There are two different types of delegates:
- Delegate to the delegate assembly – These delegates are elected at their school or work site or can be elected by the members of a functional chapter. Each chapter is entitled to one delegate for each sixty (60) members, or major fraction thereof. This means that they are entitled to a second delegate with 91 members and so on.
- Delegates to national conventions such as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and the National Association of Education (NEA) – these delegates are elected once every three (3) years and serve as representatives of members of the UFT to each convention listed.
Additionally, the delegate assembly meets once a month to discuss union policy at the UFT. It is comprised of chapter leaders and delegates from around the city.