do vote "No" or just not negotiate as you imply? Just wait here until the mayor finds the kindness in his heart out of political pressure to give us a better deal. No we'll wait him out! I suppose we won't be so desperate in 7 years of no contract he'll just have to give us something better then. (Hey by the way do the math -I'm not a math teacher. How much of a raise will we need after seven years just to keep up with inflation from 2003 to 2009-compunded remember?) No let us not say that the only other alternative of voting "no" is a strike. Because then we will be labeled by ICE people as being _ _ _ _ (you pick the label). Continue the dialogue and be honest about real alternatives. But I suggest vote yes on the contract proposal. PS- Brilliant argument "Teacher3123"! “shouldhavegonetomeds” & “fed up speechteacher”, wonderful argument but again, what do you expect us to do if we do vote “No” or just not negotiate as you imply? Just wait here until the mayor finds the kindness in his heart out of political pressure to give us a better deal. No we’ll wait him out! I suppose we won’t be so desperate in 7 years of no contract he’ll just have to give us something better then. (Hey by the way do the math -I’m not a math teacher. How much of a raise will we need after seven years just to keep up with inflation from 2003 to 2009-compunded remember?)

No let us not say that the only other alternative of voting “no” is a strike. Because then we will be labeled by ICE people as being _ _ _ _ (you pick the label).

Continue the dialogue and be honest about real alternatives. But I suggest vote yes on the contract proposal.

PS- Brilliant argument “Teacher3123″!

]]> By: fed up speechteacher http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2103 fed up speechteacher Tue, 18 Oct 2005 01:14:48 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2103 Spock, no offense intended, but anyone who can vote yes on this contract has indeed lost their mind. It was bad enough in 2002 that we added the 100 minutes. Let's forget a minute about some precious rights that we will lose which were hard fought for by teachers looking out for future teachers...Do we really want to set the precedent that we will never again get a raise unless we work more time? How does working the full week before Labor Day sound to you? Vote "yes" now, and how long will it take for the leadership to get that perk into a contract for us? With people like you voting, I guess not long. Don't sell your soul for a phony 15% increase. Ever hear this phrase.." If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." Don't be intimidated by a billionaire. Let him see that we are not afraid. Force all sides back to the negotiating table, vote NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Spock,
no offense intended, but anyone who can vote yes on this contract has indeed lost their mind. It was bad enough in 2002 that we added the 100 minutes. Let’s forget a minute about some precious rights that we will lose which were hard fought for by teachers looking out for future teachers…Do we really want to set the precedent that we will never again get a raise unless we work more time? How does working the full week before Labor Day sound to you? Vote “yes” now, and how long will it take for the leadership to get that perk into a contract for us? With people like you voting, I guess not long. Don’t sell your soul for a phony 15% increase. Ever hear this phrase..” If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Don’t be intimidated by a billionaire. Let him see that we are not afraid. Force all sides back to the negotiating table, vote NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

]]> By: Teacher31231 http://www.edwize.org/testimony-from-the-trenches/comment-page-3#comment-2094 Teacher31231 Mon, 17 Oct 2005 23:38:08 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=134#comment-2094 Randi is a dummy and the contract is bad. If you didn't think so before just look in the post and see that she is already talking about renegotiating the "letter" part of it, before we even pass it because it will be a major point of abuse. She will "review" this after the contract is signed, so we have to suffer, and she knows this NOW! God how bad will this thing have to get for our members to wake up! Randi is a dummy and the contract is bad. If you didn’t think so before just look in the post and see that she is already talking about renegotiating the “letter” part of it, before we even pass it because it will be a major point of abuse. She will “review” this after the contract is signed, so we have to suffer, and she knows this NOW!

God how bad will this thing have to get for our members to wake up!

]]>