News

New federal funds, now being held up in Washington, are the only possible way New York City will be able to invest in the protective measures and staff required for schools to safely re-open in September — even on a limited basis.

After weeks of behind-the-scenes lobbying by the UFT and other public sector unions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on May 30 signed into law a new accidental death benefit for public employees who have died since March 1 and were diagnosed with COVID-19 within 45 days of their last day at work.

Facing a projected $7.4 billion budget gap caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed slashing $827 million from public schools through the next fiscal year.