Charter’s board ‘proud to work with UFT’

Two months after publicly announcing their intention to join the UFT as a new collective bargaining unit, teachers at the Bronx Academy of Promise in late May received voluntary recognition of their union from the school’s board.

In the release, board chairman Rev. Michael Carrion described the move as “a breakthrough for the school and for the New York City charter community.

“We are proud to work as partners with the UFT to create the best possible learning environment for our students, and the best workplace for our teachers and staff,” he said.

UFT Vice President Leo Casey praised the board’s decision and said that the union also looks forward to a collaborative relationship, especially in the face of potential budget cuts.

“Now more than ever we all need to work together, as we are at Bronx Academy, to strengthen the system and preserve funding for all students and teachers,” Casey said.

Teachers at the South Bronx school declared their intention to join the UFT on March 12 after a month-long organizing drive during which all 22 teaching and professional staff members signed union authorization cards.

Their victory in the fight for union recognition followed closely on the heels of April’s voluntary recognition of UFT representation for educators at the NYC Charter High School for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries, also in the Bronx.