Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Where Would We Be Without the Teachers Union?":
I'm a union memeber and I've gone up to 3 years without a contract. But I have been told by my union to continue to act professionally and do my job as I have always been doing it and let them get the contract. Maybe you can answer who suffers with the following being done?
- Wearing black as in being in mourning
- Wearing butttons with Plainview and a froun
- Not hanging up childrens work in rooms, hallways, display cases
- Not participating in school activities, like the Harlem Wizards Basketball.
- Not preparing college recommendations
- Not inviting class parents into the classrooms after certain events.
- "Informational picketing" !?
I don't think this is "professional". There must be a bunch of former PATCO memebers in this union.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The PCT is Acting Unprofessionally
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Where Would We Be Without the Teachers Union?":
The reason why the PCT would be acting unprofessional is simple. If employees at a business were to go on strike, would they go to the owners house and picket in front of his children coming home from school ? no they would not because children should not be involved. Teachers walking around with buttons on their clothing with "no contract". What purpose does that serve when children are the only other people in the school besides the union members? You do not get the children involved. The second reason is that when unions are negotiating for higher wages , a good union normally bases their demands on the needs of the members , the ability of the employer to pay, and the effect the demands will have on the public at large. That given, the union does not appear to care for the ability of the school to be able to pay and for the ability for the residents who may be unemployed, lacking the money to pay their taxes etc The unions only concern seems to be "we deserve more money" regardless of the economic downturn that has been disastrous for some.
The reason why the PCT would be acting unprofessional is simple. If employees at a business were to go on strike, would they go to the owners house and picket in front of his children coming home from school ? no they would not because children should not be involved. Teachers walking around with buttons on their clothing with "no contract". What purpose does that serve when children are the only other people in the school besides the union members? You do not get the children involved. The second reason is that when unions are negotiating for higher wages , a good union normally bases their demands on the needs of the members , the ability of the employer to pay, and the effect the demands will have on the public at large. That given, the union does not appear to care for the ability of the school to be able to pay and for the ability for the residents who may be unemployed, lacking the money to pay their taxes etc The unions only concern seems to be "we deserve more money" regardless of the economic downturn that has been disastrous for some.
Is There a Math Wizzard Out There?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Expectations Must Be Realistic":
No
What is meant is this. Due to the economic downturn where millions of people have lost there jobs and the fact that the boards attorney stated in a meeting that the school district is estimated to have a 5 million dollar deficit in 2 years if we do not give the teachers a raise and a 7 million dollar deficit if we gave them a raise in 2 years due to the anticipated pension increase that we will be forced to pay. That is a fact. Where are we going to get this money from? the taxpayers who are already overtaxed ?
The board should of been looking for givebacks and at best should only be offering a contract with no raises at all. Maybe we have a math wizard on this blog who can educate us on how we are supposed to come up with the anticipated 5-7 million dollars that we have to pay to the state pension plan? We can not give what we do not have.You are right this could of been handled better by both sides. The PCT thought they would get some where by going public with their contract dispute. The effort appears to have failed as they have only angered parents who may have their own financial problems.
No
What is meant is this. Due to the economic downturn where millions of people have lost there jobs and the fact that the boards attorney stated in a meeting that the school district is estimated to have a 5 million dollar deficit in 2 years if we do not give the teachers a raise and a 7 million dollar deficit if we gave them a raise in 2 years due to the anticipated pension increase that we will be forced to pay. That is a fact. Where are we going to get this money from? the taxpayers who are already overtaxed ?
The board should of been looking for givebacks and at best should only be offering a contract with no raises at all. Maybe we have a math wizard on this blog who can educate us on how we are supposed to come up with the anticipated 5-7 million dollars that we have to pay to the state pension plan? We can not give what we do not have.You are right this could of been handled better by both sides. The PCT thought they would get some where by going public with their contract dispute. The effort appears to have failed as they have only angered parents who may have their own financial problems.
Where Would We Be Without the Teachers Union?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Expectations Must Be Realistic":
Why do you consider the PCT's stance to be unprofessional? I believe that the teachers have maintained a very professional attitude. I was witness to a teacher being cursed at while shopping at shoprite with his children, this teacher politly reminded the person that he was with his children, I was so moved that I went up to that teacher and appologized for the behavior of the other person. I am also a union member. the job of the unions is to advocate for their constituants, this is usually done through picketing. in closing, think about this. what would be the status of labor in this country if not for the protectoin and colective bargaining of unions? Do a little research into the labor movement and working conditions in this country prior to the existence of unions and you will see how they have benifited this nation. Before you go bashing the PCT think about what the status of education in our country would be like without teachers unions. The educated amoung us would rea;ize the importance.
Why do you consider the PCT's stance to be unprofessional? I believe that the teachers have maintained a very professional attitude. I was witness to a teacher being cursed at while shopping at shoprite with his children, this teacher politly reminded the person that he was with his children, I was so moved that I went up to that teacher and appologized for the behavior of the other person. I am also a union member. the job of the unions is to advocate for their constituants, this is usually done through picketing. in closing, think about this. what would be the status of labor in this country if not for the protectoin and colective bargaining of unions? Do a little research into the labor movement and working conditions in this country prior to the existence of unions and you will see how they have benifited this nation. Before you go bashing the PCT think about what the status of education in our country would be like without teachers unions. The educated amoung us would rea;ize the importance.
No Retoractive Contracts
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Get Ready to Do This Again":
Make the teacher's new contract start from when they sign.
This would solve the threat of having to do it again so soon. The board should also demand that when the teachers do approve the new contract that's the time the raise should kick in, nothing retroactively. The teachers are getting paid are they not, they are just getting paid at the rate of their old contract.
Make the teacher's new contract start from when they sign.
This would solve the threat of having to do it again so soon. The board should also demand that when the teachers do approve the new contract that's the time the raise should kick in, nothing retroactively. The teachers are getting paid are they not, they are just getting paid at the rate of their old contract.
You Can Always Run for the Board....
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "More Money, Regardless":
I too attend most BOE meetings. I disagree with your views of the BOE. If you think they "were looking at their watch to see what time they were leaving" I guess you do not know how much time these volunteers really give. While I am not a BOE member, I know for a fact they do not always leave when the public meeting ends, often having another meeting afterwards.
Of course if you think the BOE is doing such a poor job, you can always run for the BOE.
I too attend most BOE meetings. I disagree with your views of the BOE. If you think they "were looking at their watch to see what time they were leaving" I guess you do not know how much time these volunteers really give. While I am not a BOE member, I know for a fact they do not always leave when the public meeting ends, often having another meeting afterwards.
Of course if you think the BOE is doing such a poor job, you can always run for the BOE.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Expectations Must Be Realistic
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Dear Board Members, What Happened?":
So you are saying that despite the fact that the BOE has "dont great things for our school" you do not want to vote for these board members because they were not rude to the teachers?
Come on. You are incredible.
The BOE made an offer to the teachers and have not made a counteroffer. The teachers took an aggressive stance. At no point did the BOE waiver and give into to threats, nor public displays.
Your expectations are not realistic. The BOE has to maintain these relationships, and has to balance that with fiscal responsibility.
I think the negotiations could have been handled differently by the BOE, but fault the PCT for taking this aggressive (unprofessional)stance.
So you are saying that despite the fact that the BOE has "dont great things for our school" you do not want to vote for these board members because they were not rude to the teachers?
Come on. You are incredible.
The BOE made an offer to the teachers and have not made a counteroffer. The teachers took an aggressive stance. At no point did the BOE waiver and give into to threats, nor public displays.
Your expectations are not realistic. The BOE has to maintain these relationships, and has to balance that with fiscal responsibility.
I think the negotiations could have been handled differently by the BOE, but fault the PCT for taking this aggressive (unprofessional)stance.
The Board Does Not Back Down
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Dear Board Members, What Happened?":
Anonymous, You have every right to vote for who you want to. You close out your comment by saying the Board does not have the courage to say no to the teachers, we are where we are at because they're not letting the teachers bully them by responding with a NO. You name the board and then go on to say what they stand for, the only way to really know who and what on that board stands for is to call for a public vote by the board to see who represents the community! POLL THE BOARD ON WHO WANTS TO GIVE THE TEACHERS A RAISE!
Anonymous, You have every right to vote for who you want to. You close out your comment by saying the Board does not have the courage to say no to the teachers, we are where we are at because they're not letting the teachers bully them by responding with a NO. You name the board and then go on to say what they stand for, the only way to really know who and what on that board stands for is to call for a public vote by the board to see who represents the community! POLL THE BOARD ON WHO WANTS TO GIVE THE TEACHERS A RAISE!
The Tax Burden is Onerous
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Time to Move....":
It's erroneous to hold teachers responsible for this tax increase. Patterson's decision just highlights the necessity of meaningful discussion about the tax structure. The burden on taxpayers is onerous, and that's a fact, regardless of your position on the contract.
It's erroneous to hold teachers responsible for this tax increase. Patterson's decision just highlights the necessity of meaningful discussion about the tax structure. The burden on taxpayers is onerous, and that's a fact, regardless of your position on the contract.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Time to Move....
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Merry Christmas From Patterson: School Aid Funds C...":
Well it looks like we are going to be paying even higher taxes. Let's see how the PCT will spin this one to further support his assertion that increased salaries won't have an impact on the finances of this district. Looks like in the near future I will be paying over $20,000 per year in taxes for my small split. Maybe it's time to move out of state.
Well it looks like we are going to be paying even higher taxes. Let's see how the PCT will spin this one to further support his assertion that increased salaries won't have an impact on the finances of this district. Looks like in the near future I will be paying over $20,000 per year in taxes for my small split. Maybe it's time to move out of state.
This Stuff Shouldn't Be Such a Secret:
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Out With the Old, In with the New":
He's right. Double dipping is a term used moreso when the public-employee dual payment structure is out in the open and "directly" drawn from the same or similar source(s).
The mechanism utilized here via payment directly (via pension) and indirectly (via 65,163 salary taken from teacher dues) provides much less transparency. However in reality, Morty's PCT salary is funded indirectly by your real estate taxes anyway. Those taxes pay teacher salaries and the dues for the PCT (his employer) are funded by those deductions.
This stuff shouldn't be such a secret. Since today, other non-profits post their financial statements online (they, like the PCT are required to make their form 990 financial information available for public inspection).
Morty's answer (earlier in this blog) was that a significant component of dues fund the state teacher union. Actually only $38,000 of the 414,000.00 in the organization's annual revenue was to the state organization. The rest pays Morty's salary of 65,163.00 and lots of other interesting expenses (i.e. $7,436.00 for "Parties", $2,955.00 for "officer expenses"). The assets are interesting too (i.e. $558,879.00 in cash/investments with over $25,000 in interest income). Seems like a lot of money to me, especially considering the amount in professional expenses incurred(only $12,093 legal expenses and 5,000 in accounting).
C'mon Mr. Rosenfeld...you can't ask the board for transparency without exercising it yourself. When will you make YOUR organization's financial statements available for public inspection online?
He's right. Double dipping is a term used moreso when the public-employee dual payment structure is out in the open and "directly" drawn from the same or similar source(s).
The mechanism utilized here via payment directly (via pension) and indirectly (via 65,163 salary taken from teacher dues) provides much less transparency. However in reality, Morty's PCT salary is funded indirectly by your real estate taxes anyway. Those taxes pay teacher salaries and the dues for the PCT (his employer) are funded by those deductions.
This stuff shouldn't be such a secret. Since today, other non-profits post their financial statements online (they, like the PCT are required to make their form 990 financial information available for public inspection).
Morty's answer (earlier in this blog) was that a significant component of dues fund the state teacher union. Actually only $38,000 of the 414,000.00 in the organization's annual revenue was to the state organization. The rest pays Morty's salary of 65,163.00 and lots of other interesting expenses (i.e. $7,436.00 for "Parties", $2,955.00 for "officer expenses"). The assets are interesting too (i.e. $558,879.00 in cash/investments with over $25,000 in interest income). Seems like a lot of money to me, especially considering the amount in professional expenses incurred(only $12,093 legal expenses and 5,000 in accounting).
C'mon Mr. Rosenfeld...you can't ask the board for transparency without exercising it yourself. When will you make YOUR organization's financial statements available for public inspection online?
Isn't the Board Saying No?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Dear Board Members, What Happened?":
I am confused by this post. You are unhappy that the board has not outwardly said "No" to the teachers? While I suppose that is true, the BOE has not made a counter proposal. Isn't that exactly what the board is doing?
Don't you have to remember that there has to be some respect amongst the parties and to do as you say would do more damage.
And no I am not aligned with the teachers, actually agree with the BOE...
I am confused by this post. You are unhappy that the board has not outwardly said "No" to the teachers? While I suppose that is true, the BOE has not made a counter proposal. Isn't that exactly what the board is doing?
Don't you have to remember that there has to be some respect amongst the parties and to do as you say would do more damage.
And no I am not aligned with the teachers, actually agree with the BOE...
Merry Christmas From Patterson: School Aid Funds Cut this Week
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/guv-holding-back-school-aid-could-mean-tax-hikes-1.1652125?cmpid=nl_newsday_now
Gov. David A. Paterson's announcement that the state will withhold school aid funds due beginning this week could result in some Long Island school districts raising taxes to cover their losses, officials said Sunday.
A delay in expected state revenue means some districts will have to borrow money to meet current operating expenses, the officials said. And borrowing money - typically by issuing bonds - will saddle districts with unplanned interest payments.
That, in turn, means either eventual cuts in service or property tax increases in next year's school budgets.
"We don't have enough in reserves to cover the end of the year," said Herman Sirois, the Levittown superintendent. "It absolutely is passing the problem onto our local taxpayers. It's just another hidden tax."
The withholdings will amount to 10 percent of direct aid to school districts and 19 percent of STAR payments districts are to receive from the state beginning Dec. 28.
Gov. David A. Paterson's announcement that the state will withhold school aid funds due beginning this week could result in some Long Island school districts raising taxes to cover their losses, officials said Sunday.
A delay in expected state revenue means some districts will have to borrow money to meet current operating expenses, the officials said. And borrowing money - typically by issuing bonds - will saddle districts with unplanned interest payments.
That, in turn, means either eventual cuts in service or property tax increases in next year's school budgets.
"We don't have enough in reserves to cover the end of the year," said Herman Sirois, the Levittown superintendent. "It absolutely is passing the problem onto our local taxpayers. It's just another hidden tax."
The withholdings will amount to 10 percent of direct aid to school districts and 19 percent of STAR payments districts are to receive from the state beginning Dec. 28.
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