UFT retirees in the Orlando, Florida, section are stepping up their political activism under the leadership of a former Bronx chapter leader.

Due to renovations, the Florida RTC office will be closed from Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, to Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2020.

The UFT selected eight teachers from hundreds of applicants to serve on its “Listen Up: The reality is…” panel on April 14 at union headquarters in Manhattan. The panelist were invited to tell education policymakers what their students – and public schools – need to recover and thrive after teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UFT members across the city wore orange on June 3, 2022, for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Educators gathered in person on April 9 for the first time in two years for the UFT Middle Schools Conference in Shanker Hall at UFT headquarters in Manhattan. They attended workshops on topics including wellness, social studies projects with Google Earth, integrated co-teaching and culturally responsive STEAM curriculum at the conference.

More than 1,400 recently retired teachers attended one of two New Retiree Luncheons at the New York Hilton Midtown to celebrate the new chapter in their lives. The Nov. 22 reception was for members who retired from September 2021-August 2022. The Nov. 29 luncheon was for members who retired from September 2019-August 2021, a time when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented large gatherings.

Whether through activities associated with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or Wear Pink days, UFT members across New York City have been front and center during October to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.