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What is longevity as it applies to your salary? When do we get pay increases based on longevity?
Longevity increases are based on your years working as a pedagogue in the city’s public schools. You will automatically receive a longevity salary increase after you have completed five, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 years in the system.
What is a salary step? How do I apply for one?
A salary step is an increase in salary based on experience. With continuous service you move up a half-step twice a year — although there may be no monetary difference between the “A” and “B” levels within one year. These “steps” occur on your...
How is my salary determined?
Your base salary depends on three factors: your experience, your academic credits and your length of service in the city’s public schools. Experience determines what step you are on; your academic credits determine what differentials you receive; and...
What is the process for the creating the professional activity menu and teacher selection?
The Chapter Leader and the Principal consult on the activities, number of positions, qualifications, and duties and responsibilities for each activity. Teachers should be given a preference sheet with all of that information listed, and they get to...
Is the Open Market the only way that I can seek a position in another school?
No, it isn’t. You may contact any school by phone, mail or in person whether or not it lists a current transfer on the Open Market website. The UFT/DOE collective-bargaining agreement gives members the right to apply to as many schools as they wish...
Can teachers take time off for religious observance for important holidays in their faith?
Yes. You may use your three personal business days for religious observance. These will be deducted from your CAR (sick bank) or you may take a pay deduction for each day that you do not report to work. The deducted amount will equal the amount that...
How do I let the UFT know that my address has changed?
It is essential to keep your personal information up to date to ensure the receipt of the New York Teacher, information about UFT activities and Welfare Fund health benefits. There are several ways you can update your address: The quickest way to...
Why should I become a member of the UFT? What is the benefit of joining?
As a member, you have access to valuable benefits and rights to a voice in your professional life that nonmembers don’t have. You can participate in money-saving group insurance plans and low-cost legal and financial service plans and you can get...
Do I have to join the union? Is membership automatic?
The answer to both these questions is no. The UFT is a democratic union and no one is forced to join. Nevertheless, an amazing 96 percent of all potential members choose to become UFT members. Nor is membership automatic, a frequent misconception...
What are the class size limits for my grade?
Pre-Kindergarten: 18 students with a teacher and a paraprofessional Kindergarten: 25 students Grades 1-6 in elementary schools: 32 students by contract JHS/MS (all grades 4 – 8 or 5 – 9, if are located in a middle school, then middle school class...
I am in the army reserve and have just been told to report for duty. How do I notify the DOE?
Send an email to your principal, cc your payroll secretary and chapter leader and apply for a military leave on SOLAS.
What is the difference between a Family Medical Leave Act (FLMLA) leave and a contractual DOE leave? Do I have to apply for both?
The FMLA applies to all employees who have worked for 12 months or 1,250 hours. The FMLA and UFT-bargained leaves run concurrently, so you only apply for the contractual leave.
Can I take an unpaid leave of absence to take care of a sick family member?
Yes. If eligible, you can apply for up to 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave to care for a sick family member with a physician’s statement. If you haven’t already used 3 personal days, you may use them now but you may not use any other CAR days. If you...
Can I use a sabbatical leave to pursue independent study?
Eligible teachers with 14 years of service can apply for a one-year Educational Research Project sabbatical. The research project has to be in the field of education and job-related. The project must be significantly rigorous and must have evident...
What types of leaves are available to UFT members?
The most frequently requested leaves are: UFT parental leave: Eligible UFT-represented DOE employees may take up to six weeks of parental leave following the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. The 2023 contract agreement includes an...
When can I file a grievance?
In most cases, a grievance must be filed within 30 school days from the time you have knowledge of the act or condition that violates the contract. However, in certain types of grievances, the time limits are shorter. For example, all reorganization...
What is excessing? What is the difference between excessing and layoffs?
Excessing is the process of reducing staff in a particular school when there is a reduction in the number of available positions in a title or license area. There are times when a school reduces the size of its faculty, such as when it experiences an...
What factors determine who gets excessed in a school?
If the school’s budget or a drop in enrollment requires a reduction in staff, the principal decides which license area(s) to reduce positions in. Excessing in those licenses is done in inverse seniority order; that is, the person with the least...
What are the class size limits for a self-contained special education class?
Class sizes and staffing ratios (including teachers and paraprofessionals) in self-contained special education classes are determined by the needs of the students as reflected in their IEPs. The ratios are based on state regulations and NYC...
If I am going to be excessed, when will I be notified?
According to the UFT/DOE contract, you must be informed in writing by June 15 if you are at risk of being excessed for the next school year, but it is still possible to be excessed after that date due to changes in enrollment or the budget.
If I am excessed from my school, am I fired and out of a job?
Excessing is not a layoff. A person in excess is not out of a job. You will continue to work and receive your full pay and benefits. You can check your status (Excessed or Not Excessed) on the online Open Market Transfer system. This is helpful...
How do I find another position if I am excessed?
When a teacher is notified that she is in excess, she should register on the Open Market System for purposes of providing updated contact information. She will also have access to a list of current vacancies throughout the city and the right to apply...
What are the class size limits for a collaborative team teaching class?
Collaborative Team Teaching is now referred to as Integrated Co-Teaching. The number of students with disabilities in an Integrated Co-Teaching class may not exceed 40 percent of the total class register with a maximum of 12 students with...
What do I do if I suspect that staff and students are being exposed to asbestos or PCBs as a result of construction work at my school?
If you find damaged or disturbed building materials such as plaster or floor tiles, assume these materials contain potentially hazardous materials until otherwise noted and contact your UFT borough health and safety representative. Similarly, damaged...
Does the school have any input into how a construction project in the building is conducted?
Yes, there must be a protocol meeting prior to the commencement of an SCA construction and renovation project and the UFT chapter leader must be present. There also must be a protocol meeting prior to the commencement of DOE Division of School...
Are there special class size limits for English language learners?
No, the regular class size limits apply.
How do I change licenses? What are the consequences of doing so?
In order to change a license/appointment, you must have the certificate needed for the new appointment and a principal’s recommendation to fill a vacancy in the new area. Teachers who change their license/appointment area go back on probation for at...
Am I allowed to teach outside of my license area?
State regulations permit teachers to be assigned no more than one period a day outside their certification, license/appointment area when no certified or qualified teacher is available. This is called incidental teaching. However, a superintendent of...
Where can I find out what the requirements are for my certificate/license?
The requirements for New York State certificates can be found at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert. There are no separate requirements for a New York City license other than the availability of a vacancy in the certificate area and the recommendation of a...
What is the difference between a state certificate and a city license?
You must have New York State certification to be hired for a full-time teaching position in New York City. The position must match the state certificate. New York City no longer issues a separate paper license, but there is still a license...
What do I do if I am exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials at work?
While most New York City school educators are not at risk, if you are exposed to blood or body fluids in an accident, playground scrape, bloody nose, fight, athletic injury or violent incident, treat any such incident as if the fluids are infected...
What protective measures against bloodborne pathogens must the DOE provide?
The DOE is required to develop an Exposure Control Plan that: identifies at-risk workers; outlines methods to prevent or eliminate exposure, including universal precautions and the use of safe needle devices; outlines adequate personal protective...
If a close family member dies, can I take time off to attend the funeral?
You may take off up to four days for the purposes of bereavement, at any point in the three months after the date of death of a covered family member. Form OP 201 is required.
Are there any illnesses for which time off will not be deducted from my sick bank?
Yes. Measles, mumps and chicken pox are childhood diseases that are not deductible from your sick time. Ask your school secretary or UFT chapter leader for an OP 198 application to submit to your principal. Form: http://www.uft.org/files/attachments...
How can personal days be used?
You can use three of your 10 days for personal business, provided that the days are approved by your principal. Personal business is officially defined as something that cannot be done at any time other than a school day, during school hours...
How many sick days do teachers have each year? How many personal days?
UFT represented DOE employees may take up to 10 self-treated days per school year without a doctor’s note for absences due to illness. Three out of the 10 may be used for personal business. Paras may not take more than five in a term and must have a...