Dear Mr.UFT Chap,
Why do you come to the Rubber room if only to yell and insult the reassigned members? Why do you shoot down our questions in mid flight? Could it be that you don't have any definitive answers? We ask, you roll your eyes. We apologize for asking the "wrong" questions. You are condescending and offensive. You jingle your keys and look around the room. You seem preoccupied. You look at your watch as if we are detaining you from something more important, like moving your car as it is parked on the wrong side of the street. Like a soap opera, you leave us void of answers week after week. Unanswered questions. Conflicting explanations. Your lame attempts to counsel are heartless and often cut short by your need to feed the parking meter.
Every situation is different", you say. Well, what about 'this' situation? Would it be so much to ask that you come prepared to respond to the concerns we left you with a week before? We are starving for information. You come here empty handed. You offer us nothing but the same old,"I'll get back to you". Your words are empty and meaningless. You are truly pathetic. Your lack of knowledge is unacceptable.
You are our union. Efficient in collecting our dues but inefficient when it comes to addressing our needs and concerns. Where is the apathy/concern for the deterioration of our physical and mental well being? You arrive void of solutions and leave us feeling worse than before you came. Where is the passion? Where is a union who fights a strong fight for its' members?
We have been reassigned and awaiting a chance for fair justice. It has been an endless wait for most of us. Why does the union allow us to be portrayed in such a poor light? Why does this feel and look like punishment? These strict and confining work conditions seem more like jail everyday. We are cut off from the mainstream. We are feeling stress and anxiety from the effects of isolation. Where is the moral support of our union? Is there such a thing as stress management?
We have served this education system for a majority of our adult lives. We are the education system. Most of us have been raised and educated by this system, a system that few of us can barely recognize now. A system that has betrayed and failed us time and time again.
Disillusion comes only to the illusioned. One cannot be disillusioned of what one never put faith in. -Dorothy Thompson
Chaz said...
Can't agree with you more on the UFT's lack of concern about the reassigned teachers.
February 16, 2009 9:54 AM
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Blogger moriah said...
I suggested once to my district rep that the uft have support groups for teachers who were being targeted by their principals. She said that it would be a "pity party" and would serve no purpose. I don't agree. Cancer patients, alchoholics, divorcees, you name it. They all have support groups.
I understand your reticence inside the rubberroom. You don't know what the person next to you has been charged with--maybe he/she really deserves to be there. Also I wouldn't be surprised if there were a spy or two in there.
Another problem is that each person's case is privileged information between you and your attorney. You give that up if you talk about it.
The blogosphere is a good start. It's not like talking to a group of real people who are going through the same trials and tribulations you are, but it's better than being isolated.
There has to be some way to become proactive in your defense. The waiting game is designed to demoralize you and wear you down so that you'll sign anything just to get out of there.
Only those who have gone through this can understand how painful it is. But we have more to share than our pain. Any ideas?
February 25, 2009 9:56 PM
