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Testimony on spending of COVID-19 relief funds

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding the NYC Department of Education's spending of federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Resolution in support of unions at Starbucks and Amazon

The UFT supports the Starbucks and Amazon unions and will stand and demonstrate as necessary with Amazon and Starbucks unions including turning members out to local actions.

Resolution calling for the acknowledgment of the contribution of the Haitian Revolution in abolishing slavery in the United States

The United Federation of Teachers will affirm that the Haitian Revolution was the largest and most successful slave revolt in the world, thus inspiring the dismantling of slavery in the United States.

Resolution on respect for Diwali

The UFT will advocate that the DOE will be conscious of this important holiday, look for ways to promote its celebration, and respect the staff and students who celebrate Diwali.

Health benefits open enrollment period is active

The annual open enrollment/transfer period for both in-service employees and retirees is Nov. 1 - Nov. 30. During this period, active DOE employees and retirees may transfer from their current health plan to any other plan for which they are eligible...

Battle to preserve premium-free health care

UFT President Michael Mulgrew warned at the Oct. 12 Delegate Assembly that the UFT and its fellow unions are entering a fierce battle to protect their premium-free health care.

Landmark law to lower city class sizes

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 8 signed into law landmark legislation that will lower class sizes in New York City by a third over the next six years, closing a decades-long gap in class sizes between the city and the rest of the state.

High drug prices

"Since you can't afford our pills, I dug this up for you."

Rebel with a cause

Billy Green, a chemistry teacher at A. Philip Randolph HS in Harlem, has been named the 2023 New York State Teacher of the Year by the State Education Department.

Addiction and families

Addiction is often referred to as a “family disease” because it affects the entire family.

Shanick Williams, school secretary

As a school secretary at PS 154 in Harlem, Shanick Williams provides support — and smiles — to administrators, staff and families.

Speaking up for students with disabilities

The city’s superintendents gathered at UFT headquarters in early October. UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese said the union made it clear to them at this introductory meeting that when special education compliance issues are...

Teaching the novel in an ENL class

Here are a few practices to ensure that all students in an ENL class are engaged, challenged and able to facilitate meaningful discussions with each other when studying a novel unit.

Retirees ease back into in-person events

For the first time since the pandemic began, retirees in September had the option of attending the RTC general membership meeting in person at UFT headquarters and are easing back into in-person events while keeping Zoom options open.

Exercise for the brain in Manhattan

Word of mouth is the reason many retirees find their way into the Manhattan Section's Si Beagle classes, which are offered online and in person, and again include “dine-arounds,” walking tours and museum trips.

Protect benefits with your vote

The most labor-friendly President and Congress ever are facing tough mid-term elections. We should help our friends.

Medicare Part B premium to decrease

Medicare Part B premiums and the annual deductible will be reduced in 2023 for the first time in 11 years, the Biden administration has announced. A 3% reduction in the premiums will reduce the monthly payments by $5.20, from $170.10 to $164.90.

Marna Davidson, former RTC Fla. coordinator, dies

Marna Davidson, the former coordinator of the Florida Retired Teachers Chapter office, has died at 89.

Making a difference for returning soldiers

Chester “Chet” Edwards, a retired New York City public school teacher and decorated veteran, volunteers his time helping his fellow veterans return to civilian life after serving in the U.S. military.

A rainbow of possibilities

Members of the school community at PS 18 in the South Bronx have transformed a brick wall into a mural reflecting the diversity and values that make the UFT United Community School and its neighborhood a vibrant community.

We deserve a fair contract

This is our first contract negotiation since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first with this mayor and his schools chancellor. We have been preparing for this round of bargaining for eight months.

UFT goes all-in for Hochul

The UFT is focusing its get-out-the-vote efforts for the Nov. 8 election on securing a full term for Gov. Kathy Hochul.

NYU Langone nurses win short-staffing arbitration

The Federation of Nurses/UFT reached a ground-breaking arbitration settlement agreement on short-staffing with NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn that for the first time required the hospital to pay nurses for working short-staffed.

City test scores are mixed

The results of New York State’s standardized tests showed the pandemic took a toll on math education in New York City public schools that was in line with a national trend, even as student reading scores improved slightly in contrast to the declines...

Supporting migrant students

Public school educators across the city have stepped up to address the educational, socio-emotional and economic needs of the 6,000 migrant students, shipped from Texas, who have arrived in city schools this fall.

Lower test scores linked to absenteeism

Fifty-three percent of public school leaders felt their schools were understaffed as they began the 2022-23 academic year, according to survey results released Sept. 27 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Solid contract ends Philly museum strike

After a 19-day strike, workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Oct. 16 ratified a contract agreement with management that includes 14% raises over three years, a higher hourly wage, paid parental leave and reduced health care costs.

Survey: 53% of public schools understaffed

Fifty-three percent of public school leaders felt their schools were understaffed as they began the 2022-23 academic year, according to survey results released Sept. 27 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Student-created podcasts

Creating podcasts with your middle and high school students isn’t just a trendy project, it’s a task that teaches important skills and is fun and motivating for students.

Reaching students where they are

It’s an age-old question that has become more pressing in the wake of pandemic-aggravated inequalities: If some of my students are just learning to read English, some read at a 5th-grade level and some are at or above grade level, how do I...

Prioritizing the planet

Teachers often go above and beyond for their students, but for Seanelle LeeSang, a teacher at IS 68 in Brooklyn, teaching is an opportunity to go the extra mile for the planet, too.

Bigoted book bans

Across the United States, right-wing opponents of racial justice and LGBTQ rights are waging a campaign of censorship to prevent children from learning about these topics.

Botching GAMA

In September, the DOE rolled out GAMA, a new online grading, attendance and parent messaging system. The implementation has been a disaster.

UFT’s homework help program

Dial-A-Teacher, the UFT’s free homework helpline, is a lifeline for students every Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. when school is in session. It offers K-12 students and their parents homework support from licensed teachers in English, math...

Contract negotiations begin

City officials entered Shanker Hall on Oct. 13 for their first negotiating session with the UFT to face the 500 members of the union’s bargaining committee all dressed in union blue in an impressive display of solidarity and strength.

Vote for clean air and water