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UFT Resolutions

Resolution to use inclusive language that reflects the diverse job titles among UFT members

UFT Resolutions

WHEREAS, the United Federation of Teachers has since its founding more than 50 years ago grown to have a membership with an increasingly diverse set of job titles and duties; and

WHEREAS, the union’s approximately 200,000 members now include: teachers; family child-care providers; nurses; classroom paraprofessionals; school secretaries; guidance counselors; psychologists; social workers; school nurses; speech therapists; occupational and physical therapists; laboratory specialists; supervisors of nurses and therapists; hearing education service providers; school safety supervisors; administrative law judges; United Cerebral Palsy of NYC employees; professionals with a variety of other job titles; and retirees; and

WHEREAS, the union works hard every day to use all powers available to it in representing and furthering the interests of all of its members; and

WHEREAS, by using broad and inclusive language wherever possible to describe our membership, we demonstrate our pride that the UFT represents along with teachers many others who work every day to serve children and members of our society who are vulnerable or ill; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the UFT will remain mindful of the need to use inclusive and broad language whenever possible and appropriate in referring to its members; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT’s public communications and publicity efforts should, wherever possible and appropriate, use the word “members” instead of “teachers” in referring to the diverse membership of our union; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT’s members will be encouraged to use the word “members” instead of “teachers” when referring to the union’s membership.