UFT hosts "Teach-ins" for educators to galvanize union membership for contract negotiations

The UFT's 1,600 school-based union leaders held "teach-ins" across the city this week to engage educators in upcoming contract negotiations. The sessions—held before and after school or during staff breaks starting Oct. 28—are the next step in the union's efforts to negotiate a new contract. The current pact expires Nov. 28, 2027. 

Educators from all five boroughs are available to speak to the press. 

Over the summer, the UFT formed a 725-member volunteer negotiations committee, tasked with setting pay and workplace priorities for the 48 job titles represented by the UFT in 12 distinct contracts with the city's Department of Education.

"We are proud that with each contract, more members want to be part of the negotiating committee. Our collective voice is our power. It fuels our ability to gain a fair contract," said Michael Mulgrew, president of the 200,000-member United Federation of Teachers. 

After the "teach-ins," all UFT members employed by the city's Department of Education will receive a UFT survey starting Nov. 2. The survey responses will help set bargaining priorities for each job title, including teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, school secretaries, occupational and physical therapists and school counselors. The results guide the negotiating committee's work.

Seth Gilman, a dean at the High School for Teaching and the Professions at the Walton Campus in the Bronx, said being part of the negotiating committee for the last contract prompted him to volunteer for the 2026-27 negotiations committee.

"We are the union, and this is an opportunity to speak up on behalf of our colleagues, to fight for the changes and priorities that we want," said Gilman. "Sitting across the table from the city, it can be eye-opening, and, quite rewarding."