I've come to the conclusion that there are few--very few--truthful people in the world. The worst in the untruth area are politicians. Democrat. Republican. It doesn't matter.
Randi Weingarten is disingenuous. She pretends to care for members, but look at the rubber room situation. Look at the ATR situation. If there is no urgency (in other words, it doesn't make her look bad), then it goes on the back burner or in the circular file.
I really think that there should be term limits on the union presidency and also that anyone who is a union president should then have to return to the classroom for the same amount of years that they were president....
I bet if Randi had to return to the classroom that she wouldn't be so eager to please the mayor and forget her constituency.
It's a longstanding tradition for politicians to say one thing and do another. I wish our union leader were not a politician, but a union leader.
Shanker set up a monarchy in the UFT with appointed successors. Thus, 3 UFT leaders in over 40 years. Even in Unity Caucus there is no real choice as the leader is imposed on them by fiat. Long-time people there were not so happy when Weingarten was thrust upon them as they wanted someone like Alan Lubin who had paid union dues. Her successor will similarly be thrust upon first Unity and then the membership.
Debbie Lynch, who won the presidency in Chicago then lost it 3 years later, went back to the classroom. Never happen here.
When Michelle Bodden came to my school, at least she met with the principal to address our complaints.
When Mike came, all he kept saying was,"the principal has the right to..."
Why such a difference??
I've never heard a bad thing said about Bodden (she seems very decent and likeable) and there are supposedly many people at UFT HQ sick of Weingarten who are hoping she is the next UFT leader. If that happens she will be surrounded by strongmen suits/hacks to keep order amongst the troops - Mulgrew and Zahler. That was what Sandy did with Pappas (who some thought would be Sandy's replacement) and no matter what you think of him, these 2 are no Pappas.
While Bodden would bring some change in style, policy would not change as it hasn't in 45 years. However, if Randi lets the leash out of her hands she faces the risk that Bodden gets s sense of power and begins to move her people in to replace Randi's people, as Randi did with some of Feldman's (and there was friction between them since Sandy thought Randi would be her surrogate). Thats is why I do not think Randi will risk giving up the reigns of power and she will run the UFT with her surrogates for a while.
If Bodden were to be heir apparent she would be more up front, especially in running a Del. Ass, one of the tests and look for that event as a sign.
I only knew Tom on a one to one when I was at weekends in Princeton.
If ever I asked a question about a school situation, if would find some way to grieve it. But I can see him in the role of Tony Saprano. I would think a guy like Tom would have stood up to Klein and the mayor, but obviously I am wrong.
I also knew Mike and found him to be a bit stuck up.
Is Randi turning her back on Bodden?
Is Randi turning her back on Bodden?
There are rumors of that. If you attend lots of UFT events you get a feel for what the relationships are based on what level of responsibilities. Bodden is not out front enough. But this has waxed and waned.
Right now Mulgrew is the rising star. Nice that there were lots of boos when he spoke at the DA. There are no clear lines of succession which is why I believe there will be no succession immediately. The key will be as the 2010 elections roll around and if there's signs of an opposition exhibiting some life. Would Randi run for UFT pres in 2010 while AFT pres? Shanker did it for over 10 years.
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