'They Will Galvanize Us Instead.'
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A Conversation With Richard Carranza P.6-7 Sept. 2018 Volume 52, Number 1 American Federation NEWS of School Administrators, COUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERVISORS AND ADMINISTRATORS AFL-CIO Local 1 Another Raise And More... BY CRAIG DIFOLCO In September and October, all CSA-represented DOE staff will receive a raise as part of the 2014 contract negoti- ated by a team led by Mark Cannizzaro. With the current contract ending this April, and new negotiations on the horizon, it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the power of collective bargaining and what we might lose if anti-union forces succeed in their attempts to reduce our power. Here are some highlights of what CSA fought for and won during the last negotiation. For a full list, go to www.csa-nyc.org. • CSA members (DOE) received a raise of more than 18 percent compounding over the life of the contract, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. • CSA members received retroactive pay for the 4 percent raises in 2010 and 2011. 25% has already been paid out, and the remaining will be paid out over the COURTESY OF AFSA next three years. • By the end of the current contract, the CSA Union Spirit At AFSA Convention Welfare Fund for active members will be increased an additional $136 per member per year. This is over and n CSA members celebrated unionism and public education with other locals of the American Federation of School above the NYC pattern increase of $100 per member Administrators at their 15th Triennial Constitutional Convention in National Harbor, Maryland. Former CSA President Ernest per year. Logan, center, became the organization’s president. STORY AND PICTURES ON PAGES 10-11. • Additional annual leave and work hour flexibility. SUPREME COURT Rogue’s Gallery In Janus Case ‘They Will BY CHUCK WILBANKS groups including the one that now ing through their state and local offi- employs Mark Janus. cials, from making important choices n June 27, the Supreme For mercenaries willing to betray about workplace governance.” Galvanize Court handed down it’s their unions, there is money to be 5-4 decision on Janus made. he decision capped decades v. AFSCME Council The Janus decision, written by of planning and organization Us Instead.’ 31, finding that unions Justice Samuel Alito, tossed out several T by a coalition of some of the Ocannot collect ‘fair share’ fees from decades of precedent by holding that richest people in the United States, CSA President Mark Cannizzaro issued our people who don’t want to belong to mandatory dues to cover the costs from the Koch and DeVos clans, to union’s response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the union. Less than a month later, of collective bargaining constitutes a the OIins, Bradleys, Coors and others. Janus v AFSCME. plaintiff Mark Janus quit his $71,000 violation of employees’ free speech. Even though they preach a merciless Today the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a year job as a child support specialist The ruling was disturbing on several vision of self-reliance and individual Mark Janus in Janus v. AFSCME, the case chal- in the Illinois state family services levels, not least of which was the enterprise, they have formed a union lenging the constitutionality of the fair share fees agency and became a “senior fellow” Court’s analysis that everything a of sorts of their own. Members of their public sector unions collect from employees who at the Illinois Policy Institute, “a free union does is political, not just lob- coalition pay fees that go toward lobby- don’t wish to join their union but still benefit market oriented think tank,” which is bying or supporting candidates. Alito ing, backing political candidates, and from the fruits of its collective bargaining. bankrolled by the Koch brothers, the fretted about unions’ dogged defense even writing legislation (the American We are disappointed in this decision, but not DeVos family and other right-wing of their members’ pensions amid fiscal Legislative Exchange Council is part of surprised. This case was just the latest attack by billionaires committed to the destruc- austerity and about tenure and other the network). The same people who some of the wealthiest people in the country tion of labor unions and the privatiza- job securities for educators. According bankrolled the Janus and Friedrichs who see unions as a threat to their profits and tion of public institutions, particularly to Justice Alito, that too is political cases also helped the Trump adminis- control. Their slick marketing campaigns aim to education. speech that members should not be tration select Justice Neil Gorsuch, who convince the public that “right to work” laws are Mark Janus’s rise from humble forced to subsidize. tipped the balance against labor. about “freedom” to choose, but their true goal is public servant to pampered anti- It’s important to note that CSA to bankrupt unions and take away the power and union apparatchik mirrors the rewards n her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan has only a tiny number of agency fee voice of working people. bestowed on former public school denounced what she termed, “wea- payers, so the decision is not likely CSA will prevail. Our members are educated teacher Rebecca Friedrichs, whose Iponizing the First Amendment.” She to impact CSA as it goes about sup- thinkers who are fully aware that we will lose Friedrichs v. California Teachers said the majority also erred in pitching porting its members. CSA President a lot more than the price of our dues if these Association preceded the Janus case out more than four decades of prece- Mark Cannizzaro has long argued that efforts succeed at reducing our power at the bar- and failed only after the death of dent, which employers and employees members are educated and clear in gaining table. We know how important it is for each and every one of us to contribute our fair Justice Antonin Scalia. After her case had come to rely on in ordering their the knowledge that their union’s col- Continued on Page 8 concluded, Ms. Friedrichs landed a affairs. “The majority overthrows a lective bargaining has been crucial in share in order to ensure that we’re in a strong presumably well-paying berth with decision entrenched in this Nation’s securing the lifestyles and job security position when we renegotiate our contract next the State Policy Network, the mother law—and in its economic life—for they enjoy. (See our accompanying year. We know how important it is for our voice ship which funnels Koch and DeVos over 40 years,” she wrote. “As a result, statement issued the day the Janus to remain loud so that we can continue to fight money and policy agendas to state it prevents the American people, act- decision was handed down.) Continued on Page 4 346095_CSS_CSA News_r1.indd 1 8/24/18 6:55 AM 2 CSA NEWS Sept. 2018 Sept. 2018 CSA NEWS PRESIDENT’S PAGE CSA SCHOLARSHIPS If Done Well, Chancellor’s Award Winners: Dedication, Perseverance And Hard Work Council of School Plan Gives Us Hope BY SADE FRANCIS Supervisors & Administrators AND KHUSHI JAIN American Federation of School Administrators, AFL-CIO, Local 1 DOE Can’t Be Run from City Hall Or Tweed By Mark Cannizzaro Six years ago, CSA’s 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006 Phone: (212) 823-2020 leadership established Fax: (212) 962-6130 nother school year has begun, behind the curtain.” The executive superin- a college scholarship www.csa-nyc.org our new chancellor is now firmly tendents should have the authority to make fund for NYC public in place, and “hope springs eter- final decisions involving curriculum, bud- high school seniors. The President nal.” I find myself dreaming of get, human resources, evaluations, tenure, scholarship is intended Mark Cannizzaro an environment where the prin- enrollment and discipline. They should also for students who have Executive Vice President Acipal’s position will be highly sought-after have the final voice in budget appeals and shown leadership poten- Henry Rubio again. Chancellor Carranza has taken steps be able to waive policies that make your jobs tial, have overcome First Vice President that have potential and feedback from his harder. When you hear from the executive challenges to reach grad- Rosemarie Sinclair listening tour suggests that he is willing superintendent, you should know you’re uation and are in need Treasurer to take other steps forward. Still, at this hearing from the decision maker. When you of financial assistance to Christopher Ogno moment, the principal’s job certainly isn’t advocate for a position, you should know continue their education. Secretary coveted: Fewer APs are applying through that the person you are speaking with is Steffani Fanizzi The applicant’s charac- the C-30 process and principals are harder the one you need to convince. If it doesn’t ter, more than their GPA, Vice Presidents to keep. This state of affairs has set us on a go that way, the chancellor’s new structure Sam Akel is what is evaluated. Ramon Gonzalez potentially tragic course. will do no more than add another layer of Five awards are dis- Lois Lee According to many experts, the job of bureaucracy. tributed to graduating Nancy Russo, Retiree Chapter school principal is one of the toughest, Assuming this is done right, you should seniors who have been Executive Director Operations most stressful, and most important in the experience a lot less frustration. And, the accepted into a rec- Erminia Claudio nation. And considering the demands of the stage will be set to address other common ognized institution of General Counsel knowledge economy, the principal has never sense, long-standing issues.