In the days following UFT Lobby Day in Albany on March 10, scores of UFT chapters held virtual Lobby Days in their schools to urge state lawmakers in emails and social media posts to fix Tier 6, update the state’s Foundation Aid formula and enact other UFT legislative priorities.

Over the course of the week, UFT members sent nearly 3,000 emails to state elected officials asking them for their support.

At PS 279 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, Chapter Leader Elaine Haynesworth welcomed members to her school’s virtual Lobby Day with a colorful poster board that explained the issues and included a QR code to the email campaign. She served cupcakes with blue icing and “Happy Lobby Day” written on toothpick inserts.

“I wanted to make it celebratory,” Haynesworth said.

Nese Yilmaz, the chapter leader at PS 305 in Ridgewood, Queens, said members wore blue shirts to show their solidarity on her school’s virtual Lobby Day.

“They were very happy to get involved and show support for each other and fight for some changes to take place,” she said.

The chapter action team at Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education HS on Staten Island spoke with members about the issues — including the importance of CTE funding — and state budget negotiations during several sessions on their virtual Lobby Day, said Chapter Leader Charles Donohue.

He said a virtual Lobby Day for members who could not travel to Albany was a great way to amplify the union’s reach and impact.

“Together we have the ability to change the world,” Donohue said. “The time is now for us to stand together and be the difference.”