Latest News
New city health plan negotiated
The Municipal Labor Committee and the city reached a tentative agreement with EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare on Aug. 28 on a new health care plan for in‑service city workers, pre-Medicare city retirees and their families.
3,000 additional educators hired to reduce class size
As of Aug. 6, the DOE had hired more than 2,300 educators for the 3,700 open positions for class size reduction — about 62% of the need. The progress is significant, but the UFT notes that with hiring shortages throughout the city school system, the DOE needs to do more.
Cellphone ban takes effect
The new academic year marks the start of the statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones and any other internet-enabled electronic communication devices in schools. The UFT successfully fought for the restriction to help students focus.
AI academy launches
This summer, the AFT and the UFT announced a $23 million partnership with Microsoft, Open AI and Anthropic to forge a first-of-its-kind teacher institute for artificial intelligence: the National Academy for AI Instruction.
Student Services Managers for the 2025-26 School Year
You may find a list of student services managers arranged by district and superintendent here.
UFT demands Council speaker give 'RESPECT check' a hearing
The UFT has turned up the pressure on City Council leaders to bring the "RESPECT check" bill for paraprofessionals to a committee hearing and a vote. Forty-seven of 51 City Council members have co-sponsored the bill and more than 104,000 people have signed a petition in support of the legislation, but Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has not brought the bill to a committee hearing, which is a prerequisite for a vote.