Dear Paraprofessionals,
Thank you for your work in support of the UFT throughout the past year. We have been successful on a number of fronts, including winning a 7.1 percent pay raise, the first installment of which paraprofessionals will start to get next fall. And, we reached an agreement with the mayor and chancellor addressing our most troubling concerns about the latest reorganization of city schools, including changes in a new school funding formula that we believe will not disrupt stable schools and will protect members with higher salaries.
We postponed our May rally protesting the reorganization because of the agreement, but we’re going to hold their feet to the fire to make sure they follow through; otherwise, we can still stage an even bigger protest.
In response to your concerns and those of parents, the city agreed to give our members a voice in major policy decisions through several new central committees and revitalized School Leadership Teams.
Paras, you must get involved in school-wide committees wherever possible because that is the way to get our voices heard on issues that affect our working lives. It is important that we work as para-teacher teams. It’s about teamwork now! And we are pushing to get paras involved in training with new teachers at the UFT.
The reorganization will also give principals sole responsibility for hiring. So if you’re looking for a summer job, or planning to transfer, log onto the Department of Education Web site (see “Open Market”) and check with the principal of the school to which you apply.
Do let us know if you run into any snags navigating the new Open Market
Transfer process, as the union is scrutinizing this activity to see what
effect the reorganization may have on your right to transfer.
In Solidarity,
Shelvy Young Abrams