Fix Retiree Benefits (FRB) Proposed Forming a Joint RTC Slate with the Retiree Advocate (RA) Caucus to Run in the 2027 UFT Retired Teacher Chapter Election.
We originally made that offer in writing in April and in two in-person meetings with Retiree Advocate representatives, but the RA representatives cancelled additional meetings, and never responded to our proposal.
We know that many RA and FRB members want there to be a unified joint slate in next year’s Retired Teacher Chapter election.
We proposed a joint platform committed to policies that the large majority of the members of our chapter agree with:
1. Protect our promised retiree healthcare. We must unite with other municipal union retirees, and work in solidarity with the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees and its leader Marianne Pizzitola in the fight to pass City Council Intro 1008.
2. Fight to eliminate the onerous and coercive copays. Improve retiree UFT Welfare Fund benefits. Provide drug coverage for retirees and their dependents, as in all other municipal unions, and improve dental coverage.
3. Protect our pension benefits. Do not let the city balance its budget on the backs of retirees. Fight in the State to increase COLAs. Enable retirees to vote for TRS teacher trustees.
4. Oppose Unity Caucus leadership, when they pit active members against retirees or engage in undemocratic or other actions that cause harm to the membership.
We wish to run a democratic RTC, accountable to all its constituents, Medicare and pre-Medicare, inclusive of paraprofessionals and all other titles.
Fix Retiree Benefits proposed the following governing structure for the joint slate:
Each group (RA and FRB) would each nominate 150 of the chapter’s 300 delegates.
Each group (RA and FRB) would equally share the 10 officer positions (5 each).
Each group (RA and FRB) would share the 15 Executive Board positions, with the group nominating the chapter leader candidate choosing 7 of the 15 members of the Exec Board, and the other group choosing 8 members.
In response to our proposals in May, RA representatives told us they had no authority to agree to anything until they consulted their organizing and membership committees, and could not give us a timeline.
They offered no proposals of their own, but said they would present ours to their membership. They cancelled a late June meeting. We respected their internal process, and we began the process of organizing for the election, while leaving the door open to working together.
They never responded to us, but recently published a proposal for people to join them in what they call an “Open Election” campaign, with no mention of Fix Retiree Benefits or working with other retiree groups.
In its proposal, RA declared it is looking for candidates, to be vetted by a committee to be formed specifically for that purpose. They provided no details on the makeup of the committee or how it would be formed. It said candidates would “Actively promote respectful discourse in person and on social media platforms.” Evidently the same committee would determine who and what is and is not respectful.
Of course, RA is free to do as it wishes. If they choose not to include FRB in decision-making, that is their right.
To be absolutely clear, Fix Retiree Benefits is committed to running a chapter election slate with or without RA. We will win the votes of our members for a chapter leadership that is democratic, respects its members and will not hesitate to stand up and fight for their interests -- against the City and the UFT leadership when necessary.
We encourage RA members, and everyone who wants to see a united slate, to lend their voice to convince the RA leadership to support a joint Retiree Advocate/Fix Retiree Benefits slate in the chapter election in a manner equitable to all.
We are optimistic that we will defeat the Unity retiree candidates who fought to put us in Medicare Advantage when they were in charge of the RTC -- the reason they lost the last election by nearly a 2-1 margin. We will run to win the election and give a voice to the membership to actively fight both the City and UFT leadership to protect our benefits.
For more information on Fix Retiree Benefits:
https://fixretireebenefits.org
To get involved in Fix Retiree Benefits:
https://forms.gle/c9SPC6ziMnW95S238
To email Fix Retiree Benefits:
info@fixretireebenefits.org
I agree that both should join forces. We need a strong presence in order to be heard. RA can not do it alone. I have watched it have difficulty since the last election. With FRBand RA the group can be heard by both retirees and future retirees who will then know (together) we are fighting for their future security.
I support your proposals and hope these two retiree organizations can find a way to work with each other. We need to unify. We can win when we join forces.