MORE’s 3rd Annual Summer Series: Discuss, Debate, Educate!
Join the Movement of Rank-and-File Educators (MORE) for discussions exploring the past, present and future of teacher unionism. All are welcome!
Wednesdays 4:00pm-7:00pm
The Dark Horse
17 Murray St. NYC
Near City Hall, Chambers St, WTC
$5 Drafts & Well Drinks
July 16th
Who Runs the UFT? Why Are There Alternatives? A Historical Perspective 1960-2014
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The UFT formed in 1960 as a merger of several organizations. By 1964 the Unity caucus emerged as the ruling party of the UFT, which they remain to this day. Throughout the union’s history various dissident groups and caucuses have contested this dominance. At different times these groups merged, ran joint slates, or disbanded. We will discuss why these groups formed and their differing visions and strategies. How is MORE related to this history? What can we learn from it?
July 30th
Life Under the New Contract
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This fall we will be returning to a radically changed work environment, which educators are approaching with a mix of hope and anxiety. How can school workers use the new contract to advocate for themselves and their students? How can we activate new people, strengthen our union chapters, and empower ourselves at work? Which members are more vulnerable under the new contract, and how can we support them? MORE wants to campaign this year around tenure, paperwork reduction, ATR rights and chapter leader elections, and we need your ideas and energy!
August 13th
Lessons from the Chicago Teachers’ Union Featuring Guest Speakers from Chicago
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In 2010, activists in the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) took over their union – successful displacing a conservative leadership with a team of organizers headed by dynamo Karen Lewis. This group would lead the CTU on its strike against Rahm Emmanuel that mobilized teachers and school communities. The strike electrified the labor movement, however Chicago is very different than New York City. What lessons can we learn from Chicago? Can we adapt the model of CORE to the conditions of New York City?
August 20th
UFT 101: Why Does Our Teachers’ Union Matter?
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Are you entering the teaching profession or new to NYC schools? Are you wondering what the teacher union is all about and what it means to you and your students? Is it something you should be active in? Do educators, parents and students share common interests? Can unions be vehicles for social justice? Meet with new and veteran teachers to discuss these questions and more in this introduction to teacher unionism
Here is the flyer for distribution MORE summer 14 Announce-1