TEACHERS FOR CHANGE ------ June 2004
Reform of the UTLA House of Representatives
By A.J. Duffy
As a candidate for UTLA President, I have no intention to simply criticize our current UTLA President. I have concrete ideas for change and feel strongly that unless these changes are made UTLA will continue to be a doormat for LAUSD. I will be discussing my ideas for change in each TFC edition.
In the last edition of the TFC newsletter, there was an article written by concerned members of the UTLA House of Representatives, our policy-making body. That article stated that little or nothing has been accomplished in the last 6 months at meetings and that has been the pattern for the last 10 years. That pattern MUST end !
The House of Reps. must reflect the opinions of teachers and health and human service workers at the local school site. Therefore, two-thirds of all House members should be Chapter Chairs, Co-Chairs, or elected Vice Chairs. The House should be made up of 270 members, 30 members from each of the 8 UTLA areas and 30 from special categories. Each area and the special categories should have no more than 5 alternates. This is large enough to be representative but small and compact enough not to be unwieldy. This would automatically lower the quorum requirement.
The House of Reps. committees should continue to meet once a month. Members need to know how important the House committees are. The committees represent the members’ views and their concerns. For the House to be more effective, I believe issues should go directly to committees for recommendations before being discussed in the House.
In an era when teachers and their representatives are burdened with too many meetings, we need to find ways to cut back on meetings and still accomplish our goals. The House need not meet 8 times a year. I propose that the House meet no more than 5 times with 2 or 3 of those meetings to be all-day meetings on release time. The remaining meetings should be evening meetings. I believe that release time is not an extravagance: The union is here to serve the members.
In order to assure that the House of Reps. truly reflects the will and desire of the members, I believe it is critical to change to a parliamentary system. We must take the bully pulpit away from the President and place the running of the House in the hands of an elected Speaker of the House. That person must be a member of the House but should be nominated by the UTLA Board of Directors and confirmed by the House. The Speaker of House would automatically be a member of the UTLA Board of Directors.
On a personal note, this is a novel idea - someone running for the Presidency of UTLA suggesting that power be taken away and given to others. I strongly believe in sharing power and involving as many people as possible in the decision-making process. Reform of the internal operations of UTLA is essential for our future health as a union and our effectiveness as a force for change in public education.
MY NAME IS A.J. DUFFY. I AM A CANDIDATE FOR UTLA PRESIDENT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A Man for All Reasons
Gail Jackson-Bassett, Former Chapter Chair, Castle Heights Elem.
Our profession and our union are in dire straits. As veteran classroom teachers, we are constantly bombarded with mandates. Restrictive, programmed teaching systems rob our students of valuable individualized instruction. Endless questionably-reliable district assessments consume our already limited teaching day. Test-taking skills have almost replaced quality teaching. Bulging with waste and growing bureaucracy, LAUSD’s financial mismanagement and multiple mini-districts gorge upon our already anorexic school budget. How can we as educators gain the right to participate in a meaningful way, determining what works best for our students?
UTLA, itself, is guilty of bureaucracy. UTLA’s bureaucracy has greatly hindered our ability to competently represent our 40,000+ members. Within our union, separation widens between members and those we elect and/or hire to serve our needs. Apathy and the same old rhetoric continue. Clichés such as the “fat-cats” within LAUSD or “chop from the top” are still used, as if we don’t already know this. How can we as union members enhance the quality of our profession and gain the respect we deserve?
For many years, I worked closely with A.J. Duffy to resolve various issues at my school when I was chapter chair. Each time, he made himself readily available and responded promptly. His vast knowledge of the contract, along with an in-depth understanding of how the district works, helped resolve each situation justly, professionally, efficiently and in a timely fashion!
As former West Area Chair, A.J. Duffy organized West Area chapter chair training. With the help of other union members, two comprehensive training manuals were developed. Each manual included vital information that chapter-chairs could quickly use to find information to help them represent teachers and health and human service workers. He also organized political brunches. Attending these events were current candidates running for office. This provided a great opportunity for UTLA members to meet, question, and speak directly to our future representatives.
A.J. Duffy possesses essential qualities desperately needed as our next UTLA President. He repeatedly demonstrates his talents as a strong leader and effective organizer. A.J. Duffy has over 30 years experience as a teacher, from preschool through high school, both general and special education, and is currently the Dean of Students at Palms Middle School. In my opinion, he will never forget the classroom. That fact alone makes him a truly valuable asset.
UTLA is in need of change and a strong leader who can empower our members and put the YOU back into UTLA. Join me in electing A.J. Duffy as our next UTLA President!
____________________
Join the Campaign to elect A.J. Duffy, President of UTLA. You can help by: distributing the TFC newsletter and campaign literature at your school and getting other teachers to do the same, building a campaign organization in your UTLA area or donating money to the Campaign to elect A.J. Duffy, President, 3547 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066.
Call to talk to the candidate (310) 915-0923.
-------------------------------------------------------
