So I did. I oppose Friedrichs as much as anyone. If you're on Twitter, I encourage you to do the same. To me, it's anti-American to inhibit the organization of working people.
But Michael Mulgrew won't be tweeting these messages.
Why? It's because, despite his specifically encouraging all of us to engage on social media UFT President Michael Mulgrew is not on Twitter himself. Or Facebook. Or whatever. Mulgrew talks a big game, but doesn't want to spend time having to actually engage rank and file. For him, that's evidently too much to ask. And that's too bad, because even if we win Friedrichs, it will surely rear it's ugly head in some other form. That's how reforminess works. This is not remotely the sort of leader who will inspire people to contribute to union if they don't have to.
It reminds me of the politicians, like Cuomo, King, Duncan, Bloomberg, and Obama who put our kids through test-centered nonsense, but place their kids in private schools where that doesn't occur.
In fact, it's just another case of, "Do as I say, not as I do."
Dear Arthur,
This Monday, labor unions from around the country are gathering outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear opening arguments in a lawsuit that threatens the very fabric of our labor movement.
It’s urgent that the voices of union members are heard loud and clear on this important day when the case is in the public eye.
The Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association lawsuit is the latest attempt by billionaire right-wingers like the Koch brothers to destroy labor unions. We need to get the word out to our colleagues and to the general public about just how insidious this lawsuit is. These right-wingers have set out to torpedo the financial structure of public-sector unions.
If you are on Twitter, please help us get the truth out about Friedrichs by clicking through and sending these tweets now:
#Friedrichs is another attempt by right-wing billionaires to bust unions @amworkstogether
Tell @SCOTUS: #Friedrichs is bad for workers, bad for America @amworkstogether
Defend working people and public services – fight #Friedrichs! @amworkstogether
Hopeful #SCOTUS will see #Friedrichs for what it is: a deceptive attack on unions & labor. @amworkstogether
Public school educators stand united against the harmful #Friedrichs political agenda. @amworkstogether
Also, with Friedrichs in the news, let’s use the opportunity to educate our co-workers, friends, family and neighbors about what this lawsuit is really about and how important it is to belong to a union.
Want more information? We’ve compiled a reading list on Friedrichs on the UFT website.
Thank you for everything you do.
Sincerely,
Michael Mulgrew
United Federation of Teachers • A Union of Professionals
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 • 212.777.7500 • www.uft.org
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