NYC Educator: Is UFT's Delegate Assembly a Forum for Candidates' Debate?

NYC Educator: Is UFT's Delegate Assembly a Forum for Candidates' Debate?:

Is UFT's Delegate Assembly a Forum for Candidates' Debate?

by NYC Educator

There's a small ruckus on the MORE blog about whether or not UFT President Mike Mulgrew should debate his sole opponent, Julie Cavanagh. While the respondents are often more civil than the juvenile ravings that haunt the ICE blog, their arguments are bizarre, to say the least. As it happens, candidate Julie Cavanagh has an infant son, and the best argument they can seem to muster against her is that she doesn't attend the DA frequently enough.

The implication that she would neglect her duties, as a result, is beyond offensive. With all due respect, Mulgrew is not a full-time teacher. It is one of his primary responsibilities to conduct the DA. Cavanagh's primary responsibility is to teach her classes. If she couldn't be bothered doing that, we might have something to discuss. Or we might not. But to expect a young mother to teach a full day, tend to her infant child, and travel to meetings without fail is ridiculous at least, and misogynist at worst. 

When I go to the DA, I'm often amazed by what I see. I've watched Mike Mulgrew explain how we needed to