Michael Mulgrew: “Shrewd Political Instincts and a Willingness to Pivot”

 The online daily news site, City and State has a lengthy essay in praise of  Michael Mulgrew,

Mulgtrew isn’t afraid to pivot … in his decade and a half atop one of the city’s most influential public unions, Mulgrew has displayed shrewd political instincts and a willingness to pivot to that he’s positioned between his members’ interests and external political demands. His political flexibility has enabled him to almost always come out on top when it comes to the most contentious issues facing his members, from the pitched battle between retirees and the city over Medicare Advantage plans to the ongoing debate over congestion pricing. 

“Shrewd political instincts” is the polite way of describing the ability to whisper in the right ears in Albany and City Hall. A few examples,

For decades PERB regulations, “pattern bargaining,” the costs of municipal labor contracts must be equivalent, preventing the UFT from negotiating lowering class size. In the final days of the 2022 legislative session, called the “Big Ugly”, among the avalanche of bills was a Class Size Reduction Bill, and key legislators navigated the bill to passage. Mulgrew and his team knew in which ears to whisper. Mayor Adams demanded Governor Hochul veto the bill, Hochul’s gubernatorial race was tight, she needed the teacher union endorsement, Hochul signed the bill, NYSUT endorsed Hochul and we are entering year three of the phase-in of the law .Finding the key legislators, quietly putting together the votes and playing the endorsement card was brilliant.

A year later Hochul “trades” Bloomberg, $5M for TV commercials to support her plan to be given the authority to override local zoning laws to build affordable housing in the suburbs for lifting the NYC cap charter schools in the budget. Bloomberg blames the UFT for thwarting his ill fated presidential run

.For three weeks the legislative leaders refused to pass the budget until Hochul restored the cap. Unheard of … How was Mulgrew able to convince the leadership?

Lifting the cap would have resulted in 100 more charter schools, 4000 fewer public school teachers and $100 M fewer public school dollars.

The 23-24 school year Adams began by announcing dramatic cuts in school funding. Mulgrew put together a wide coalition of advocates and the June budget: no education cuts.

Mulgrew never attacked the governor, “agreeing to disagree,” is an essential trait. The battle over Foundation Aid will be rambunctious, to the extent possible we have to have the governor on our side.

Adams is the mayor until 12/31/25, there is nothing to be gained by attacking him,  the UFT endorsement process will be inclusive, as it was four years ago, probably webcast interviews, lots of membership input, and, Ranked Choice Voting, will there be an outstanding candidate? Should we make an endorsement? The NYTimes is not making any endorsement.

And, of course, the presidential election:  results will impact the future of public education.

I fear throwing barbs at Mulgrew is not productive, for example urging the union to endorse the NYS Health Bill without a full public discussion is not fruitful, as I have argued “agreeing to disagree” on some issues and working together on others can be productive, currently some caucuses are in the “win at all costs” phase.

Let’s put everything aside and concentrate on the presidential and congressional races, donate time and dollars, tempus fugit,