I sent out a scree to my e-list: have you voted? I received: who should I vote for? (easily resolved) and I have no stamps (not needed) and many smiley faces, every vote counts, we should have the results in a few days.
These are anxiety producing times. I wake up and hesitate to check the news, I read Paul Krugman and Heather Cox Richardson, who pen substacks almost every day, and feel a little better. Watch a fascinating conversation between Paul and a market guru here .
And, I get many questions from anxious members, I can listen, and listening is becoming a lost skill.
A common question: Is my pension safe?
Should I move my TDA to … (whatever).
As a UFT Rep I visited schools every day and listened to members, usually a straightforward factual question, sometimes personal and a few times critical. UFT Reps have to build trust, listen intently, ask questions, and do everything possible to answer the question and to be honest, never promise what you can’t deliver.
The UFT is a membership-driven organization, before contract negotiation a questionnaire to all members, the questionnaire drives contract demands. The negotiating committee in the last round included 500 members from every division who met with the members of the Department team.
The negotiations fall under PERB, Public Employees Board regulations, and, two of the principles are “ability to pay” and “pattern bargaining,” if negotiations are not moving forward both parties can choose to enter the PERB process, mediation, fact finding and non-binding arbitration with a public arbitration decision, a lengthy process. Of course, the negotiations can be enhanced by a working relationship among the unions and especially with the Mayor and the Speaker of the City Council. In the upcoming mayoral primary, the UFT endorsement is important, consequential, and can impact the union for years.
An opposition caucus member shouted, “if I was at the table I’d let them have it ..” Not a productive pathway and threatening to strike is suicidal, turns off the public and chases away allies.
Remember, the City has no control over taxing power, and the City budget is public.
In 2005 the UFT and the City broke the pattern, both agreed one lengthened school day a week in exchange for a 20% salary increase, it was controversial at the time. The membership ratified the agreement by 60-40, today no one is complaining about the resultant higher pension. Moving forward we need creative union leadership, and I believe Unity provides that leadership
I’ve supported Unity because they’ve successfully navigated the political landscape and established goals and objectives from the bottom-up.
The Union, and all of us, are facing a crisis far more serious than any contract negotiation – the unrelenting assault on public schools and teacher unions, and, the very core of our democracy.
Let’s get back to the question: Is my pension safe?
I learned early on as a Union Rep never to give romantic or financial advice; however the financial experts, the guardians of our pensions, the teacher members of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) board, guard our pension with a passion. BTW, the TRS members’ meetings are live-streamed and archived, both the business and the investment monthly meetings.
Could the Trump policies drive the nation into a recession, or worse, sadly, yes. And I hope you ask: what can I do? Vote, become a union activist, participate in rallies and demonstrations, and by activist I mean meet with your electeds, meet in-person, send them messages, become any annoying presence in their lives, “All politics is local.”
The other question: Should I move my TDA to …….?
You probably just received the TRS Benefits Report, Spring 2025. The Report is filled with information, including TRS Financial Publication Reports (www.trsnyc.org).
Never make spur of the moment precipitous financial decisions, most can’t be undone, and, a Krugman substack with a major player is fascinating, highly recommend here
My recommendations for dealing with that lingering anxiety: exercise, a healthy diet, enough sleep, try meditation, and a circle of like-minded friends or colleagues who don’t mind your bitching and occasional profanity, and, don’t forget to pamper yourself, splurge, within your means on something.
We’ve all become soldiers in a battle we must win.
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 