Marshall High and other turnaround high schools, in Chicago and nationally, face a thorny dilemma. Higher-performing students are being siphoned off through competition, driving down enrollment and raising tough policy questions about the future of these schools.
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Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
By: Alexander Russo / May 14, 2008
As you know, there's a new blog up and running, called the Coalition for a Strong Democratic Union -- an "independent forum" for members of the CTU. It's got some good links and a bunch of uploaded documents including fliers alleging financial mismanagement by the current CTU leadership and the CTU constitution, all in PDF form.
Do you think this new coalition has a chance of resolving the internal strife within CTU and returning the CTU to the job of protecting teachers and making schools better for everyone? Or do you think that the situation isn't so dire and can be handled through the pre-existing CTU caucuses, PACT and UPC?
UPDATE: Listen here to find out what happened when delegate John Kugler tries to raise a question of privilege with Marilyn Stewart at the most recent delegates meeting: "The issue was to remove or at least identify the salaried CTU staffers
so they would not influence the debate since it is those very people
that my be cut from the budget," writes Kugler.
May 7 HoD-Question of Priviledge (jk).mp3
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
It’s always great to see shows being produced in an effort to bring underrepresented cultures or things into the limelight; as long as it constitutes a fair and balanced portrayal of the subject matter at hand. October 5, 2008, the CW Network premiered a new drama from the creators of The Sopranos. The new show, called Easy Money, is said to be about a family who owns and operates a “high-interest loan†business called Prestige Payday Loans. However, by taking one look at the trailers for the new drama, as well as a few of the episode synopsis, my biggest fear is that the premise for the show is based solely on vicious media stereotypes. With this in mind, think of the last time that you viewed a news story either online or on television news talking about the payday loan industry. Chances are the story you saw or read wove tales of “real†persons’ woes fueled by their getting bogged down in an “endless cycle of debt.†Worst of all, according to such “articles,†it all started when they needed to borrow money to fix their car or pick up the tab on another unexpected bill. Such stories are further proof that, for the sake of winning the ratings wars, news networks will latch on to and report only the juiciest, most scandalous aspects of any big story and completely ignore everything else. It seems as if the CW network is following suit in an effort to recover viewers lost during the Writer’s Strike. One, for instance, opens with the tag line, “for this family of loan sharks, money is easy.†Surely, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not the CW or the show’s creators learned what the industry is really about. Chances are, probably not.
Post Courtesy of Personal Money Store
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Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
You need somebody to protect your rights.Coalition is here for you.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
The recorded "official" vote was 175-170 in favor of the budget. Of course there was no roll call vote, that would have made things too clear and incontrovertible.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
What was the "offical" vote on the Budget according to the union officials?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Take me back to Chicago
Tick, tick, tick, tick, i hope the president is reading this, since each tick represents
time passing. I am sure she does not yet realize the revolt has begun but with every
tick of the clock we get stronger she gets weaker.
Remember 40 years ago this summer what we did to the scumbag democratic
party on the streets led directly to our first real strike in 1969.We only wounded the beast
but our barbs were enough bring on a contract. Keep it up proper application of pressure
this summer will get the attention of those who need the status- que in tact for the
elimination of all public sector unions and the pet project of 2016.
To my brothers and sisters last night ---well done, you fought to a draw in their
Dojo.I now believe your own river crossing is ahead.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
aint it past the hack bedtime?
gotta to figure out how to screw the membership tomorrow.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdZlm2yjWjo new=true]Boo Do YouThink You Are?[/url]
just like you all did at Wells Today!
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Soon and very soon the truth shall be told with iron clad proof regarding members of that coalition group. yeah, they should celebrate what they perceive as a victory today because in a very few minutes the darkness will part and the light will shine....
and the rank and file will be really angry with the coalition....
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Yes. Victory tonight.
How much did we spend on this vote and how much coercion?
[b]NONE[/b]
[b]WE WON![/b]
It has a life of its own. Once we start this thing who knows where it will go, but once it gets going no one will be able to control it or stop it!
No one controls it.
It is growing everyday.
Just like the delegate list.
[b]Victory![/b]
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Thank you Bridgeport Teacher. With the vote being this close, is there any legal recourse?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
tsk, tsk, all that anger does not change the out come of that vote does it? no matter how many times the same post is copied. have a great summer. :-)
all that anger is not conducive to your efforts to build a coalition; ask the coalition.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Even worse birds eye too...during the vote to extend the debate that ended up being tied, there was a child standing up on the "con" side...I'm sure he was counted.
The voting process is absolutely ludicrous and flawed. We should absolutely have roll call voting on serious issues that require accuracy, fairness and documentation.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
I was there also and saw many people without badges or with non voting badges lined up to vote AGAINST passing the budget. Perhaps they were just following orders, didn't know they were not eligible to vote --or-- perhaps they were trying to "put one over".
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Birds don't have very good vision. I was there too and it was tight. And so it is.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
I'm still in shock that this budget passed. I was sitting in the balcony with a bird's eye view and when they divided the house the north side (160ish)O was shy of the resouinding NO south side.(190ish), and her bullies in the balcony don't speak well of her either. Now, union members can't even be spectators at their union meeting?
Perhaps all of this inability to count correctly is what has gotten us into such debt in the first place??? We really need the coalition to work because the MS steam roller keeps on rolling and I for one don't know how long we can aford it!
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
This above post is pretty humorous and like most things the union has presented to its members it is 50% fact, 50% obfuscation. When there was a vote to extend the q & a on the budget, they recounted the NO votes - not the yes votes and ended up with 290 "no" votes on the recount...please.
There were also some UPC people at the mike with scripted questions asking the same two questions over and over again, not with the intention of informing the delegates or getting information to the union and its members, but to simply delay, stall, and KEEP information from being given to the delegates.
So while you want to talk about childish behavior, look first at your own doorstep. Look first at the empty, Bush like rhetoric that the UPC side was giving tonight "If you're against the budget, you're against the Union" Gee...where have I heard that before...oh yeah, that's right....our president, "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists..."
It is obvious to anyone who is willing to open their eyes, that the reason contracts are "lost", and the budget isn't presented in full, and that there are millions and millions of dollars missing, and that the union pays $200,000 a year on INTEREST ONLY in loans, is because they are doing something wrong.
It makes me sad, it makes me sick, and for the first time tonight, I made an ass of myself, and I am proud. I stood up for what is right and what is just, against secrets and half-truths. I stood up for the sixty teachers that I represent, and I will do it until I can't do it anymore.
I could balance that budget myself. If the union staff did their work and could catch millions of dollars vanishing every year, maybe they'd earn their money...hell, I have 7th graders who would notice that...and they don't notice much. There is no reason to think that they wouldn't, unless they don't want to. As for working more hours than teachers...you try living two blocks from you school, and have your children attend your school. You get knocks on your door from students, e-mails from them, phone calls from them...all day long. They come to you years later for job recommendations and letters to help them get into school, for advice they can't always go to their parents for....
I don't know which member of the Union administration gets a 15 minute lunch and has to find someone out in the hall when they have to take a poop.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
[i]Union staff is corporate and they work more hours than a teacher. It still only comes to $50 an hour.[/i]
Not any of the teachers I know. I would be happy to compare my schedule with any of the CTU officers, as long as they would be willing to switch salaries with me if they lose.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Well Alex,
Whether people like it or not the CTU budget for 2008-2009 passed in the CTU House of Delegates tonight.
The Ted Dallas, Debbie Lynch, Linda Porter, Chris Rud..., John Kugler, George Schmidt coalition delayed the vote as long as is possible. Theresa Daniels made a motion to table the budget vote and return during the summer-ha ha. There was a lot of ridiculous behavior tonight. The children sitting next to me were amazed and asked (while Ms. Pope screeched at the mike) "are these really our teachers acting like this"?
There was the question why should union reps/staff get paid more than teachers? Oh please. Union staff is corporate and they work more hours than a teacher. It still only comes to $50 an hour.
A better concern is why a guy who hits a ball with a stick makes $50 million a year, while his high school coach who taught him the game makes $60 thousand. That is outrageous.
There was screaming about cell phone bills, and expense accounts and yada yada yada.
There was a very nice moment of silence for those who have died. We have had many losses this year. At least all the different caucuses could come together on that.
No doubt the coalition will come up with some more minutia but so what. Have a great summer.
The answer Alex to your question is a resounding NO.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
There is a court case regarding similiar situation.
By removing Ted the Union will increase their financial liabilities.
Do not be stupid VOTE NO TO BUDGET
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
two things:
one-do you think the trial board will be allowed to cast their ballots secretly. i believe they will be asked how they voted. the ballot they cast will have their names on it. if they vote opposite to the way MS wants them to, they will be labled as outcasts or traitors.
two-MS's cronies are showing that dallas has spent a few thousand on members meetings. what about the members meetings that were really re-elect MS meetings. they were going on for a year before the election. hundreds of thousands spent for political reasons, with the mask of informational meetings.
big time scam against dallas will continue unless the trial board realizes the lies and are allowed to vote by secret ballot.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
It is evident that Union(We)will have to face additional legal battle and costs associated.
Only 2 years left.After that Marilyn will be sued for the costs of all legal procedures initiated.
We remember who is on the Board and how fraudulent their votes are.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Kuglar, you got the guts of a rhino. Heard you walked into that exective board meeting like a warrior. Union needs people like you. Rational: Removing Dallas as a union member means he cannot be an officer. Unfortunately, the board has been lobbied and briefed by the CTU leadership. The entire staff was gloating and giving the thumbs up after the vote. No secret ballot. Means the officers would know how everyone voted. Bottomline, new executive board will be elected when a new set of officers get elected. It's like a circle of change. Out with corruption, in with a new group.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Because they were told to do so
................................................................
There is no provision to remove an officer.
So how is it that the executive council voted on something that was not in the constitution?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
scum traitor executive council and traitor officers. that support termination and scab.how many members of your caucus are from closing schools or terminated teachers.answer.none.you loose. scum bag
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Review the "High Level Strife" page to get details on the sudden discontent. It's all there. As a potential officer candidate in a real coalition caucus, you should know everything. God I love this blog. Oh and by the way, if you are out there "just the facts", good luck on Monday. Hope you have some new faces.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
The Executive Board now known as the Trial Board were all choosen by the UPC Caucus. While Lynch was in office, the UPC caucus had a dozen active members. These board members are someway linked to the CTU leadership and their allies.
Democratically elected means when you voted in this last NO BRAINER election for Stewart and Dallas, you automatically voted all these board members in.
This whole trial is a premeditated scam by the staffers to get rid of the person who was making them accountable for their actions. Did Dallas yell at them to perform, yes. Did Dallas discipline them for ghost payrolling, yes. Did Dallas take them to dinner, yes. Was Dallas responsible for putting them in high paying jobs, yes! Did all these people manipulate Stewart to remove Dallas, yes. Was Ostenberg the key behind the Dallas removal, yes.
Does all this mean Stewart will be elected to a third term. NO.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Stewart
she initiated the break up of the UPC when people started to question her loyalty to the rank and file members.
It became quite clear when Dallas was charged with insubordination for visiting closing schools and members being terminated.
one document from Marc Wiggler states that Dallas was [i]jeopardizing the process[/i] meaning the E3 process. Dallas tried to stop the terminations that is why he was insubordinate to the union.
Joshua Strand Delegate and Nate Dickson Field Rep. refused to file grievances or lend any support to the members.
All four veteran tenured teachers are being terminated by one principal with less than two years in the building.
Remember the names.
They are the traitors to the rank and file members.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Dear Lois, Dallas was not in on the August sellout. It hit him by surprise. That was the final straw in his decision to stop supporting Marilyn. He did not know she was going to ram the contract down everyones throat. He did not know she was going to purposely screw up the vote. The last thing you want to do at a house meeting is speak against a fellow officer. I bet shortly after he wished he did, but the average person can't think on their feet that fast. The next president of this union needs to be extraordinary or the union will fall.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Would you please explain what "democratically elected" exactly means?Do we have 5 "democratically elected"officers or the definition changes according to needs and wants?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Didn't before.......this is not the same UPC.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Can you explain what the nine teachers' testimony was? I was not there, but I've been told that 39 of the 41 democratically elected Executive Board members found this testimony unsupported. Bringing accusations does not substitute for evidence.
Also, someone said the field reps and staff were excluded from this whole process. So why the implied threat toward them?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
last night nine teachers testified that the union has not represented these members. All field reps responsible have been taken note of.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Hi.I asked him the same questions.Hope he will contact you with full explanation.After all we have to deal with undereducated dishonest people who supposed to be our leaders and protectors.
The anger is growing and thosands of betrayed teachers will take an action shortly.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Get lost.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
The problems I have with Ted Dallas are:
a. He backed Marilyn Stewart and was quite instrumental in getting her elected.
b. He did absolutely nothing at that August 31 meeting when Marilyn rammed the contract down everyone's throat.
What is behind all this sudden discontent is still a mystery to me. As far as I am concerned you cannot separate the officers. They all stay or they all go.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Well Alex,
Your question was answered. No.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
I just received an e mail.I am asked why I support Dallas.Dallas refused to hire me as a field reps year ago and I am still on his side?
Answer:I strongly believe that he is the only person at the Mart who really cares about members.Also ,he is an experienced and effective.
They try to punish him for visiting schools where members are under fire.
I am not for sale.If others were better prepared for the fields rep job I could only congratulate them.
I wish all of you the pleasant,beautiful day.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
"...Marilyn is a member of the American Federation of Teachers' (AFT) Executive Board, representing pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, and she represents AFT as an international liaison to South Africa and Israel. She also serves as vice president of the Chicago Federation of Labor and she represents labor on the Board of the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago..." (N'Digo, puffery, yesterday).
1. What does "international liaison to South Africa and Israel" do, and for how many dollars?
2. Does that seat on the Board of Amalgamated Bank still pay more than $25,000 per year, plus expenses? How much of a break did Amalgamated give CTU when those million dollar loans were made? Isn't it illegal to have a business relationship with a bank on whose Board you sit, Marilyn?
I'm talking here about illegal under some very strict federal laws, not some look-the-other-way-with-a-wink AFT and IFT procedures.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
"...I hear the Crew of the Titanic did some great work putting together their entertainment menu. Why do they get such a bad rap?..." (Forest, yesterday).
These historical metaphors and other figures of speech are almost always fun, but generally irrelevant and usually misleading. Nevertheless, to at least pretend to have some respect for the histories, present and 100 years ago (when Titanic was under construction in Belfast)...
It wasn't the crew of the Titanic that screwed up, _____. It was the designers, those who bid the contract (like those rivets that popped and those lifeboats that were cut on the drawing board), and those who profited at the corporate level from allowing so many of the fundamentals to go out to the lowest bidder, under deadline pressure.
Like at Orr.
The top dogs, from Orr's former "Principal for a Day" and his corporate master on down, got away with blaming the victims, all the way down to the crew members who drowned or froze that night. Gosh. Didn't "Reconstitution" work the first time? (That's legally what's happening this month and next again, despite all that prattle about "Turnarounding" places).
And didn't we have the good old "Intervention" miracle back in 2000?
Which was followed by the centralized (and every so trendy) "Small Schools" solution just four years ago?!!!
So now we've got "Turnarounding" and that will do it just fine, trust me, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE, we've finally got it right this time, just fire all the teachers (AGAIN)...
Only a town terrorized into historical amnesia and a union whose President has sold out (out of a ruthless combination of venality and sheer stupidity) could tolerate this double-talk this long.
Isn't it time someone checked all the way to the drawing board and asked why the ship was so badly designed to begin with?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
where was porter during all this? she should have a "charge" against her because she was the treasurer. oh yeah, she is dallas' sidekick. he will protect her for a minute. coalition can have dallas and porter.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
disrepute - Damage to or loss of reputation.
lets vote
who has done what the definition says
dallas or stewart
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Maybe not you, or those teachers at Orr, Harper etc. and all the other schools closed since 2001 but there is still a lot of good work going on. It is a shame that some are caught up and can't see the forest for the trees.
Well, we are lucky--thanks to Stewart's crew, it will be easy to see the whole forest, as it seems to be shrinking quickly.
I hear the Crew of the Titanic did some great work putting together their entertainment menu. Why do they get such a bad rap?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
since I was there I guess I am not suppose to say what happened. that is what they said, but i did not sign anything.
any lawyers out there?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Remember VOTE NO TO THE ILLEGAL BUDGET
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
In order to see documents please visit www.coalitionsdu.org and click on BLOG,than on particular pdf file.
By the way ,tomorrow at 2:00 P.M I will be able to present the affidavit regarding Marilyn's inaction regarding school closures.
The attorney's appearance are on file already.
Progress will be reported on regular basis.If you have a question regarding documents posted please contact Marilyn or any of her officers in order to confirm.The Coalition never lie.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
I am afraid that Union Officers are trying to committ suicide.Jumping on each other during such difficult times...
Not serving members who need immediate attention...
Too bad. It is an irony that CPS officers show more professionalism
than our Union elected people.Members writing grievances on their own.Kugler was able to save peoples jobs by dealing directly with Labor Relations.We hate Board but first we should realize that ineffective,fake actions will definitely hurt the prestige and respect of our officers.
Do we really need them?Wake up People we elected you not do do the destructive job but serve members.
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Any news on that special meeting at the CTU yet?
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Are we surprised by any of this? We have a lot of work to do. Brothers and Sisters, the first step is to vote NO on a budget that encumbers us beyond this administration's term.
The second is to get our membership up in arms about the dysfuntion that passes for an administration at Merchandise Mart. Our younger members need to feel this Union is worth fighting for.
Thirdly, the paid staffers (full & part-time) need to stop wasting valuable mike time at the House of Delegates meetings - It is not the House of Hacks meetings. Speak against this budget!!!
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
Glendis Hambrick was a great union member and a great shop teacher. This union 'feeding' would have never gone on with the old-timers.
Pensionable car allowance? Marilyn says they aren't supposed to visit any schools? Why do they even need a car anyway?
$925 a month...for 12 months...then $1000 a month for 12 months and up and up. Hpw much does Marilyn get.
This is garbage. We should put an end to this now.
More on Scab Facts
FACT:
It's possible for a member to not be listed SB, but still have scabbed during a strike. The member may not have been reported to the CTU. It's usually the delegate who does the reporting. Since Stewart and the scab were close friends, the scab was not reported as such. What kind of delegate was this? This does not preclude the fact that the person in question is a scab and Stewart used poor judgment in hiring her. One of the witnesses signed an affadavit and I'm sure there are more who would do so.