WHEREAS the United Federation of Teachers has been working under an expired contract with the Department of Education since Nov. 1, 2009 due to the Bloomberg administration’s refusal to negotiate fairly with the union for a new contract; and

WHEREAS as part of the process to win a fair contract, the union is winding up fact-finding before an independent labor relations panel, after which the panel will issue a nonbinding recommendation that could set the terms for a new contract; and

WHEREAS the UFT also expects negotiations for a new contract to progress further now that a new mayor, Bill de Blasio, is in office; and

WHEREAS the UFT will win a fair contract because of the determination of its members; and

WHEREAS engagement by our members will help to show the UFT’s strength and unity in the effort to win a fair contract; and

WHEREAS there will be many ways for members to participate, including coming to rallies, signing up to receive the union’s text and email updates about negotiations and reaching out to fellow UFT members; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the UFT calls on all of its members to commit to strong participation in this effort to win a just agreement; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT urges all members to ensure that they are signed up for texts and emails from the union so that they will receive updates on negotiations; and be it further

RESOLVED that UFT members educate fellow members about the important issues at stake in the new contract, including for fair pay, good working conditions and professional treatment on the job.