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How do you feel about your union?
I was out with a couple of friends and they were talking about their unions... some had good things to say, some had bad things to say, some had no interaction with their union at all. So, it made me think-how do you feel about your union?
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Posted 8/10/10 12:24 PM  |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
I teach in a SD now with 6 schools, so it's pretty small, and our Union is really on top of everything. We have multiple building reps so there's always someone to talk to when there's a problem. And I've only been with them for one contract negotiation, but it was fair.
When I taught in the City and had the UFT and Randi Weingarten telling us to take pay cuts... that was something else.  Plus, I was in a school with 180 teachers and 3000 kids, and we only had ONE union rep. He always made it seem like he was doing me a huge favor if, after 6 days, I could finally track him down to ask him a question.
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| Posted 8/10/10 12:50 PM |
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beautyq115
New Year!
Member since 5/05 13729 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
useless! Waste of my money!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 8/10/10 1:50 PM |
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by beautyq115
useless! Waste of my money!!!!!!!!!!!!
WORD.
I hope Mulgrew is paying attention to Karen Lewis in Chicago- she will show him how a union is SUPPOSED to be run.
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| Posted 8/10/10 2:43 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
I put "other" because we don't have a union. Welcome to NC.
If you aren't expected to come in during the last days of your summer vacation for grade-level planning, have never had open house on a Sunday afternoon, or have never been kept until 6:15 pm for a routine Wednesday staff meeting...then be EXTREMELY thankful for your union. They are protecting you from atrocities like these.
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| Posted 8/11/10 12:32 AM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by MrsRivera
I put "other" because we don't have a union. Welcome to NC.
If you aren't expected to come in during the last days of your summer vacation for grade-level planning, have never had open house on a Sunday afternoon, or have never been kept until 6:15 pm for a routine Wednesday staff meeting...then be EXTREMELY thankful for your union. They are protecting you from atrocities like these.
I am entering year 15 of teaching in my building and I have seen us sign away so many perks with each contract, which angers me BUT the union stops our district from taking advantage and being more abusive than they already are!
I have been a union rep and I think every teacher should do it at least once in their career, because it truly gives you an appreciation and understanding for what goes on!
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| Posted 8/11/10 7:18 AM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
There are things about it I like and things I don't.
But as someone who was in excess I am so happy we have a union to protect us. Bloomberg was pushing to layoff all ATR's...meanwhile I had 6 yrs in, but was least senior in my position so I was excessed. Now I am reinstated in my school (one yr right of return) bc a collegue retired.
If it were not for the UFT I could have been out of a job. So I am thankful and appreciative of our union.
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| Posted 8/11/10 10:57 AM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by MrsRivera
I put "other" because we don't have a union. Welcome to NC.
If you aren't expected to come in during the last days of your summer vacation for grade-level planning, have never had open house on a Sunday afternoon, or have never been kept until 6:15 pm for a routine Wednesday staff meeting...then be EXTREMELY thankful for your union. They are protecting you from atrocities like these.
Beth, I'm right there w/ you...private school; no union.
Sunday open houses; Friday night graduation; weekend carnival requirements & more & we've had a pay freeze the last 2 years. I wish we had a union, although so much depends on who your steward is & how it is run.
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| Posted 8/11/10 10:10 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
I love my union. They are on top of things, they are well informed, and they are in touch with the teachers. Granted, it's a small district, so it's easier to do....but they're just great people. And even with a small school, there are lots of problems. I see what the union reps deal with every day....and I give them a lot of credit for doing what they do!
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| Posted 8/12/10 6:05 PM |
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bookworm
Two Little Rosebuds
Member since 8/09 2106 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
politically sketchy in the upper ranks, but the building reps are great
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| Posted 8/13/10 1:09 PM |
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maddysmommy
LIF Infant
Member since 8/08 304 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by MrsRivera
I put "other" because we don't have a union. Welcome to NC.
If you aren't expected to come in during the last days of your summer vacation for grade-level planning, have never had open house on a Sunday afternoon, or have never been kept until 6:15 pm for a routine Wednesday staff meeting...then be EXTREMELY thankful for your union. They are protecting you from atrocities like these.
I think some people don't realize how lucky they are to have the unions they do. 
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| Posted 8/14/10 9:42 PM |
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maddysmommy
LIF Infant
Member since 8/08 304 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
I have been a union rep and I think every teacher should do it at least once in their career, because it truly gives you an appreciation and understanding for what goes on!
Couldn't agree with you more!
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| Posted 8/14/10 9:44 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by maddysmommy
Posted by MrsRivera
I put "other" because we don't have a union. Welcome to NC.
If you aren't expected to come in during the last days of your summer vacation for grade-level planning, have never had open house on a Sunday afternoon, or have never been kept until 6:15 pm for a routine Wednesday staff meeting...then be EXTREMELY thankful for your union. They are protecting you from atrocities like these.
I think some people don't realize how lucky they are to have the unions they do.
ITA, because I had no idea that there were no unions down here. All I knew was, I couldn't land a position in the public schools in NY, cost of living was way lower here, and I was able to literally walk in the door, flash my license, and have a job that same day.
I just assumed that we were unionized because, growing up on LI, I didn't know anything different.
It's really scary what goes on around here. Not that LI teachers have it easy (I don't think ANY teachers have it easy...), but I'd be willing to get many would refuse to do the things that we have to do. In my school last year, we were REQUIRED by the principal to meet with either the literacy specialist, the administration, or our team members during our planning period each day. Put that together with the fact that we have to eat lunch at the tables WITH our children and take them out to recess ourselves...yup, you guessed it...not even 2 minutes to ourselves to use the restroom.
Oh, and my masters' supplement. A whopping $52 per month!
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| Posted 8/16/10 1:14 AM |
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Re: How do you feel about your union?
Posted by bookworm
politically sketchy in the upper ranks
For some things, the union can be good. If the admin is trying to do something they shouldn't, our union gets right on them. Sometimes I think it's a bit ridiculous though.
Our former union president was like a little kid in a sandbox going against the superintendent. The fact that they both hated eachother made it worse for all of us. The union head only fought for what mattered to him. For example, because he is done having children, he didn't fight for maternity leave issues which affects all of the young teachers.
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| Posted 8/16/10 8:44 AM |
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