Why I'm Voting Unity

Brooklyn Middle School Chapter Leader Kristin DeFendis recounts how her chapter organized against their abusive principal—and won!

Kristin is a Special Educator the Chapter Leader of MS 51 in Brooklyn.

Growing up as a fifth generation New Yorker, I dreamt of the days I'd call myself a civil servant with the city of New York. Coming from a long, familial line of civil servants, I proudly wear the badge of first teacher in my family.

While discussing the different career routes with those around me, I always knew I'd become a public school teacher. Almost always, the conversations heavily discussed the significance of union in each line of work. The thought of protected hours, fair wages, health benefits, in addition to overall support motivated me to work that much harder to become a New York City Public School Teacher.

In the last 12 years as an educator, 9 of those are with the NYC Department of Education full time, in addition to being a proud member of the UFT. In those 9 years, I worked in 2 schools where I often saw injustice against UFT members: disciplinary letters, discontinuances, retaliation... the list goes on. I voiced my concerns at my first school to a fellow colleague who was involved with the UFT. During this time, I became a member of the Unity Caucus in order to be involved with the union. I felt this caucus aligned with my original beliefs... Some time passed and I eventually left that school and district. When I found my home at MS 51 in Brooklyn, I felt as if I found my true home. When our beloved principal retired, in came a vindictive, capricious "leader" who was hell bent on destroying our beloved school. Staff gave him the benefit of the doubt, but the school was slowly going downhill. Once he told me "don't go to the union, come to me with issues," I began fostering a relationship with our chapter leader out of fear for this new principal. Over time, the changes came and went like hit and runs: major safety issues, derailed communication, children getting hurt daily; the list goes on.... I couldn't stand to see it anymore.

When our beloved chapter leader retired, I stepped up and into the role at nearly 9 months pregnant with my first child. I knew I had a long road ahead of me, but I was up for the challenge. During this time, we received unwavering support from the UFT, specifically members of the Unity Caucus. Was it scary? Of course. But without their strength, guidance, knowledge and support, the UFT members of MS 51 would be in a very different position today. We had successfully executed a vote of no confidence and the largest union animus grievance in the history of the UFT. After a year and a half of organizing and learning from our UFT colleagues, we finally saw an administrative change. Although this year and a half felt like forever, we all witnessed the processes a true union follows to better the lives of its members.

People are very quick to become angry and perpetuate misinformation about the Unity caucus. Unity has been supportive and has continued to fight for the rights of our members. Those quick to spread lies and spew misinformation are misguided and have their anger directed at the wrong group of people. Those who support Unity are individuals who embody the spirit of the unionized worker. Within this caucus, we have a strong, established leadership in addition to experience in fulfilling the needs of an educator at the union level. The consistency of support, resilience in fair policies, collaboration with all stakeholders are the backbone of Unity. From my own personal experience, the constant support and resources have meant the world to my members. It was always there. Coming through with information on our hard-earned contract, the regulations and grievances in a consistent manner played a key role in making a difference at MS 51 and I am beyond grateful as a chapter leader to have that within the caucus.

The most important aspect of the Unity Caucus is their constant efforts to collaborate with everyone. They are against division of members and promote the idea of a unification of all members. Check us out!