As a member, you have access to valuable benefits and rights to a voice in your professional life that nonmembers don’t have. You can participate in money-saving group insurance plans and low-cost legal and financial service plans and you can get discounts on travel, entertainment and sports events. You’ll also receive a copy of the New York Teacher to stay informed on developments in the city’s public schools that affect you.
Most of all, as a member you have the right to play an important role in your union and its actions and policies. You will be able to vote in union elections and help choose the UFT’s leadership team in your school and citywide. Only members may vote. Every three years you can help elect a chapter leader in your school to be your union representative. The chapter leader has a critical role in enforcing your rights, representing your concerns to the principal and helping you access the services you need. You can even run to be chapter leader yourself, or to represent your school’s members as a delegate to the Delegate Assembly, where decisions about the union’s direction are made.
See more information about new member benefits and learn how to join the UFT.