Frequently Asked Questions

Category

How do I stop receiving UFT text messages?

Posted Apr 15, 2013 | Category: Text Message Help | Rating:

You can unsubscribe from UFT text messages at any time. Simply text the word “STOP” to 99000.

Note: If you are a chapter leader, you must speak with your district representative before you can unsubscribe from UFT text messages.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

What information does the UFT send by text message?

Posted Apr 15, 2013 | Category: Text Message Help | Rating:

The UFT sends text message alerts about weather emergencies and other urgent information; reminders about rallies, other union actions and elections; updates on contract negotiations and other vital news; and invitations to important union events.

UFT text messages are occasional — we won't inundate your cell phone — and we will continue to send information to members by email.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

How do I sign up for UFT text messages?

Posted Apr 15, 2013 | Category: Text Message Help | Rating:

Simply fill out the online form at www.uft.org/text.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

How many days notice do I have to give if I’m planning to resign?

Posted Apr 26, 2012 | Category: Resignation | Rating:

We recommend you first contact your UFT borough office and speak with a UFT representative before you resign. You must give 30 calendar days notice in order to resign.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

Is there paperwork I need to fill out or any procedures I need to know about for my resignation?

Posted Apr 26, 2012 | Category: Resignation | Rating:

There is no official paperwork. You must write a letter — preferably an email because that has a date stamp — to your principal stating the day your resignation will be effective, which should be 30 calendar days from the date of your letter. For example, if you wish to resign on Sept. 4, you must send your email/letter postmarked Aug. 4. Your letter should clearly state the day that your resignation is effective. Resignations cannot be made effective during a break. Be aware that you won’t...

Posted Apr 26, 2012 | Category: Resignation | Rating:

You can apply for COBRA and pay a monthly fee to maintain your Department of Education health insurance and UFT Welfare Fund health benefits for up to 36 months.

More information can be found in this Know your benefits column on COBRA.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

How do I rescind my resignation?

Posted Apr 26, 2012 | Category: Resignation | Rating:

You have to find a new position in order to rescind your resignation, and you must be cleared by the Department of Education’s Office of Personnel Investigation.

There is a DOE Application for Withdrawal of Resignation/Retirement, which must be filled out fully. Read this four-page document carefully for complete instructions and fill it out to rescind your resignation or retirement.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

Having trouble logging in?

Posted Feb 29, 2012 | Category: Website Help | Rating:

Forgot your UFT.org password? Reset it here.

Still having trouble logging in or signing up? Make sure you can receive UFT.org email messages.

Receiving and opening an email message from UFT.org is an important part of the sign-up and password-reset processes. If you're not receiving emails from us, it's possible that your email host is blocking UFT.org email messages or marking them as spam.

Once you have unblocked UFT.org...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

Learn to identify the signs of bed bugs (visit the Health Department’s website or call 311 for additional information). Frequently inspect your rooms; if you see signs of bed bugs, report them immediately. If you capture a suspected specimen, submit it to the DOE Pest Management Unit following the procedures outlined in the beginning of this kit. Check your furniture frequently for bed bugs, especially chairs and couches...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

Parents of students in the entire building must be notified if there is an infestation, according to state law. An infestation is identified by bed bug reproduction in a given area. A single confirmed bed bug does not constitute an infestation. A DOE Pest Management professional must inspect the school and determine whether there is an infestation. Schools are not a friendly environment for bed bugs and the chance of an infestation is low. If it is determined that your school is infested,...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

The DOE Pest Management professional will inspect and, if necessary, treat the room in which the specimen was captured. In most cases, a thorough inspection and vacuuming of the room with a HEPA vacuum by the Pest Management Unit professional is the best treatment when there is not an infestation. If the Pest Management Professional determines that there is an infestation (bed bugs living and reproducing in the room), the rooms above, below and adjacent to the infested room will be inspected...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

No. Bed bugs are not known to cause or transmit disease and the risk of person-to-person transference in school is very low. No child should be isolated or removed from a classroom setting. It is important to remember that bed bugs can resemble other insects and that many bed bugs submitted for identification are not, in fact, bed bugs.

To rate this Q&A, you must log in.

If we see or capture a suspected bed bug in a classroom, should we close the room until a Pest Management Professional inspects it?

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

No. If it is a bed bug, it is likely that it was unknowingly brought it into the school by someone who encountered it in another place. If you have captured it, you may have already eliminated the problem. Additionally, many suspected bed bugs are not bed bugs at all. You should send the captured specimen to the DOE Pest Management Unit for identification by following the protocol described in the DOE’s Bed...

What is Teacher's Choice?

Posted Jul 14, 2011 | Category: Teacher’s Choice | Rating:

Teacher’s Choice gives UFT members buying power. It is money provided in the budget by the New York City Council that reimburses eligible UFT members up to an allotted amount for the cost of supplementary supplies and materials that you buy to help you do your job. The program was suspended during the tight 2011-2012 budgetary year in order to avoid teacher layoffs. It has been restored for the 2012-2013 school year, but at a reduced level.

Posted Jul 14, 2011 | Category: Teacher’s Choice | Rating:

Teacher’s Choice allocations are not for basic supplies; your school should provide those. If that’s not the case, talk to your chapter leader. They are for special projects or enrichment materials for your classes. Sometimes a group of UFT members pool their money to buy equipment or other more expensive purchases for a grade or department. But this is purely voluntary; the choice is yours.