To my union siblings...
There have been reported instances that administrators of a large popular Facebook group have been trying to suppress this post.
To my union siblings...
Most members have not had the opportunity to work with candidates on the ABC slate. I have, and it was deeply concerning.
When I was a chapter leader, I was truly inspired by Paul Egan and Amy Arundell. I was drawn to their enthusiasm and knowledge. I felt I had “found my people” and aspired to be what I believed them to be.
Amy Arundell recently wrote about the sexism, harassment, and bullying in the UFT. Never were these themes more pronounced than under the leadership of Paul Egan.
After working for Paul, I became increasingly offended by his lack of professionalism, harassing behaviors and abuses of power. After two years, I requested a transfer from his department. I never filed a formal complaint, because I did not believe I was a perfect victim and feared he would retaliate and attempt to discredit and humiliate me. Now, I feel there is too much at stake to stay silent. My hope is that any harm that I experience will be far less than the harm that would be done to our union under ABC leadership.
Paul Egan once said to me, in reference to me and a female colleague, “The way I am going to determine who my favorite is, is to have you both suck my dick and see who makes me cum first.”
Another time, he said, “I like your shirt, is my birthday present getting to take it off you later?”
Pervasive sexual harassment was not the only offensive aspect of working for Paul. He allowed and perpetuated exclusion and bullying behaviors. He created and encouraged a divisive work environment that became increasingly toxic. A colleague outside of the department helped me to see how destructive and unhealthy the environment was and encouraged me to be a better version of myself and eventually stand up to inappropriate behaviors. My efforts were met with a range of unprofessional responses from Paul ranging from the juvenile, “You should marry him,” after I defended a colleague, to more threatening, “No one in the department trusts you. You are martyring yourself for people who will never know, and you will never go anywhere in this organization.”
After I drafted and submitted the letter requesting not to work for Paul, the same colleague who had supported me and encouraged me to write it was approached by Amy Arundell. Amy asked this individual to distance himself from me and went so far as to ask him to not admit to witnessing or having knowledge of Paul’s inappropriate behaviors. This gutted me. Amy had been my role model. I aspired to be like her. While I did not expect her to speak out against her friend, I never anticipated she would attempt to strip me of my ally and my truth. It was unfathomable that she would insert herself into my story with the intent of discrediting and nullifying my experiences. It was a gross betrayal to me as a woman, as a colleague, and as a human being.
A year and a half later, Paul was removed from his position for actions against others that were consistent with my experiences. I do not know how many other women have endured what I have with Paul, but I want to prevent additional women from being victimized if he were to return to a leadership position.
People are better than their mistakes. I believe this to be true for myself, those I love, and those I do not care for. My account of experiences is not intended to demand a particular conclusion or response, but to inform and caution that what is being presented as an alternative to Unity that offers great principles, morality and progress, may be a very disappointing illusion.
I also do not seek to hide nor amplify my caucus affiliation. This is not about caucus; it is about character. Our union deserves better.
Sincerely,
Jamie Polzin