News

A collection of news articles and press releases related to the UFT's legislative and political efforts.

Klein releases school budgets: May 19, 2009

On May 19, New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein released school budgets reflecting an average cut of roughly 5%. Citywide, the cuts total $405 million. Klein noted that city tax revenues are down, but added that federal economic stimulus funds are making the city’s situation more bearable and are helping to avert teacher layoffs. UFT President Randi Weingarten said that while the union will continue to seek budget restorations from the City Council, “we are still pleased to see that the mayor and the Department of Education have gone a long way to protect the classroom and maintain services for students in these difficult times.”

City agrees to long-overdue raise for child care providers: May 14, 2009

The city Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) announced on May 13 that after more than a year and a half of refusing to comply with federal regulations and state mandates, the city has agreed to pay the current market rate to New York City’s 28,000 home day care providers represented by the UFT. "The higher rate and retroactive payments will go a long way to help them continue providing care for more than 85,000 children from low-income families," said UFT President Randi Weingarten.

Mayor’s proposed budget avoids teacher layoffs: May 7, 2009

The good news in the proposed city budget is that there will be no teacher layoffs largely due to the federal stimulus money. The bad news is the union must still fight for city budget restorations.

Albany lawmakers reach deal to rescue MTA: May 6, 2009

Governor Paterson and the state Legislature reached an agreement on the night of May 5 on a deal to rescue the financially strapped MTA. The plan will raise fares an average 10 percent and will avoid service cuts and layoffs while also addressing the agency’s funding needs for the first two years of its capital plan. UFT President Randi Weingarten said the union was pleased with the resolution and recognized the governor and legislative leaders for "bringing all stakeholders together to find a viable solution to a very daunting challenge during these tough economic times."

State budget agreement averts cuts, layoffs: April 23, 2009

The state’s yawning $16 billion budget shortfall got filled in earlier this month when the state Legislature and the governor agreed to a $131.8 billion budget plan that takes maximum advantage of the federal stimulus package to avert school aid and other budget cuts and layoffs while increasing taxes on the wealthy.

1,500 UFT lobbyists tell legislators: ‘Invest in education’: April 2, 2009

The UFT’s annual Lobby Day drew 38 busloads of educators, parents and community supporters from all five boroughs to Albany on March 17 to lobby against cuts to schools and services. Hear what your fellow “lobbyists” had to say about the experience.

Strength in numbers: April 2, 2009

The largest delegation on hand for Lobby Day in Albany hailed from Brooklyn’s District 32. They shared camaraderie, perspectives and had some fun.

70,000 rally to protect communities: March 19, 2009

With upwards of 70,000 labor union members and community groups flooding lower Broadway on a frigid late afternoon on March 5, New York City showed once again that it is a town that cares.

City Hall turns into labor hall: March 19, 2009

In a broad show of solidarity, unions came together at City Hall on March 5 to protect families, children and communities from budget cuts.

Thousands of voices speak as one: March 19, 2009

A controlled seismic wave of UFT members joined by grassroots New Yorkers took lower Manhattan with a groundswell of solidarity on March 5 that the city hasn’t witnessed in a very long time.

Fighting the fiscal BLUES: Feb. 19, 2009

UFTers from the five boroughs supported the AFT’s “Fight For America’s Future: It’s Dollars and Sense” campaign by wearing blue on Unity Day both to school and to Washington, D.C., where many members lobbied Congress for the federal stimulus bill.

Weingarten praises Duncan as education secretary pick: Dec. 16, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama on Dec. 16 nominated Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools superintendent, as his secretary of education. AFT/UFT President Randi Weingarten said, "The education secretary should deeply value public education, understand what works for schools and students, and collaborate with teachers and other community partners to improve education for all children. Arne Duncan has exhibited these qualities in Chicago, and we look forward to being a partner in that collaborative process on a national scale."

Ripped-off’ providers rally for new market rate: Dec. 11, 2008

On a cold November evening, more than 800 New York City home-based child care providers turned up the heat in Harlem to demand an end to the city’s delay in paying them the higher wage approved by the state more than a year ago.

Election of Obama-Biden a victory for schools, teachers, working families: Nov 6, 2008

In his victory address on Chicago’s lakefront to more than 1 million cheering supporters, President-elect Barack Obama acknowledged “who this victory truly belongs to; it belongs to you. It was built by working men and women.”

Sen. Barack Obama's speech on education: Sept. 9, 2008

Senator Barack Obama unveiled a broad outline of how he would overhaul public education during a campaign stop in the battleground state of Ohio on Sept. 9. Stressing that the United States faces urgent challenges in preparing its students to compete in the global economy, Obama said, “Our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference,” and pledged to invest in early childhood education and address the shortcomings in No Child Left Behind.