An independent arbitrator has ruled that New York City teachers with certain documented medical conditions must be offered non-classroom assignments. Other staffers reluctant to take the vaccine must be offered either an unpaid leave that maintains their health coverage, or a severance package.

The city’s Department of Education has suddenly begun a “get-tough” policy refusing medical accommodations for teachers with serious illnesses, including those recovering from cancer or from organ transplants, UFT President Michael Mulgrew announced today.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew, greeting teachers today on the first day back to school for DOE employees, announced that the UFT had purchased 70 classroom carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors, giving UFT staffers the ability to independently check the carbon dioxide levels in occupied classrooms.

The United Federation of Teachers today charged that New York City’s recent unilateral imposition of a “no exceptions” COVID vaccine mandate for all educators violates federal and state law and the teachers’ contract.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement responding to the release of the DOE's Health and Safety plan which details its COVID-19 regulations and protocols for the 2021-22 school year. 

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement responding to the announcement that all DOE employees will be required to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 27.