Timeline of UFT rights

Duty-free lunch

A teacher teaching kids kids in 1962.

Imagine being a teacher who has finally had the chance to sit down to eat lunch — only to be interrupted by a disruption in the cafeteria or a child needing supervision. Once upon a time, a “lunch break” was never truly a break — teachers were expected to monitor students while trying to eat their own meals. The UFT’s 1962–63 contract, which followed a contentious strike by UFT members, secured elementary school teachers the right to a duty-free lunch, giving them a real opportunity to rest and recharge. The 1963–65 contract extended the right to junior high schools.

Defined workdays

Prior to the early 1960s, teachers were expected to take on additional responsibilities without additional compensation or enough time during the workday to prepare. They had little control over their schedules and were often assigned tasks unrelated to teaching, leaving them exhausted and struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This was the daily reality for many educators before improvements were made to working conditions. Beginning in 1965, Department of Education-UFT contracts established a defined workday that clearly outlined teachers’ required work hours and professional responsibilities. These provisions today continue to protect educators from being required to work beyond their contractual day without compensation and provide greater work-life balance and time to effectively plan and teach.

Paraprofessionals release time/career training development

A young paraprofessional gets career training development in 1970.

In 1970, as part of the first collective bargaining agreement between the DOE and the UFT for paraprofessionals, members gained the right to take part in the UFT’s Career Training Program and to paid release time to travel from their school buildings to college campuses or to take time to study. The agreement made it easier for paraprofessionals to be able to advance their careers while continuing to work and receive their salary. As part of the program, the city DOE funds up to 18 college credits a year.

Lesson plan collection

Prior to 1990, supervisors collected teachers’ lesson plans weekly, and some even mandated the specific elements of the plan, including the type of paper to be used. Since 1990, the DOE-UFT teachers’ contract has affirmed that the organization, format, notation and other physical aspects of lesson plans are all up to the teacher.

OT/PT additional compensation for time worked during summer

The 2003–07 contract reduced the program for occupational and physical therapists from 12 months to 10 months. The change took effect in 2005–06, and OT and PT professionals received additional compensation for any time worked during summer. Before this, OTs and PTs faced the challenge of working beyond their regular school-year responsibilities without additional pay. The additional compensation benefit helped ensure that their time and dedication to students were recognized and compensated.

Paid parental leave

Members cheer for paid parental leave.

For years, educators who planned to welcome a new bundle of joy had to carefully count and save their CAR days as that was the only way they could have paid time to welcome a new child. The only option for those without CAR days was to go without pay during that time. In 2018, thanks to a public campaign by thousands of union members, the city agreed to provide six weeks of paid time off for parents. The UFT was the first city union to negotiate paid parental leave, a landmark benefit that provides families with greater financial stability and time during an important life transition.

Paraprofessional due process

For years, paraprofessionals could be suspended without pay for long periods of time while cases were being investigated. A 2018 agreement between the DOE and UFT changed the landscape by giving paraprofessionals stronger due-process protection. Having due-process protection means paraprofessionals cannot be unfairly disciplined or suddenly lose their pay without proper investigation and a fair review.

‘Four-in-a-row’ protections for elementary school teachers

Managing elementary school-age students often requires intense, continuous focus. Prior to the 2022–27 DOE-UFT contract, elementary school teachers — unlike their middle and high school counterparts — faced exhaustingly long blocks of four or more teaching periods with no prep or break. As part of the 2022–27 contract, elementary school teachers won the contractual right to have no more than three consecutive teaching assignments and no more than four consecutive working assignments (including professional activities) in their programs wherever administratively possible.

Retention bonuses

Members protesting for the right to annual retention bonuses in 2023.

Educators serve the public’s interest, often with modest pay. Inflation and high housing costs can make everyday life a challenge for New York City public school staff. The UFT stood up for members and said their loyalty and service to the city must be rewarded. In the 2022–27 DOE-UFT contract, members won the right to annual retention bonuses, securing a level of financial relief outside their traditional salary schedules.