The concept of mayoral control of the New York City public schools is a good one. The city’s highest elected official should be held accountable for policies that affect more than 850,000 schoolchildren. But that doesn’t mean the mayor should have...

We thank those who preceded us and paved the way for us to celebrate our 63rd anniversary, knowing that the UFT has made unique and important contributions to public education, to the labor movement and to millions of people’s lives.

After years of advocacy by the UFT, paraprofessionals will be included in the Teacher’s Choice program for the first time this school year.


About 250 middle schoolers participated in music activities, all designed to encourage social-emotional learning, at the fifth annual Let's Talk About It event organized by the UFT's Member Assistance Program.

More than 50,000 graduate students and other student workers on 51 university campuses nationwide have formed unions since 2022, according to the National Labor Relations Board.


If you are eligible for IRMAA, now is the time to file it. Read for more details and important links.

Information about the Open Market Transfer plan, excessing, professional evaluations for school counselors, protecting students' personally identifiable information, social-emotional learning screeners and the 19th annual School Counselors Conference...

The Catastrophe Major Medical Plan, sponsored by NYSUT Member Benefits, offers additional coverage for expenses that a basic health plan might not. In-service members may enroll between Sept. 8 and Oct. 13, 2023.

Starbucks is using aggressive tactics to squash the efforts of workers seeking to unionize at the world’s largest coffeehouse chain.

Chapter leaders have taken the Delegate Assembly’s Fix Tier 6 presentation on the road. Chapter Leader Lillian Crespo at PS 216 in Brooklyn and her UFT district representative, Adam Shapiro, showed it to PS 216 members at a Jan. 22 chapter meeting. 


President Trump's executive order to end "radical indoctrination" is devoid of any compassion for the struggles of young people who are living or considering living as a person of the opposite gender. Nor does it acknowledge our role as educators in...

The UFT reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, unequivocally condemning all forms of discrimination and actively opposing any policies or rhetoric that diminish their rights or protections.

School safety is a prerequisite for teaching and learning. The UFT’s Safety and Health Department is dedicated to protecting all UFT members from safety threats that can confront them in schools. Here are answers to some of the most common questions...

Information about excessing, wage increases and bonuses, individual progress reports and school counselor evaluations.

Information about the tentative contract agreement, excessing, school-based options, performance reviews and the 20th annual UFT School Counselors Conference.

The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the UFT’s political action arm. Learn about its importance and how members can help support it in this Q&A.

An independent arbitrator has ordered the city to negotiate a new Medicare Advantage program with the Aetna insurance company in the next 25 days.

The UFT has joined with other unions and health care advocates in the Coalition for Affordable Hospitals. The coalition’s first action was to launch a petition calling on the heads of the five major hospital systems in New York City to agree to fair...

NYSUT recently announced a new open enrollment period for its Catastrophe Major Medical Plan that helps provide coverage for out-of-pocket medical expenses if you have a serious medical issue. New members can only enroll between Sept. 8 and Oct. 13...

Janella Hinds, UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools, delivered testimony before the New York City Council Education Committee and Higher Education Committee on streamlining college acceptances for NYC public high school graduates.

The UFT has improved an important benefit for members who have experienced hearing loss. Effective March 1, members will be reimbursed up to $4,000 for hearing aids every three years. 



The United Federation of Teachers represents nearly 200,000 members, including a diverse group of some 78,000 teachers and 26,000 paraprofessionals as well as school counselors, school nurses, social workers and psychologists, occupational and...

We can teach students to become critical consumers of information by teaching them information literacy. The goal is not just to help students distinguish between factual and fictional content but to encourage them to think critically about all the...

DOE policy states that “students must achieve mastery” and/or “achieve learning outcomes” to receive a passing grade. If not, they will receive an NX.

While we tend to think of romantic love around Valentine’s Day, there’s also love of family and friends, self-love, and love of learning, nature, beauty and more.

Caring for people in need and promoting equity were top of mind in the five resolutions UFT delegates approved at the Delegate Assembly on Nov. 19, including support for disaster relief in Jamaica and LGBTQIA+ rights.

When it comes to being your best self, taking care of your physical health is one of the best ways to ensure your mental well-being.

The United Federation of Teachers condemns all forms of police violence, particularly against Black individuals, and we encourage ongoing education and dialogue within our schools and communities to raise awareness about the impact of police violence...

Burnout is a real risk for professionals in the helping professions, which include UFT members in education and health care. If you feel dread at the prospect of going to work, you may be suffering from this condition.

Something as simple as being outside can improve your frame of mind. Seeing the world around you — clouds, birds, children and adults — can help you refocus away from yourself, which is helpful for anyone struggling with depression and anxiety.

The Bronx plan in the proposed DOE-UFT contract to help schools that face the most challenges will be open to up to 120 schools, not just in the Bronx. These schools will receive additional funds and strategic support to better address the needs of...

Educators have stressful jobs with long hours and a range of challenges, and they may experience burnout as a result. Here are some signs of burnout and ways to address it.

Amanda Dutton, the chapter leader at PS 134 in Manhattan, has stood up again and again for students with disabilities and the UFT members who work with those students at her school.

Middle school members gathered in lower Manhattan for the Middle School Division's second annual scavenger hunt, scouring the Financial District for clues about the exploits of Founder Alexander Hamilton in the days leading up to the fateful duel...

A growing number of people have turned to alcohol and other substances to deal with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are dealing with addiction or recovery, the UFT Member Assistance Program can help.

Meditation can lower your stress level, reduce anxiety and depression, increase your ability to concentrate and bring a sense of calm and purpose to your life.