Report om Anti-MCAS Work

Report om Anti-MCAS Work

The recent anti-MCAS work began in 2022. There was a rally in Worcester, August  2022.

The WEJA organizers almost called the rally off,  as they did not think there were enough people. We in PLP convinced them that there were enough people and we would lose credbility should the rally be cancelled. We held PLP sign.

WEJA drifted away from the issue. MTA, MAJA, and Statewide Coalition continued. 

During this period we worked on racism at City Hall. There was no written policy for filing discrimination complaints. The established a policy in December 2022. 

After discussions in January of 2023 PLP joined the Statewide Coalition against the MCAS.  . We began to work on a forum. The forum was held in April 2023. The MTA and Nelly helped with the forum.

In June 2023 we joined with the EAW(MTA) rally for a fair contract. The union bosses are misleading the EAW teachers and paraprofessionals by saying the anti-MCAS efforts are secondary to the contract. This is wrong as Milt Rosen had once said the main contradiction is between the students and the bosses. Fighting racism and hlping students strengthen the union. We made contact with one teacher who is on the End.MCAS.Coalition mailing list.

In June we started a letter writing campaign to the State Reps and Senators. This was a  way to involve the base and put some pressure on the bosses. Sally played an important role.  Not surprisingly not one State REp or Senator from the Worcester area responded. 

Other activities  on the issue was fliering  a Conference at Clark University and at three electorial forums at which were progressive people.

We petitioned the City Copucil to pass a resulation to end MCAS HS graduation requirement.  Surprisingly the resolution was passed unamiously.

 IS HE THE ONE?

 

   

Since chattel slavery  and now in the age of Systemic Racism, our communities have searched for the Black Messiah. 

    Eric Batista is a Btown man from Puerto Rico. Is he the one who can lead the City of Worcester away from Systemic Discrimination?  He has been appointed  the chief executive officer of the City, the City Manager. 

    Mr. Batista had a dubious start. He was in charge of  the task force regarding police in the Worcester Public Schools.  The task force was not opened to the public. I complained, but Mr. Batista did not respond. 

    When going from Assistant City Manager to City Manager, Mr. Batista inherited several systemic discrimination issues. He discussed the issues at a December 14, 2022 public meeting. Members of Mass. Human Rights and Progressive Labor Party attendeed.

    The first was the implementation of the body cam ordinance which the police union is still resisting

    The second is the duties of the Diversity Officer. The three previous people holding that position quit abruptly. Mr. Batista said that he was restructuring the position. He has not given us any details.

    The third issue is how to file a complaint against the City. It used to be that the Worcester Human Rights Commission took complaints against the City, including complaints against the Police Department. At this time the Worcester Human Rights Commission cannot  take any complaint.

Mr. Batista has indicated that the Worcester  Human Resources Division now takes complainsts against the City. He said it has an Investigation Department. The City has not yet publicized this procedure for complaints

    Mr. Batista is no messiah. Let's hope he is competent, transparent , honest, and uncompromised.