Cara Matthews

UFT members showed up in force for Teacher Union Day on Nov. 6 to recognize their colleagues' dedication to the union and to unite in solidarity to face the battles ahead.

Word of mouth is the reason many retirees find their way into the Manhattan Section's Si Beagle classes, which are offered online and in person, and again include “dine-arounds,” walking tours and museum trips.

For the first time since the pandemic began, retirees in September had the option of attending the RTC general membership meeting in person at UFT headquarters and are easing back into in-person events while keeping Zoom options open.

Chester “Chet” Edwards, a retired New York City public school teacher and decorated veteran, volunteers his time helping his fellow veterans return to civilian life after serving in the U.S. military.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew and UFT Manhattan Borough Representative Carl Cambria welcomed elected officials to a legislative reception on Oct. 6 at UFT headquarters.

A UFT team of about 40 people walked in Central Park on Oct. 23 to raise money for CaringKind, a group that provides care and support services for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 8 signed into law landmark legislation that will lower class sizes in New York City by a third over the next six years, closing a decades-long gap in class sizes between the city and the rest of the state.

The UFT chapter leader of Vision Education Services revamped the program's website for the Department of Education.

Thanks to the union’s advocacy, UFT-represented educators will be reimbursed for some out-of-pocket expenses through Teacher’s Choice at the same levels as the previous school year. Teachers will once again receive about $250.

The UFT, together with parents and education advocacy groups, spent the summer keeping the pressure on Mayor Eric Adams to reverse $469 million in school budget cuts for the coming year. But to everyone’s dismay, the school year is starting with the cuts still in place even though the mayor has $4.6 billion in federal education funds he has not spent and Albany has given New York City an unprecedented amount of school aid.