Why I’m with Unity and Staying True

In 1997, I began my career as a new School Counselor at Grady CTE High School. I quickly discovered that CTE was an essential element of the Public High School division. I also realized the importance of advocacy for our students and UFT members. It was an exciting time in my career, and unionism became a significant part of how I navigated my profession.

As a member of the school’s UFT committee, I actively participated in the consultation process, giving voice to all our members, not just those who agreed with us. Unity was a powerful force that helped us accomplish our goals and improve our working conditions, both as a school community and as a caucus.

My mentors, Frank Carucci, CTE VP, and Judy Gerowitz, D21 DR, paved the way for my career as a unionist and advocate. Among my inspirations was a small but mighty female unionist who often spoke to us about the importance of understanding how the budget could be used to leverage our voices and provide a vehicle for member and student advocacy. She was spunky, and I aspired to be a strong female union activist like her.

Little did I know that unity and collaboration were not part of her worldview. She recently “jumped ship,” abandoning the UFT, Unity Caucus, and its members and activists. Her personal views have led her astray. Just because she has made a bad choice does not mean we should allow her decision to divide us and work against all the things that make our union and the Unity Caucus great.

Her disloyalty, packaged with her personal and political views, cannot compromise the work and progress our caucus has made, nor can it compromise the future work of our caucus on behalf of ALL our members. I thank those who came before me and value many of the lessons they taught me. However, I cannot value disloyalty, especially at a time when outside forces are trying to destroy us. They can try, but we won’t let them. This includes a slate that is anything but capable, anything but credible, and a bad choice.