UFT Lobby Day 2017

March 27, 2017

UFT Lobby Day 2017

More than 800 UFT members boarded buses headed for Albany at dawn on March 27 to lobby state lawmakers for more public school funding, charter school accountability, an extended and enhanced millionaire's tax, support for Community Learning Schools and other important education initiatives.

Members from District 5 gather for a group photo before meeting with lawmakers on UFT Lobby Day in Albany on March 27.

Jonathan Fickies

Family child care providers Claudette Bart (left) and Melissa Reed, both Brooklyn borough chairs on the chapter executive board, look over material on the bus en route to Albany.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT President Michael Mulgrew fires up the crowd at the conference center.

Jonathan Fickies

Attendees give a standing ovation to New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Jonathan Fickies

District 75 members gather for a group shot.

Jonathan Fickies

Mayra Cruz looks on as Manhattan State Sen. Marisol Alcantara talks with members

UFT District 6 Representative Mayra Cruz (seated, second from right) looks on as Manhattan State Sen. Marisol Alcantara (seated, right) talks with member lobbyists.

Jonathan Fickies

Bronx State Sen. Gustavo Rivera answers Lobby Day attendees’ questions.

Jonathan Fickies

Assemblywoman Inez Dickens talks to Lobby Day participants

Harlem Assemblywoman Inez Dickens (seated, center) talks to Lobby Day participants with UFT District 5 Representative Zina Burton-Myrick (seated, right).

Jonathan Fickies

Nick Cruz has parents from his borough ready to meet with lawmakers.

Nick Cruz (right), the UFT’s Bronx community and parent liaison, has parents from his borough ready to meet with lawmakers.

Jonathan Fickies

Michael Benedetto shares a laugh with Alice Cooper Jackson

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (center) shares a laugh with UFT District 11 Representative Alice Cooper Jackson (second from left) and other District 11 members.

Jonathan Fickies

Members from Bronx high schools take a break from speaking with lawmakers to pose for a photo.

Jonathan Fickies

Brooklyn Assemblyman Félix Ortiz, the assistant speaker of the state Assembly

Brooklyn Assemblyman Félix Ortiz (right), the assistant speaker of the state Assembly, talks to UFT member lobbyists.

Jonathan Fickies

Bronx Assemblyman Victor Pichardo ddresses District 10 members

Bronx Assemblyman Victor Pichardo (foreground, right) addresses District 10 members’ questions about charter school accountability.

Jonathan Fickies

District 3 members get together for a photo with NYSUT's Andy Pallotta

District 3 members get together for a photo with NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta (back row, center) and UFT Manhattan Borough Representative Dwayne Clark (right) as the day winds down.

Jonathan Fickies

Queens chapter leaders teaming up to lobby lawmakers are (from left) Charles DiBenedetto of Richmond Hill HS, Kelly Ann Bellico, of John Adams HS and Linda Bell of Math and Science Research and Technology Magnet HS.

Jonathan Fickies

Members from District 5 gather for a group photo before meeting with lawmakers on UFT Lobby Day in Albany on March 27.

Jonathan Fickies

Family child care providers Claudette Bart (left) and Melissa Reed, both Brooklyn borough chairs on the chapter executive board, look over material on the bus en route to Albany.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT President Michael Mulgrew fires up the crowd at the conference center.

Jonathan Fickies

Attendees give a standing ovation to New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Jonathan Fickies

District 75 members gather for a group shot.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT District 6 Representative Mayra Cruz (seated, second from right) looks on as Manhattan State Sen. Marisol Alcantara (seated, right) talks with member lobbyists.

Jonathan Fickies

Bronx State Sen. Gustavo Rivera answers Lobby Day attendees’ questions.

Jonathan Fickies

Harlem Assemblywoman Inez Dickens (seated, center) talks to Lobby Day participants with UFT District 5 Representative Zina Burton-Myrick (seated, right).

Jonathan Fickies

Nick Cruz (right), the UFT’s Bronx community and parent liaison, has parents from his borough ready to meet with lawmakers.

Jonathan Fickies

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (center) shares a laugh with UFT District 11 Representative Alice Cooper Jackson (second from left) and other District 11 members.

Jonathan Fickies

Members from Bronx high schools take a break from speaking with lawmakers to pose for a photo.

Jonathan Fickies

Brooklyn Assemblyman Félix Ortiz (right), the assistant speaker of the state Assembly, talks to UFT member lobbyists.

Jonathan Fickies

Bronx Assemblyman Victor Pichardo (foreground, right) addresses District 10 members’ questions about charter school accountability.

Jonathan Fickies

District 3 members get together for a photo with NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta (back row, center) and UFT Manhattan Borough Representative Dwayne Clark (right) as the day winds down.

Jonathan Fickies