UFT Response

Who
On Thursday, the 10th of January 2013, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) District 75 met with union members. In an effort to regain member confidence, they showed up with what looked like it could have been their entire office. During the meeting they promised to protect these teachers with the full power of the organization.

The head of District 75, Evelyn DeJesus, opened the meeting and remained active throughout, as did…

Special Representative Jeff Huart. DeJesus introduced the schools district rep, Analia Gerard, who days prior to this meeting promised HoranWatch this school would be the district’s top priority, “The most watched school in the city”. We then insisted not only she be present, but that other leadership also be present in order to win back these members. Others who were introduced included Special Reps Wilma Velazquez, Michael Santos, Reggie Colvin [?], Victim Support Services’ Shelia Laval-Friedman, Director of UFT Safety and Health Dept Chris Proctor and associates from health and safety.

Staff Response
We at HoranWatch are pleased with the results of the meeting, but we would be dishonest if we didn’t voice the overwhelming responses from staff who felt otherwise. Many, if not most, feel they were robbed of a chance to finally have a protected open forum to simply recount the staged school shooting and myriad of other abuses by Principal Greer Phillips and her administration, including but not limited to serious allegations of collective punishment, cronyism, quid pro quo, and other labor and child abuses.

Missing Voices
With that, we both thank the UFT for using this time to show staff how they are protected and how powerful they can be, while also communicating that the first step in dealing with this should have been an open forum where staff could, for once, hear each other and feel they are also being heard. HoranWatch urges the UFT to follow up with a protected open forum where this can occur. Although the District may feel they know what happened on the 18th and the days following, they don’t. Even we don’t. And none of the staff know the full story until there is an open forum. No one can uncover the full extent of this action, the actions covering it up, and the character of this administration until all voices are heard.

Missing Parents
While acknowledging that the UFT’s role is first and foremost the protection of teachers, the first as foremost concern of the teachers are their students. HoranWatch is disappointed that a week since this meeting, that Principal Phillips and her administration has not been pressured to adhere to mandates and provide 1) immediate post-trauma care for the kids and 2) immediate notification to parents about what occurred to their children on the 18th. And while UFT is not responsible for her actions, we do believe that the UFT can certainly use it’s communications office to make this issue known to the press, including the Spanish language press, which would lead to immediate resolution.

District Next Steps
On one hand DeJesus acknowledged that the district, under previous leadership, had failed this chapter. It was promised with her leadership, the UFT would be “present on all matters”, with DeJesus offering to accept full personal accountability for that.

“Moving forward, we want to be present at this school.” – DeJesus

Chapter Next Steps
On the other hand, DeJesus also placed responsibility with staff. DeJesus rightly pointed out that there was a disconnect between high number of serious issues and the low number of complaints filed, reminding members that the union strength starts with them. {We agree, but we must remind DeJesus that this too is part of an effective campaign by administration to suppress union activity in the school. While staff must report every issue, they must first be made aware of protocol and the basics of organizing then they must see the union work for them so that they feel safe in doing so. For example, when chapter leader Moreno receives a call about a union matter, she should not be referring them to administration. A chapter that is nurtured, empowered, and educated by the district would have known what a consultation committee or a school leadership committee was}

Quotes

“People are saying, if you do something, they’ll retaliate. People will do to you what you allow them to do.” – DeJesus

“…we clearly let them know we were horrified at what happened. They admitted that they were wrong…” – Huart

“We are going to be here for the rest of the year, monitoring, to make sure everything is in place.” – Huart

 ”I know there’s been a lot of history, prior, I was not part of that, I cannot speak to that. Moving forward I can speak to what I’m accountable for.” – DeJesus

“We’re here to support you, defend you, and protect you at all times.”

 ”that horrific day, the 18th”

“this is a big chapter, you could be a model in the city…” – DeJesus

“I want to work with you. I want to empower you. I want to train you. And I want to protect you. But you got to dance with me. If you don’t know how to dance, I’ll teach you.” – DeJesus

“If this [becomes] a strong chapter, we can do miracles here. For the teachers, for the students, for the entire staff.” – DeJesus

We’re inspired by the meeting and we have high hopes for the new and improved union presence at Horan School. We hope staff use this opportunity to become fearless advocates for themselves and for their kids under the protection of their contract. We hope the UFT offers intensive trainings for organizing and labor rights. We hope new elections within the chapter open up full participation. First and foremost, we hope the staff reach the UFT to make sure they can find a swift and legal way to inform the parents of these kids. Just like any of you would expect to be notified of yours.