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FOR THE RECORD FOR THE RECORD
Sources indicated the discussion didn't move far, in part because it's considered unlikely that the Legislature and Governor Pataki would look favorably on such an amendment, which Mayor Bloomberg has already indicated he would oppose. One of our sources tells us that after the meeting, a prominent labor leader who was not in attendance argued that such a bill could actually be bad for business. The unidentified leader was said to have remarked that if employees were given automatic cost-of-living adjustments, "Why would they need unions?" The logic behind such thinking put us in mind of Mel Brooks as Governor William J. LePetomane in "Blazing Saddles" proclaiming, "We've gotta protect our phony-baloney jobs." But it also struck us as flawed; while wage contracts are often the determining factor in whether union leaders are re-elected, the better ones are providing far more than negotiating skills to their rank and files. Calls to a half-dozen key union officials produced just two responses, but both seconded the notion that the job of a union goes far beyond the bargaining table. Peter McNally, the first vice president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, said, "We also have to make sure there are fair labor practices and that our contracts are enforced." Even in the context of contract talks, he pointed out, "We're not only bargaining for wages but also working conditions, health care, professional development. There are many reasons employees need unions besides collective bargaining." Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. McNally's counterpart at Communications Workers of America Local 1180, Bill Henning. Mr. Henning said he was pessimistic Ms. Weingarten's idea would become reality "while we have this Legislature," but that it nonetheless was a useful proposal. "I think far from rendering unions obsolete, it builds a platform from which we can do more," Mr. Henning said. "We've also heard that if we have national health insurance, that's going to make unions unnecessary. But anything that helps workers - whether it's on health and safety or wages - helps unions." *** Things have gotten so contentious between "20/20" reporter John Stossel and the United Federation of Teachers, the two sides can't even agree to disagree. Mr. Stossel promised to teach in a city public school in response to a UFT protest of his January report on public schools, "Stupid in America," which the union believed was biased against Teachers. However, the UFT claims that Mr. Stossel made himself available for only one week in the remaining school term, and declined an offer to teach in September. His demand that a camera crew be allowed to film him teaching was also turned down by the Department of Education. "It didn't matter to Stossel that he was giving Teachers and the school just a few days notice," UFT President Randi Weingarten said in a letter to the New York Sun. "It didn't matter to Stossel that the school staff already had plans for the week of April 3 and, given the school-related activities of the weekend before, the teachers did not have time to prepare him ... It didn't matter to Stossel that the school wanted time to draft a teaching plan for Stossel that would benefit the students. They did not want a publicity stunt." Mr. Stossel offered this explanation: "When I turned out not to be easily intimidated, the Teachers' union and the government school monopoly folded." *** Former Bronx Community College President Roscoe C. Brown Jr. will be among those honored at the college's annual Hall of Fame Scholarship Gala June 7 at Gotham Hall in midtown. The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, dancing to live music, and the awards ceremony. For further information on tickets, call Danielle Jean-Marie at (718) 289-5973. |
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