

Feb. 14, 2018: Deadliest school shooting in U.S.
The deadliest school shooting in U.S. history claimed the lives of 14 students and three staff members on Feb. 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, Florida. Five weeks later, students nationwide walked out of classes to support the March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C., organized by Stoneman Douglas survivors.

Jan. 20, 2014: UFT nurses help typhoon victims
Seven years ago, two Federation of Nurses/UFT members who responded to the union’s appeal for medical volunteers, helped in the relief effort in the Philippines after a devastating typhoon.

Oct. 19, 2011: BRAVE program is founded
Bullying has no place in any child’s education. That was the inspiration behind the UFT’s creation in 2011 of the Building Respect, Acceptance and Voice through Education, or BRAVE, program to provide tools, knowledge and support in confronting bullying.

July 7, 2014: First PROSE schools announced
How can we promote and encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom?
That’s the question the union sought to answer six years ago when it negotiated, as part of the 2014 DOE-UFT contract, an initiative that rewards collaboration between educators and administrators as they seek new ways of approaching teaching and learning.

May 17, 2007: 12,000 family child care providers request UFT representation
Thirteen years ago, home-based child care providers marked a milestone in their campaign to join the UFT.

March 16, 1960: The UFT is founded
On March 16, 1960, members of the Teachers Guild voted to merge with the High School Teachers Association to form the United Federation of Teachers.

Jan. 18, 2012: The fight to save closing schools
The UFT went toe-to-toe with Mayor Mike Bloomberg in 2012 to save the jobs of its members in struggling schools. In a clear maneuver to get around the contract, the mayor vowed to “close” 33 low-performing schools, excess all the staff and make them reapply for their positions.

Dec. 8, 2009: UFT Launches Member Assistance Program
The UFT’s Member Assistance Program was launched on Dec. 8, 2009.

Nov. 7, 1960: Teachers strike
The newly formed United Federation of Teachers was demanding collective bargaining rights and Superintendent of Schools John Theobald’s response was that he did not bargain with his own family.

Aug. 31, 2014: Nearly 4,000 jobs saved
When nearly 4,000 paraprofessionals were threatened with termination in the spring of 2009 for failing to meet certification requirements, the UFT went into high gear to save their jobs.