Email update sent to OT/PT members on May 20, 2014

UFT President Michael Mulgrew answered questions from members about the proposed contract in this hour-long webcast, which was streamed live on May 19, the day that ballots began to arrive in schools and homes.

Secret ballots for school-based rank-and-file members were mailed to schools on May 19.

With ballots arriving in schools on Monday, May 19, the UFT is pursuing every possible avenue to provide the information members need to make an informed decision on the proposed collective-bargaining agreement.

Ballots are being sent today to teachers and other UFT staff members in roughly 1,800 schools, and voting is expected to begin Monday on the proposed new contract.

The UFT Middle School Newsletter for May 2014.

With the proposed UFT contract settlement eliminating many uncertainties, Mayor Bill de Blasio on May 8 presented a balanced executive budget for next year that included significant new funding for arts education and after-school programs.

UFT members who volunteered in shelters during Hurricane Sandy and were not paid for all hours worked have won their right to be paid, thanks to a union-initiated grievance.

The UFT’s Pension Department will hold special group meetings in each borough beginning in early June to assist members who plan to retire before June 30 if the new contract is ratified by the rank and file.