UFT Lobby Day 2026
About 1,000 UFT members, parents and advocates traveled to Albany on March 16 to lobby state legislators on key issues for the union. Members demanded that lawmakers Fix Tier 6 of the state pension system and reduce the retirement age to 55. They asked legislators to increase compensation for family child care providers and provide adequate state aid to city schools. Members also made their views known to lawmakers remotely via virtual Lobby Day activities during the week of March 16.
Members from District 15 in Brooklyn are ready to make some noise about Tier 6 and other UFT priorities as they arrive in Albany.
In a clear sign that UFT members from District 28 in Queens are getting the job done in Albany, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (seated, center, holding sign) shows his support for fixing Tier 6.
Manhattan members (from left) Alysha Lewis, paraprofessional rep at New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math HS; Cindy Lerner, chapter leader at PS 315; Carmen Rosado, paraprofessional rep at MS 378; and Amanda Dutton, chapter leader at PS 134, are all smiles as they arrive in Albany.
Bronx high school and District 75 members show off their UFT “Fix Tier 6” swag as they travel to Albany aboard one of 28 buses provided by the UFT.
Bronx parents who joined UFT members in Albany make it plain about the importance of “making it 55” when it comes to Tier 6.
Staten Island members arrive at Empire State Plaza ready to press lawmakers in person to support UFT priorities.
“We’ve got work to do,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew says as he rallies members in Albany before they separate into groups to meet with lawmakers.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James receives loud applause when she voices strong support for reducing the retirement age for Tier 6 members from 63 to 55 with 30 years of service.
Members clap and cheer for Tier 6 reform and other legislative changes as they fill the hall at Albany’s Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Members from Districts 14 and 32 in Brooklyn discuss fixing Tier 6 and other issues as they meet with state Assembly Member Maritza Davila (standing, right).
UFT Teacher Center members meet with a staffer for state Sen. Shelley Mayer (foreground, right) in the Legislative Office Building.
Members from District 16 in Brooklyn speak about union priorities with state Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman (standing, in red) in the Convention Center.
After sharing their concerns with state Assembly Member Ron Kim (standing, 4th from left), members from District 25 in Queens pose for a photo.
Members from Districts 1 and 2 in Manhattan meet with state Assembly Member Keith Powers in the Legislative Office Building.
Family child care providers seek an increase in pay and other reforms to the child care system as they lobby alongside their fellow UFT members in Albany.
Members from PS 45 on Staten Island celebrate the UFT’s 66th birthday while making their views known remotely during their virtual Lobby Day action.
Members from District 15 in Brooklyn are ready to make some noise about Tier 6 and other UFT priorities as they arrive in Albany.
In a clear sign that UFT members from District 28 in Queens are getting the job done in Albany, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (seated, center, holding sign) shows his support for fixing Tier 6.
Manhattan members (from left) Alysha Lewis, paraprofessional rep at New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math HS; Cindy Lerner, chapter leader at PS 315; Carmen Rosado, paraprofessional rep at MS 378; and Amanda Dutton, chapter leader at PS 134, are all smiles as they arrive in Albany.
Bronx high school and District 75 members show off their UFT “Fix Tier 6” swag as they travel to Albany aboard one of 28 buses provided by the UFT.
Bronx parents who joined UFT members in Albany make it plain about the importance of “making it 55” when it comes to Tier 6.
Staten Island members arrive at Empire State Plaza ready to press lawmakers in person to support UFT priorities.
“We’ve got work to do,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew says as he rallies members in Albany before they separate into groups to meet with lawmakers.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James receives loud applause when she voices strong support for reducing the retirement age for Tier 6 members from 63 to 55 with 30 years of service.
Members clap and cheer for Tier 6 reform and other legislative changes as they fill the hall at Albany’s Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Members from Districts 14 and 32 in Brooklyn discuss fixing Tier 6 and other issues as they meet with state Assembly Member Maritza Davila (standing, right).
UFT Teacher Center members meet with a staffer for state Sen. Shelley Mayer (foreground, right) in the Legislative Office Building.
Members from District 16 in Brooklyn speak about union priorities with state Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman (standing, in red) in the Convention Center.
After sharing their concerns with state Assembly Member Ron Kim (standing, 4th from left), members from District 25 in Queens pose for a photo.
Members from Districts 1 and 2 in Manhattan meet with state Assembly Member Keith Powers in the Legislative Office Building.
Family child care providers seek an increase in pay and other reforms to the child care system as they lobby alongside their fellow UFT members in Albany.
Members from PS 45 on Staten Island celebrate the UFT’s 66th birthday while making their views known remotely during their virtual Lobby Day action.