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I would give Lord Bloomberg nothing.  He would keep the money and cut teachers and firehouses anyway.

The MLC has every right to be cautious with this process. What this deal basically entails is that NYC municipal unions are “bailing” each other out from loosing jobs that the city wants to cut. The main point of all this is that for once, the unions should be calling the shots here. Since this deal entails the NYC public sector unions using their own funds to keep jobs, there should be no givebacks whatsoever to Bloomie. 

Why should the unions trust the Bloomberg Administration?  The teachers are working without a contract, there is a surplus, there is an attempt to destroy seniority (Due process), there is an attempt to renege on pension agreements and benefits.  If he wants the money, he should pay everything back within three years with at least 7% interest.
   

You make comments like; “I’d rather go through layoffs” because you are not going to be the one laid off. The only person that has posted that is in danger is Stevekteach. It is easy to tell Bloomberg to take a hike when your job is not in danger.

I would love to tell the mayor to take a hike but in the long run it is only going to hurt students and our fellow teachers. If the Unions say no they are cutting of the nose to spite the face.  

Indeed, you have an exceedingly valid concern, but I don’t think an “agreement” between the unions and Mr. Bloomberg will ascertain that you will be employed 2 months from now.  Given that Bloomberg has earmarked $550 million for education technology, one would think perhaps if he were so concerned about teachers jobs, he would show us that by reallocating those funds directly to the gainful employment of teachers.

When you are a new teacher you are at the bottom of your school and the system. It is terrible, but eventually you will get the years and you will be safer.   My first year I lost my job but eventually found one.  After that, the next eight years my job was threatened, but managed to keep it.  Some my friends lost their job for a year and came back.  It is a terrible feeling and experience, but we cannot sell out all teachers for the newer teachers.  You will appreciate it later.  I know it is just words but many of us have been there and know what it is like.

I think that there will be a big mess this summer but in the end, he can’t make these cuts.  I also think a lot of teachers will retire and leave.  This is all on Bloomberg. Good luck.

So why do you think the legislature would abolish LIFO?  They haven’t done it so far which is why we don’t have layoffs yet.  Once LIFO is abolished layoffs will begin in earnest, only they won’t be layoffs they will be firings.  Since the UFT has shown no backbone whatsoever in helping senior teachers the veteran teachers will be laid off en masse.  Think of all those home foreclosures, kids who will not be able to attend college, etc.  The majority of senior teachers make their home in the tristate area while the younger teachers are mostly from out of town and here for a short period of time.  The effects of laying off senior teachers will be felt throughout the New York economy.  Why would politicians do this for an extremely unpopular billionaire mayor?  He may have billions but he doesn’t have public support.