The Education Wonks
Now *that* is a Wonkitorial I can sink my teeth into!
I despise the union with a passion unsurpassed by anything any of you could ever imagine. They are probably afraid that someone like me would post the truth about them.
I think the union can take whatever you can dish out, ma'am.
--TheRain--
I have to disagree. I've posted fon Edwize since its inception. I disagree intensely on the UFT's policy of taking whatever comes down the pike for teachers, sleeping on the job, and protecting nothing and no one unaffiliated with their patronage mill.
They regularly delete my comments. Furthermore, they refuse to even cover subjects of interest to city teachers. The UFT, a few months ago, altered the contract to benefit only teachers who've yet to be hired. They did so with no consultation whatsoever with rank and file.
Edwize did not have word one to say about it. And if you were to bring it up, they'd chide you for being off-topic, insult you, and then delete any further comments you might have.
I'm extremely pro-union, and I know we'd be far worse off without one. But a union needs to work for its members. And Unity, the monopoly party that's dominated the UFT for half a century is tired, complacent, and self-serving.
That's what Edwize is. And the only reason EdWonk is able to cheer for it is he has no idea of its function.
As I've said before, I'd like to see it happen, but I'm not holding my breath.
Teachers need an organization for collective bargaining. If you doubt it, check out the conditions for teachers back in the days when they had to lodge with parents and were required to spend Sunday reading the Bible (not that that's not fine to do voluntarily).
But both main groups have their problems, and both of them end up discounting the wishes of their members.
You've got to wonder, though: what's in it for the NEA to create a comments-enabled blog?
Ms. Cornelius, a shard of credibility?
Ms. Cornelius speaks the absolute, unvarnished truth, now as always, with a shrewdness far exceeding that of the apes who run my country, and my union.
I'm the only administrator for Ediwze, besides a colleague at the UFT who is also web staff who monitors the blog when I'm away on vacation (her name is Robin Barret), I'm the only person who has administrative rights on Edwize. I do not regularly delete comments (comments are rarely deleted and I try to get in touch with the commenter and explain why the comment was removed), I have set of rules that I believe are fair, and are the norm for institutional blogs and I will not allow people to insult other commeters. Writing on the web is a tricky medium because everyone reads what you write and tone, and sarcasm are never appearent to other readers.
You have deleted my comments on several occasions, and I was not notified after the first few times.
Your subordinate posted a paragraph of idiotic, poorly thought-out threats directed at me for daring to criticize the party line, as though I were her student, or subordinate. Actually, she, like all Edwize writers, is supposed to work for us.
You run pages of propaganda for the Unity patronage mill and never, ever offer opponents space on the front page, though we pay the same dues as everyone else.
We represent at least 40% of voting UFT teachers. For that, and paying 40% of the dues, we get zero percent representation on the front page of our blog.
Edwize did, in fact, fail to run one single word about the change in contract that Unity did not bother running by rank-and-file. Edwize selects the topics, and then has the audacity to criticize people like me for being off-topic.
You wrote a comment saying you were eager to solicit writing from UFT members. When I publicly took you up on that offer, you responded by deleting my comment. I renew my offer right here. I'd be happy to write for Edwize at any time.
I regret my tone and sarcasm upsets you. However, regular Edwize writers freely compare those who oppose them to unruly juveniles, unfavorably compare them to their own school-age children, and no one censors their voices, ever. They are snide, snarky and outright rude to UFT members who dare disagree with them.
They are never censored.
Weeks ago, my comment did not appear on Edwize until after I contacted the UFT to complain. You do not have to like my point of view.
You're certainly free to share the UFT view that we should pay dues, give away rights by the truckload, and, for that, accept raises that fails to match cost of living.
Why you would do that, I have no idea.
However, I'm UFT. As much as anyone. Unlike most of your writers, I'm also a real teacher.
Edwize has incredible gall running articles about UFT democracy when high school teachers are not even permitted to choose their own representatives, and when those who oppose the contract are denied access to UFT mailboxes.
Your writers and commenters, remarkably, pontificate about "politicking" when they themselves pushed the contract relentlessly, comparing those who opposed it to "big bad wolves."
You personally allowed a Unity writer to change his name and pose as "a voice from the trenches," in an article riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehoods.
Edwize is the voice of Unity. 40% of teachers who opposed the worst contract I've ever seen are not represented on the blog. Ever.
Still, we enjoy the privilege of paying the salaries of those who write it.
107,000 each for at least two of them. That's more than any city teacher makes. Mike Mendel, who just sent me an incredibly unconvincing email, makes almost 200K.
I wouldn't mind so much if they weren't so incredibly complacent and ineffectual.
Why do they send you out here to do their dirty work? I'd be happy to speak with any of them.
The tone, and sarcasm wasn't directed at you, it's a byproduct of any conversation that happens on the web, or via email. It's a weirdly important skill to pick up, but my comment wasn't directed at you. I've never received a complaint about comments not posting from the UFT. EdWize receives about 30-40 pieces of spam comments and trackbacks a day (538 in the last 15 days). The system that catches spam, catches comments (a lot) from everyone.
No one has sent me out to do anything, I'm in California (Inland Empire to be accurate) to pay my respects to someone in my family who has recently passed and as I was reading EdWonk, and some other blog I came across your comment. I just felt I should clarify a few things since people might mistake and think someone else is running the blog. At the end of the day, for better or for worse, EdWize is under my reign, I designed and implemented the blog and outside of a few people found writers. It is very much a case, where if the UFT has an official viewpoint, you won't see front page posts disagreing with that view point.
During the contract discussions I most certainly made a mistake when I had Ron post under a different name, which I clarified a day later. Again, I had been watching the discussion disentagrate so I thought the article would generate something of a real discussion. It was certainly a mistake for me to do it.
I certainly have not moderated more than a handful of comments, and it's because they broke rules on the blog. Comments are not moderated because someone agrees with the leadership of the union and does not.
I'm quite aware, thanks to the blog, that there are caucuses inside the UFT who contest elections, I have zero interest in facilitating vote for this person, don't vote for this person discussions because they generate into flame wars and because by law union dues cannot be used for election purposes, and while I've built EdWize for a tiny amount of money it's still paid for union dues. I have several legal responsibilities because the blog is a union blog. Since it's not a member communications vehicle, I have FEC and other laws (some draconian) other not that I have to abide by.
No one is paid to write for EdWize, period. I'm the only member of the union who's responsibility is to run the blog, and running EdWize is a part of dozens of other projects I have as part of my workload. I'm sorry that you felt Robin treated you badly, as I know Robin I know that's not her intention. It is a case where I think the tone of what was written was misunderstood.
I'm sure there are better ways, and better people to run EdWize, and union blogs. But since we were pretty much "the first (?)" local to do this, and no one else is rushing out run a blog I built the blog based on what i knew about the medium.
No one is paid to write for EdWize, period.
Perhaps you've concluded that I just fell of the turnip truck from New Jersey. I suppose you wish me to believe that 6-figure Unity hacks do so out of the goodness of your hearts.
In fact, the "correction" you appended to the grab-bag of lies published in Edwize did not appear the following day. I'd have noticed. Weeks later, redhog coyly revealed his other name in a conversation with Schoolgal.
by law union dues cannot be used for election purposes,
Then you've repeatedly violated the law by pushing the contract. Will you turn yourself in, or should I make a citizen's arrest? Really, give me a break. You published article after article pushing the contract, and never once gave voice to the opposition.
It is very much a case, where if the UFT has an official viewpoint, you won't see front page posts disagreing with that view point.
I believe that was my point. Edwize is simply another propaganda arm for Unity.
This thread warms my heart. Seriously.
Git 'em, NYC Educator!
NYC Educator, if you honestly think that 40% opposition to the UFT leadership on a single issue will easily translate into 40% or more against Randi in the elections next year, maybe you did fall off that turnip truck. Not everyone who voted against the contract felt as strongly as you; many saw it as more of a reflection on the DOE than on Unity. And not all of the people who felt sold out by Unity held onto that level of outrage for a long time after the vote. Your support is not nearly as deep as you think.
Maybe you would be better served by presenting a specific alternative platform and explaining why you (or your chosen candidates) could do a better job running the UFT than Randi does. Sarcasm won't win you any elections.
Look I've been very respectful in this conversation. No one is paid, period, to write on EdWize. I would be the closest thing to someone who has EdWize as a responsibility. The power and influence of EdWize is greatly exaggerated in this conversation. The correction was made the next day.
The law applies to elections within the union for offices, and not to contract votes, or other votes where the union takes an official poisition.
Union's have official viewpoints, no union or orginization would run a blog any other way.
Let me make it clear who's speaking:
"Look I've been very respectful in this conversation."
I suppose, since you now find yourself lacking the convenient option of deleting my comments, you have little alternative.
"No one is paid, period, to write on EdWize."
You're telling me, then, that no one in the employ of the United Federation of Teachers spends his or her work hours composing the articles on Edwize? Do they wait until after hours?
Because if they do not, our dues are indeed paying for the time they use to write those articles.
"The law applies to elections within the union for offices, and not to contract votes, or other votes where the union takes an official poisition."
So what you're saying is you had no legal responsibility to present opposing views. Clearly Unity is unhampered by any ethical imperative about telling the truth to its members, or pretending Unity hacks are "voices from the trenches," as you admit to have done.
Why did you do that, if not to blatantly deceive us? And since you've blatantly deceived us, why on earth should we trust you?
"Union's have official viewpoints, no union or orginization would run a blog any other way."
Still, you pretend otherwise when it's convenient. After being regularly vilifed and censored for being "off-topic" or "politicking" (an odd prohibition for a political organization) I noticed a poster suggest starting a new thread if one wished to bring up something else.
Weary of being censored by my own union, I asked how that was done, and you posted something to the effect of how you were always seeking teacher viewpoints.
I found that remarkable, and decided to take you up on it.
You responded by deleting my post.
And here's the thing--I'm UFT. I strongly support unionism. I don't sympathize with those who attack unionism.
But I understand precisely why someone like Mamacita, who writes circles around any Edwize writer, would feel the way she does. And unscrupulous, job-milling, self-serving, lazy, complacent union patronage mills that don't give a damn about their members are indeed part, if not all, of the problem.
Unless you are uninformed or seeking a Unity job, there's no rationale whatsoever to support this party. It's absurd and insulting that Micahel Mendel sent an email proclaiming the clearly inferior "free market" plan to be a UFT victory.
It's even more sad to imagine that NYC kids may have teachers who believe such nonsense.
You guys can tolerate teacher-bashing, but when it comes to real teacher viewpoints, the only argument your collective propagandists can muster is "shut up," and you'll force the point by deleting comments if necessary.
That's unimaginative, inadequate, and unacceptable.
I once was a poster on Edwize, and I can tell you that the first attack came from them when CitySue or Maisee warned the readers that those of us against the contract were the same lazy teachers who sat around the lunchroom and did nothing but complain.
Edwize does practice a type of censorship. One form of censorship is the topics that are posted on their site. Many issues that teachers want to discuss are never published, such as:
Why the negotiating committee approved no more extra time for money, but voted down a resolution on no more givebacks? What is the real message here?
Why would our union offer a bonus to new teachers and not those already in service? Why are they not looking into the real issues--retention issues--instead of throwing money at the problem?
Why do we have 189 day working calendar next year, and what is the union doing about getting us the Veteran's Day holiday?
Why can't we go off topic so that our questions can be addressed in a new posting?
Edwize no longer is a vehicle for NYC teachers to have a forum on topics unless those topics are sanctioned by Unity.
On a point made by NYC Educator: I do agree that 40% of the no vote is also a mandate against Randi's leadership seeing how the TWU stood up for their rights. However, the Unity machine is well-oiled and has lots of money to ensure a victory.
I find it very amusing that somebody thinks Edwiz is democratic and accepts teacher-based articles. Sorry, nothing is further from the truth.
I will not go into the politics of the Unity faction of the UFT but Edwiz is nothing more than a mouthpiece for many of the union educrats who write about Darfur, Iraq, and other world issues while ignoring the very real classroom problems of the NYC teacher.
I admit Kombiz (Edwiz) has never deleted any of my comments. However, Edwiz screens bloggers and only includes bloggers who follow the Unity line. On the left-hand side of New York City bloggers in Edwiz, only nyc educator is against Unity(UFT) policy aims and the only reason he is included is that his original blogs were as a Unity supporter. Other bloggers who critizise Unity are absent from the list even ones that comment on Edwiz. On the other hand pro Unity bloggers (some haven't blogged in months are listed on the Edwiz site.
Censorship by Edwiz is very apparent as only Unity Educrats and pro-Unity teachers are given the right to publish on Edwiz. Pro classroom teachers and other UFT factions have no chance to submit articles and are relegated to the comment section where they are insulted or ignored.
nyc educator and schoolgal are correct, an educatiuon website should reflect the teachers that pay their salary not the educrat's own petty aims.
NYCEd and Schoolgal are hitting the nail right on the head.
It was a shocking experience last October when our own Union went all out to secure a “Yes” vote for the contract and was shoving it down our throats. It was simply, an evil contract.
My school, within the last couple of months, has become anti Randi (just try and send those UNITY hacks to our school now) and through the help of real pro union bloggers like Schoolgal and NYCed, I have been able to give my colleagues the truth about what really goes on in our Union. Schoolgal and NYCEd are to be trusted more than the shilling that goes on our Union run Edwize.
Kombiz is running the propaganda blog Edwize for UNITY. He's got alligator arms when it comes to UNITY attacking union members opinions.
Thank you anonymous. I had no idea that my comments had any impact. I just remember what it was like to work under strong union representation that would never put politics above the needs of the teachers. My old DR was always there for every teacher. He called teachers as late as 11 pm because he was so busy during the day. His replacement doesn't even return calls.
I had also given up on any possibility of schools, especially elementary schools, of ever being unionized again or caring about the future state of the union.
NYC Ed (like many of us) is a very hard-working dedicated teacher who deserves to have his opinions heard on a site that his dues help operate.
It sounds like your smearing the guy.
What are you talking about?
Schoolgal posted sincere and articulate concerns at edwize regarding the classroom teacher under the new contract. Most of her questions went unanswered and the few that were answered, as we now know it, are misleading.
The UNITY run Edwize has zero empathy for the classroom teachers concerns.
I'm not the same "fred" as above, first of all.
But Edwize is of no use to working teachers. I read NYC educator regularly, and he's a real teacher, unlike the paid unity hacks on edwize.
The NEa will have to do something better if it wishes to help membership.
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