TEACHERS FOR CHANGE ------May 2004
We’ve Lost Our Way
By A. J. Duffy
In the 30 years since UTLA was ushered into being, we have managed to rival the district in bureaucracy. The only difference is that LAUSD has far more bureaucrats. But, make no mistake about it, our bureaucracy is as insidious as LAUSD’s and will continue to hinder our ability to service our teachers and health and human service workers in a meaningful way unless we have a leader who will take us down a different path and set the tone for change.
UTLA’s primary function has always been to solve the problems of teachers and HHS workers on a daily basis, so that they can do their jobs in the secure knowledge that their union is working for them.
In our earlier days, Area Representatives enforced our contract and helped members deal with related educational issues and were involved in political action. Now the dual role is impossible. To require our Area Reps to maintain both functions is madness! It can not be done. New thinking must emerge.
I propose that we split the functions. We must get away from the idea that Area Reps. should organize school sites. Area Reps. should spend the bulk of their time helping members on a daily basis, answering question over the phone and doing grievances. They should also work with officers to deal with related educational issues that affect the school site. The best way to organize schools for future union action is to service the needs of the members. Only when UTLA does this will our teachers and HHS workers be ready for the kind of large scale efforts we will have to mount in the future to protect our profession from those who would destroy it.
I do not propose that we cut back on political action. In fact, I will increase our political action by drawing on our members instead of our professional staff. We must create an organizing core. This group, which would receive special training, will be taken from our 40,000+ membership, our Board of Directors, and the UTLA House of Representatives. UTLA’s wealth of people-power is our real strength. This organizing core can be used to run elections and mass actions at school sites and District offices. We need not create this core overnight, but we MUST start the process now.
Now is the time for bold action and assertive leadership to get us out of the bureaucratic prison UTLA has created for our members.
MY NAME IS A.J. DUFFY I AM A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF UTLA.
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UNION SOLIDARITY
By Haywood Thompson, Chapter Chair Arlington Heights Elementary
In thinking about what changes I would like to see occur in our union, I am reminded of the popular theme that runs through many books and movies of friends working together to make a change. I’m talking about friends coming to your assistance in your time of need and being loyal to those on your side of an issue. It’s about coming to the aid of people who are on your side. Those are the kinds of friends we’d all like to have. It’s also an example of the kind of loyalty I’d like to feel I’m getting from UTLA.
I want a strong union, a union that knows when to work with and when to fight against LAUSD. I believe that that UTLA has a responsibility to confront the district on behalf of its members and defend the contract to its fullest. I would like to see the union earn the same level of respect as other powerful unions, such as those representing corrections officers and long shore workers. This can only be achieved by leadership that listens to its members in order to truly discern what the real issues are. This same leadership will also need the necessary vision to develop a political/lobby arm of that the union which rivals no other and an internal structure that helps members on a daily basis. It is my belief that, in time, this can be achieved.
Unfortunately, I still see too much apathy among union members. There are still too many teachers who don’t want to get involved with an issue unless it affects them directly. Benefits and compensation tend to fall into this category. Concurrently, the true militant and extremely active members are beginning to age. Why aren’t the younger members stepping up in large numbers and preparing to fill the inevitable spaces which will be created once these veteran members are gone? My guess is that in order for this to happen, these members must become involved with issues that they feel passionate about, the kind of passion which was so prevalent during the strikes of the 1970’s and the late 1980’s. In those days the union galvanized under strong leadership, fought for what they believed in, and won.
In my opinion, the current leadership is having a difficult time connecting with its members in order to bring out that same level of passion seen in these earlier decades. There also needs to be an understanding that this level of passion is not developed overnight but comes about through a long term commitment to tradition and loyalty, the kind of loyalty that comes with knowing that the union will not back down in its negotiations until it comes away with a contract that is agreeable to everyone.
I believe the UTLA election of 2005 will offer us a real choice in selecting a President who believes that our members come first and that the school site ought to be the center of the universe.
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Join the Campaign. You can help by distributing campaign literature and the TFC newsletter at your school and at other schools, help build a campaign organization in your UTLA Area and donating money to “The Campaign to elect A.J. Duffy, President of UTLA” Call and talk to the candidate at (310) 915-0923.
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A.J. Duffy’s dedication and commitment to teacher rights protected me from administrative harassment and retaliation.
Greg Liebowitz
Kentwood Elementary
Former West Area Cluster Leader
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A.J. Duffy is a person who takes on a task and stays with it!
Lyle Lindquist
Mid City Charter - Chapter Chair
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A.J. Duffy is a powerhouse. He fights for teachers and health and human service workers.
Joel Hahn
LACES - Chapter Chair
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Without A.J. Duffy’s help our Principal would have walked all over us. With his help she was DEMOTED.
Laura Lemmo
Walgrove Elem. Former Chapter Chair
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When our school needed help A.J. Duffy was there!
Angela Cobb
Palms Elem.- Chapter Chair
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GOT A PROBLEM ?
GET A.J. DUFFY!!!
Henry Ethridge
Dorsey High School Chapter Chair
