Playstation Tech Support

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Saturday, 13 July 2013

Lois Weiner on the Survival of Unions and Why Chicago TU is Different

Posted on 06:02 by Unknown
What we see in Chicago has been more  like the kind of organizing done by the CIO, fusing a progressive social program to union demands. CORE, the insurgent caucus that leads the CTU and was re-elected last month in a landslide (with over 60% of the members voting) has shifted the political terrain of education politics by embedding union demands in a vision for public education. ... Lois Weiner

Herman Benson, founder and driving force behind the Association of Union Democracy, is an interesting guy. He must be around a hundred years old by now.  See here, here, here.

I was in touch with the AUD early on in the life of Ed Notes. I was told by some old hands that Benson as a fan of Al Shanker and the UFT as one of the most democratic of unions (sadly, that is actually true) often left them off the hook. I imagine Benson, as others do, would think I am too harsh on the UFT given the context. But I don't know any other context personally. I guess there is another side but I have no patience for it.

Here is a great debate starting with Lois Weiner's comments referring to the debate on union democracy between Benson and Dan La Botz. Debating the Chicago model vs UFT model will be fodder for years of debate. I find it interesting that Mulgrew seems to have been selling both to Chicago and to the anti-Randy Unity Caucus people (a growing band) that he is differentiating himself from Randi. Maybe in some words and tone, but I offer my standard: watch what they do, not what they say.

A reply to Herman Benson: The Chicago Teachers Union is a different kind of labor union

http://newpol.org/content/reply-herman-benson-chicago-teachers-union-different-kind-labor-union


Lois WeinerJuly 12, 2013
The exchange between Herman Benson and Dan La Botz highlights one, if not the primary, issue that has to be resolved if we are to turn back the tidal wave of anti-union and anti-democratic policies that have transformed the nation’s social and political landscape.  I think both Herman and Dan would agree that we need a revived labor movement. But what will drive the revival? And what form should it take?

Herman’s definition of revival seems to consist of more “oomph” from the AFL-CIO leadership and more attention to union democracy.  Both are sorely needed. The question is whether these are adequate to restore, let alone push forward, the political and economic policies we so desperately need.  In education, the answer is a clear “no” and the example of the Chicago Teachers Union supports Dan’s argument.

Yes, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) conducted a militant strike. But it was not a traditional strike by any means, if we take as a definition of tradition what has existed in US unions for four decades.  What we see in Chicago has been more  like the kind of organizing done by the CIO, fusing a progressive social program to union demands. CORE, the insurgent caucus that leads the CTU and was re-elected last month in a landslide (with over 60% of the members voting) has shifted the political terrain of education politics by embedding union demands in a vision for public education. Yes, the strike was a contract dispute, but these courageous, wise activists found a way to win over the vast majority of teachers to use the contract fight to fight for much more. Theirs was a fight for public education - as is their current struggle against the unnecessary, racist school closings that other cities are facing.  CTU has taken on the power establishment of Chicago and the White House.  They organize along side parents and community activists, as partners. In doing so, the CTU has shown teachers and organized labor the kind of unions - and unionism - we need.  Now. 

The victory of “right to work” legislation in Michigan shows how very tenuous U.S. labor’s hold is on the right to bargain collectively. Is it even a movement? Herman has been so right for so long about union democracy. Still, his analysis reflects the problems liberals have had in understanding that neoliberalism has destroyed the landscape in which unions have functioned.  (In an upcoming article in “The Jacobin,” I’ll be discussing liberalism’s failure to “get” what’s ailing education and the unions more detail.)

(Note: You can now follow me on twitter @drloisweiner.)
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Posted in | No comments
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • Video: Chicago Students Tossed From Board of Education Meeting
    Video of Chicago students taking over the Board of Education Meeting to save schools, prevent education cuts. From Xian Barrett: Published o...
  • Cavanagh Refused to Cooperate with NY Post Article on Mulgrew "Chicken" on Debate
    Every day I am reminded why Julie Cavanagh is not just MORE's presidential candidate but a true leader and why I defer to someone half m...
  • Change the Stakes to Discuss DOE's Bankrupt Student Promotion Policies, MORE Study Group on HST
    Our meetings are always open and all are welcome.  I can guarantee a lively discussion!  Promotion policies will be the focus on the agenda...
  • Parents Present Pearson With $38 Million Invoice for Use of Child Labor for Field Tests
    VISIT CHANGE THE STAKES Press Contacts: Kemala Karmen optout@parentvoicesny.org                                 Janine Sopp   janinesopp@gm...
  • I Echo Jersey Jazzman in Support for CORE in CTU Election on Friday
    Aside from everything else, just look at the ed deformers supporting Karen Lewis' opponents: The soon to be owned by Koch brothers Chica...
  • As Ed Deform Failures Mount, Mid-Course Correction for Former Cheerleaders Merrow, Goldstein, Weingarten
    Cheating is not the problem that must be addressed. It is the most visible and disturbing symptom of the disease, but the disease itself...
  • MORE Weekly Update #65, Sept. 2, 2013
    Happy Labor Day from MORE! View this email in your ...
  • Dana Goldstein on L.A. Teacher Alex Caputo-Pearl and the Real Deal Behind Closing Schools
    On Monday, half the teachers at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles found out they had been dismissed from their jobs as part of a "c...
  • Matt Damon Still a Save Our Schools Superstar
    This week Jeb Bush, a shameless supporter of these destructive corporate reform policies, had the audacity to criticize Matt Damon for choo...
  • DOE Retaliates Against Children Who Opted-Out
    No matter how smart they are, the majority of kids who did not take standardized tests will be forced to attend summer school. ... Take...

Categories

  • 3020a hearing
  • Achievement First
  • achievement gap
  • AFT
  • AFT. UFT
  • Alex Caputo-Pearl
  • Andrew Cuomo
  • Anthony Weiner
  • APPR
  • arne duncan
  • atr
  • Barbara Byrd-Bennett
  • Barbara Morgan
  • Beth Hawkins
  • Bill de Blasio
  • Bill di Blasio
  • Bill Gates
  • Bill Keller
  • Bill Thompson
  • Brian Lehrer
  • Cami Anderson
  • Campbell Brown
  • Carol Burris
  • Chancellor Dennis Walcott
  • Change the stakes
  • Charles Blow
  • charter school
  • charter co-locations
  • charter school hearings
  • charter school lobby
  • charter schools
  • Chicago
  • Chicago Teachers Union
  • Chris Cerf
  • Christine Quinn
  • Christine Rubino
  • Citizens of the World charter
  • closing schools
  • Co-locations
  • Colocations
  • common core
  • Common Core Standards
  • Confessions of a Bad Teacher
  • Corey Booker
  • Danielson
  • Danielson framwork
  • David Steiner
  • Dearborn
  • Deborah Kenny
  • Democracy Prep
  • Dennis Van Roekel
  • Dennis Walcott
  • DFER
  • Diane Ravitch
  • District 14
  • drones
  • E3MN
  • E4E
  • ed deform
  • Education Nation
  • education reform
  • Educators 4 excellence
  • educators for excellence
  • eduwonkette
  • Eric Grannis
  • Erminia Claudio
  • Eva Moskowitz
  • Eva Moskowtiz
  • Evaluations
  • FairTest
  • field tests
  • Francesco Portelos
  • Fred Smith
  • Gates foundation
  • George Schmidt
  • Gotham schools
  • hannah Nguyen
  • Harlem Success Academy
  • Harlem Village Academy
  • high stakes testing
  • high stakes tests
  • High-Stakes Testing
  • House of Cards
  • ICE
  • inBloom
  • Jeb Bush
  • Jennifer Jennings
  • Jennifer Jones Rogers
  • Joe Lhota
  • Joel Klein
  • John B King
  • John King
  • John Liu
  • John Merrow
  • John Owens
  • jonathan halabi
  • Julie Cavanagh
  • Karen Lewis
  • KIPP
  • La Casita
  • LATU
  • Leo Casey
  • Leonie Haimson
  • Leticia James
  • Malcolm Smith
  • Matt Damon
  • mayoral control
  • mayoral election
  • Merryl Tisch
  • Mexico Teachers
  • Michael Benjamin
  • Michael Mulgrew
  • Michelle Rhee
  • Milton Friedman
  • MORE
  • MOSL
  • Movement of Rank and File Educators
  • Murry Bergtraum HS
  • National Education Association
  • nea
  • neo-liberalism
  • New Action
  • New Action-UFT
  • New Action/UFT
  • NEW Caucus
  • New Orleans
  • New York State Education Department
  • Newark
  • NPR
  • NY State Education Department
  • NY State Teacher Evaluations
  • NY Times
  • NY-GPS
  • NYC Teacher Evaluations
  • NYCDOE
  • nycore
  • NYSED
  • Obamacare
  • Office of Portfolio Planning
  • opt-out
  • Panel for educational policy
  • Paul Krugman
  • Paul Vallas
  • PAVE Academy
  • Pearson
  • PEP
  • pre-k
  • PS 15K
  • Public Advocate
  • race to the top
  • Rahm Emanuel
  • Rand Paul
  • Randi Weingarten
  • Reed Hastings
  • Reign of Error
  • Reza Aslan
  • Rockaway Theatre Company
  • scab
  • school closings
  • Seattle Teachers Association
  • Shael Polakow-Suransky
  • Skinny Awards
  • social justice unionism
  • SOS
  • Students United for Public Education
  • Substance
  • Success Academy
  • Success Charter Network
  • SUPE
  • Susan Fuhrman
  • Susan Ohanian
  • TDA
  • Teach for America
  • teacher data reports
  • teacher evaluation
  • teacher evaluations
  • Teachers College
  • TFA
  • The Daily Howler
  • The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman
  • The Wave
  • this week in ed notes
  • Tim Wise
  • Tony Avella
  • town hall
  • Tweed
  • Twinkie
  • UFT
  • UFT charter school
  • UFT elections
  • UFT history
  • union busting
  • Unity Caucus
  • WAGPOPS
  • Waiting for Superman
  • Washington DC
  • Win Back Wednesday
  • wnyc
  • Zealot
  • Zeke Vanderhoek

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2013 (500)
    • ►  October (71)
    • ►  September (80)
    • ►  August (70)
    • ▼  July (66)
      • E4E Gets Another $3 million from Gates Foundation
      • Unflappable Weiner Press Spokesperson Barbara Morg...
      • Principal From Hell Jennifer Rogers: Parents Call ...
      • What Next From FOX? Challenging a Jew for Daring t...
      • Perdido Street on Thompson: Political Hack And Wal...
      • The Little Theater That Could: Rockaway Cafe: The ...
      • Andy Borowitz: Weiner Names New Campaign Manager
      • George Schmidt: Why every Substance reporter shoul...
      • I Won't Post Video of Amateur Actor/Teacher's Mock...
      • High Turnout at MORE Summer Event Overflows the Space
      • July 25 4-7PM - MORE Summer Series: How Should We ...
      • Randi Weingarten Proves She's an Ed Deformer, Mulg...
      • Support Teacher/Parent Marie Corfield for Assembly...
      • Joe Williams' DFER Propaganda Laugh Riot, Lauding ...
      • Newark's NEW Caucus on Chicago Layoffs
      • Jeff Kaufman Covers Trayvon Martin Protest in Los ...
      • This Was The Week That Was: Norms Social Notes
      • Newark Schools for Sale: Cami Anderson, Cerf Keep ...
      • Reposted: Kerrie Dalman, president of Colorado tea...
      • Call for Waiver from teacher evaluations in NY
      • Gotham Schools Funders: You Get What You Pay For
      • NYC Teacher Bloggers on the Loose: Slam Gotham Sch...
      • EIA: Louisiana has the rare combination of high sp...
      • You Get What You Pay For - from a NYC Parent
      • How Do They Loathe Us? - Fred Smith's Sonnet to Ti...
      • Edushyster Blows Up Democracy Prep 100% Grad Rate ...
      • Bruce Baker: Charters are Parasites
      • Gary Gives Advice to an upcoming TFAer
      • Newark Confidential - Turnaround Children Inc. Tr...
      • Weiner owes bump in the polls to black voters, Spi...
      • Video – MORE Summer 2013: High Stakes Testing and ...
      • Critics of Tim Wise for Support for Teach For America
      • Stop and Frisk: My Articles in The Wave
      • Eat a Twinkie, Be a Scab
      • Teach For America's Civil War: Organizing Resistan...
      • NYDN: Charter school funding balloons during Mayo...
      • Martin Van Buren HS Community fight back against c...
      • Lois Weiner on the Survival of Unions and Why Chic...
      • Fiorillo: Better Randi than no union at all
      • Campbell Brown Calls for Arrest of Lucas, Disgrace...
      • Success Academy Evil Moskowitz Sues on State Audit...
      • TODAY MORE Summer Series 4-7pm
      • DOE Retaliates Against Children Who Opted-Out
      • Ravitch Friends Randi, Fiorillo and Many Others Ob...
      • Protest at Tweed Over Racist Comments Draws a Crow...
      • Mercedes Schneider on Another Vallas Scam: New Orl...
      • DOENUTS IS BACK With a New Blogger
      • MORE Summer Series Begins Thursday, 4PM: High Sta...
      • Arthur Goldstein Featured in Queens Chronicle on m...
      • Why is the AFT Giving Credence to a Much Disparage...
      • Monday July 8th Noon Picket demanding an immediate...
      • Diane Ravitch, Susan Ohanian Battle the Mean Machi...
      • A Chicago Teacher's Action Inspires Antitest Crusa...
      • When in the course of human events....
      • George Schmidt Rebuts Defense of Paul Vallas on Ra...
      • Bob Peterson at NEA: Friends we are at war/ Protes...
      • George Schmidt Rakes Over Paul Vallas: Liar, Crook...
      • Killing Union Dues: Now, Michigan
      • Revolt Brewing in NEA As Van Roekel Does a Randi, ...
      • Exploring Implications of Washington DC Union Elec...
      • Coming Soon to a State Near You: Another Attack on...
      • Candi is Dandy as Her Slate Wins Washington DC Uni...
      • Joel Klein Teaching Resume: Sept/Oct 1968 During T...
      • The Onion: Progressive Charter School Doesn’t Have...
      • MEDIA ALERT: Queens Teachers Warned DOE Officials ...
      • Getting ready for the end of the world... or a PEP...
    • ►  June (62)
    • ►  May (60)
    • ►  April (67)
    • ►  March (24)
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

Unknown
View my complete profile