Why I’m Running with the ABC Slate
Migda Rodriguez, 1st Vice-Chair of the UFT Paraprofessional Chapter shares why she’s running with the A Better Contract slate
My name is Migda Rodriguez, a proud lifelong paraprofessional. I am also the elected 1st Vice Chair of the UFT Paraprofessional Chapter and I have chosen to run with the ABC slate because we stand for true union democracy, transparency, and accountability. Unlike UNITY, which thrives on silencing other opinions and ridiculing those who challenge them, ABC is committed to building a stronger, more responsive union that prioritizes its members over political games.
UNITY has a long history of mocking and discrediting anyone who dares to disagree with them. They label us as opposition, the enemy within, even unqualified and unprepared. They rely on personal, unprofessional, and often vile attacks instead of engaging in meaningful discussions. I have personally experienced this behavior, and now I see them using the same tactics against Amy Arundell. It is unacceptable. We are all dues-paying members, and we have the right to run for any union office where we feel we can make a positive change.
My experience with UNITY leadership and many of their cultlike followers has been nothing short of abusive. After my decisive win in the paraprofessional chapter election last year, UNITY leadership’s behavior toward me has been dismissive and hostile. They belittled my election win, made snide remarks, excluded me from staff meetings and the day-to-day function of the paraprofessional chapter, and questioned my advocacy for the very paraprofessionals who elected me. Even when I raised concerns with district representatives to ensure they were aware of the challenges our members faced, I was met with resistance and contempt.
The most horrible incident was when I was verbally attacked, and yelled at in a threatening manner. As a woman, as a union staffer, as an elected officer of the paraprofessional chapter, and simply as a human being, that kind of behavior is unacceptable. It goes against the very things that a union should uphold, respect, solidarity, and fairness.
UNITY has lost sight of what a union is truly about, its members. That is why I stand with ABC. We will build a stronger, more transparent union that answers to you. We will improve your working conditions, empower you as professionals, and defend public education against privatization and funding cuts. Most importantly, we will fight for the pay you deserve, pay that keeps up with the rising cost of living, while also protecting and improving your healthcare, pensions, and benefits.
In a democracy, if I run for a position and someone challenges me, it means I need to prove that I am truly serving the members who elected me. If I am doing my job effectively, I should have nothing to fear. That is the fundamental principle of leadership and accountability.
I am ready. The ABC slate is ready. Amy Arundell is ready. It is time for a change, a change that puts members first and ensures that our union works for us, not against us just because we disagree.
Flashback to Unity’s bullying campaign when she ran for the Fix Para Pay Slate:
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