Fixing Tier 6, increasing state funding for public schools and boosting pay for early childhood providers were among the top priorities as about 1,000 UFT members and parents traveled to Albany on March 16 for the union’s annual Lobby Day.

The Delegate Assembly by an 83 percent vote has endorsed UFT Assistant Treasurer Tom Brown for reelection as a teacher-member of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System Board. The election by in-service TRS members takes place May 13 at New York City public schools.

Members were the true MVPs as some 4,000 traveled to Albany's MVP Arena to rally in support of Tier 6 reform. The rally marked the culmination of the UFT’s monthslong “6” days campaign, an escalating series of member actions designed to raise awareness and pressure state lawmakers to address the grave “injustice” of Tier 6.

UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill was elected UFT secretary and elevated to director of staff. He replaces LeRoy Barr, who retired on Feb. 1.

Nurses at Staten Island University Hospital–South represented by the Federation of Nurses/UFT overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract on March 27 that raises salaries by a compounded 14 percent, preserves premium-free health care and increases staffing in key units.

The third annual retention bonus negotiated as part of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract will be paid in May. All UFT-represented employees who worked full-time during the 12 months leading up to April 1, 2026, will receive $1,000 as a supplemental check.