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The crocodile tears of PSC-CUNY’s “Incensed Six”

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A recent Chief article, “CUNY professors’ PSC claim dismissed; First Amendment suit followed union’s ‘Palestine’ resolution” (Dec. 9) reports on the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by six disgruntled former members of my union, the Professional Staff Congress. They sought to invalidate the portion of state labor law that mandates that workers — in this case, the faculty, staff and graduate student-workers of CUNY — choose a single bargaining agent to represent them against the employer.

So far, so good — the law is quite clear. These six had already voided their memberships; they are so-called “free riders,” receiving the benefits of the union’s advocacy and bargaining power without paying dues. If they wished, they also have the legal option of trying to convince the membership to “decertify” the PSC, choosing another union (or none) in its place, or changing state law to allow multiple unions. They have pursued neither of these avenues of redress.  

The article’s reportage, though, by quoting from their lawsuit and the judge’s decision, inadvertently seems to give some credence to their specious claim that the PSC has engaged in anti-Semitic speech. This is a gross falsehood. In fact, my union has worked hard to challenge and fight racism and discrimination of all sorts — including the form of racism and discrimination known as anti-Semitism.

My union has also tried to defend the human rights of all people  — all people, including Palestinians. It is this that these six incensed individuals are really angry about.

What does the resolution that so offends them actually say? That Israel engages in “state-supported displacement.” That this “practice of dispossession and expansion of settlements … has been found to be illegal under international law.” That the American labor movement has largely “fail[ed] to challenge the U.S. government’s support for Israeli expansionism.” And that, accordingly, “the PSC-CUNY facilitate discussions at the chapter level … to consider PSC support of the call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions” (my italics). The resolution also rightfully emphasizes, “that criticisms of Israel, a diverse nation-state, are not inherently anti-Semitic.”

So, actually, the actions of the “incensed six” are wholly based on the false claim that to criticize policies of the Israel government is anti-Semitism. They also are furious that a heterogeneous union in a heterogeneous university in a heterogeneous city might even “facilitate discussions” among its members about whether or not to support a particular policy.

Even as these “incensed six” demand an end to all discussions they personally don’t like, the PSC has bent over backward to allow them to express their views in multiple forums, giving them opportunities for speech they seek to deny to others.

So when our “incensed six” cry crocodile tears that they have been subjected to “opprobrium and hostility,” I suggest they look in the mirror more closely. After all, they are the ones spreading a lie about their union and encouraging others to void their memberships just as the PSC readies itself for bargaining a new contract. It’s no wonder a membership eager to build a strong fight for better wages, benefits, and job security might question their actions; whose side are they on?  

Marc Kagan is a PSC delegate and adjunct lecturer.

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  • agenack

    The PSC-CUNY’s resolution condemns Israel for “massacring Palestinians,” even ‎though Israel responded only after 1000 rockets were fired at its citizens from an ‎adversary that will accept no agreement that leaves Israel standing. The PSC resolution ‎gratuitously harms the faculty and students of CUNY, who need the broad support of the ‎citizens of New York to reverse the chronic underfunding of CUNY. ‎

    Monday, December 19, 2022 Report this