Union eyes ‘voucher’ fight
At the June 10 Delegate Assembly, UFT President Michael Mulgrew lauded the union’s successes this school year, including Tier 6 reform, while girding members for a looming fight ahead — a veritable school voucher program disguised as a federal tax credit opportunity.
Tucked into the “Big Beautiful Bill” Congress passed last summer is a measure that allows taxpayers in participating states to get dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donating up to $1,700 to educational institutions — including public schools. However, he said, tax credits tend to be increased over time, resulting in an additional burden on states providing the credits.
Governors have to opt into the program, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she supports any tax break that helps the middle class.
However, the law, set to take effect in 2027, amounts “to a huge giveaway to more affluent families” who may be more interested in tax credits over how to pay basic expenses like grocery bills, said Mulgrew.
NYSUT and other state federations in the American Federation of Teachers have agreed to sign on to a letter to all Democratic governors in the country to ask them to oppose the program, he said.
While acknowledging the battle ahead, Mulgrew told union members they could be pleased about the progress the union gained on a number of fronts.
The union made a significant step forward in fixing Tier 6 by securing a state budget deal that reduced the retirement age without a pension reduction from 63 to 58 after 30 years of service, Mulgrew said. Knocking off five years will save people up to $9,000 a year in pension contributions, or up to $45,000 over the five years.
“We are not done,” Mulgrew acknowledged. “We have to get to 55, we have to get to lowering contributions. But we can pat ourselves on the back and move forward.”
The state budget also updated the state Foundation Aid formula to add additional weights for English language learners and unhoused students, resulting in more money in the budget for New York City schools. It also included significant funding for United Community Schools and the UFT Teacher Center.
Mulgrew also said there was progress regarding the paraprofessional RESPECT check legislation before the City Council. He noted that earlier in the day, Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro and other UFT leaders testified at the final City Council budget hearing. “There is movement in the process of getting it done,” Mulgrew said. “The costing process is almost done, but the pressure has to remain.”
The City Council must complete its budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year by June 30.
On what was the last DA of the 2025–26 school year, Mulgrew thanked members for their activism and highlighted the UFT’s dogged negotiation and advocacy behind every win.
To that end, Mulgrew also reported that the Negotiating Committee is being set up to prepare for bargaining for the next DOE-UFT contract in 2027. With nearly 700 members, it will be the largest Negotiating Committee in the union’s history. On June 24, the members will meet virtually for a welcome meeting. In the fall, the committee will send out a survey to all members to find out what their priorities are. The No. 1 issue is expected to be money, he said.
Overall, the UFT is going to refuse any givebacks in negotiations, Mulgrew said. “The only changes we want are positive changes.”