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Middle Schools Conference
The UFT’s Middle Schools Conference was back on April 9 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with workshops on social and emotional wellness, culturally responsive STEAM classrooms, integrated co-teaching and other topics.
Know Your Rights
Below is an alphabetical list of member rights. Click on the topic to view an easy-to-follow explanation of that right with links to additional resources and/or contract language.
Teacher Union Day 2023
UFT members celebrated past, present and future union leaders on Teacher Union Day by mourning founder George Altomare on the anniversary of the union’s first strike and honoring the new school-based Contract Action Teams and others who carry on his...
UFT wins bonus pay arbitration
Eighty UFT members will receive the $3,000 ratification bonus negotiated in the 2023 DOE-UFT contract after an independent arbitrator ruled in the union’s favor on Sept. 17. The decision resolves a union-initiated grievance challenging the DOE’s...
Testimony of Michael Mulgrew regarding the proposed state budget
UFT President Michael Mulgrew submitted testimony before the 2026 Joint Legislative Budget Committee regarding the governor’s proposed executive budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Videos
See video pieces featuring the Federation of Nurses.
UFT members get on board
Energized UFT members paired up with their fellow union members from the Philadelphia Teachers Union and AFT Pennsylvania on Sept. 21 to get out the vote for Kamala Harris in the battleground state.
Special classes
Special class services serve students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met within a general education class, including integrated co-teaching classes, even with the use of supplementary aids and services.
Request a speaker for your school
Representatives from various UFT departments are available to visit your school to speak with your members about important issues.
Federation of Nurses/UFT files notification of potential strike at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn
The Federation of Nurses/ UFT sent a 10-day strike notification to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn on Tuesday night, Feb. 18. The Federation of Nurses/UFT's contract with NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn ends at midnight on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.
Nurse Recognition Day
Some 200 nurses and their families filled Shanker Hall for the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s annual Nurse Recognition Day dinner on May 8 to honor members for their union activism and patient advocacy.
UFT Educator Panel
Eight New York City public school educators, selected from hundreds of applicants, met with education and political leaders at the “Listen Up: The reality is…” UFT Educator Panel on April 14 and detailed what they need to best help students succeed.
Teacher Union Day 2022
UFT members showed up in force for Teacher Union Day on Nov. 6 to recognize their colleagues' dedication to the union and to unite in solidarity to face the battles ahead.
How long are the first two workdays of the new school year?
For teachers and paraprofessionals, the first two workdays before students return are both 6 hours and 50 minutes long. For other titles, Tuesday follows regular work hours and Wednesday is six hours and 50 minutes.
Hochul state budget plan ‘best I’ve seen’
UFT President Michael Mulgrew lauded Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal, telling the Delegate Assembly on Jan. 19 that “the starting place for the budget is the best I have ever seen since I’ve been president.”
Article Ten — Leaves
A. Cumulative Absence Reserves and Sick Leave Counselors reinstated after retirement will be credited with the cumulative reserves remaining to their credit upon retirement and such reserves as they accumulated as regular substitutes. Counselors...
Appendix F — District 79 Reorganization
Memorandum of Agreement entered into this 29th day of June 2007, by and between the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York (hereinafter referred to as the “BOE”) and the United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, AFT, AFL...
Appendix I — District 79 Reorganization
Memorandum of Agreement entered into this 29th day of June 2007, by and between the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York (hereinafter referred to as the "BOE") and the United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, AFT, AFL...
Appendix F — District 79 Reorganization
Memorandum of Agreement entered into this 29th day of June 2007, by and between the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York (hereinafter referred to as the “BOE”) and the United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, AFT, AFL...
Appendix F — District 79 Reorganization
Memorandum of Agreement entered into this 29th day of June 2007, by and between the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York (hereinafter referred to as the “BOE”) and the United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, AFT, AFL...
Paras: a key part of the team
In my career, I have shared my classroom with the most wonderful assistants imaginable.
Article Twenty-Seven — Notice-Legislative Action
Wherever the term "Board" is used in the Agreement it shall mean the City Board, it being understood, nevertheless, that this contract is binding on all community school districts in accordance with Section 2590 of the Education Law. Wherever the...
Is filing a grievance the only way to resolve an issue with a school administrator?
Not at all. Before filing a grievance, it is always a good idea to speak with your chapter leader about resolving the issue informally. Our contract also provides for a number of other ways to resolve issues including the operational process for...
About us
Learn more about our union and the benefits and services we provide to our members.
Who is eligible to take A+ courses?
All teachers are eligible to take A+ courses for their own knowledge, development and to earn credit toward a salary differential. A+ courses may only be taken for credit by teachers. If you are a guidance counselor, paraprofessional, school...
How much is the UFT Welfare Fund disability benefit?
As of Nov. 1, 2024, teachers and other pedagogues approved for this benefit receive $575 a week for up to 52 weeks, while paraprofessionals and other groups in the same salary range receive $475 per week for up to 52 weeks. Learn more about...
How do I get paid during the summer?
Pedagogues and paraprofessionals receive 24 semi-monthly checks — 20 for your service from September to June and four for July and August. To be eligible for full vacation pay, you need to have worked the entire school year. If you worked less than a...
Michael Mulgrew re-elected President of the United Federation of Teachers
UFT President Michael Mulgrew won his sixth term as the union’s president. Mulgrew and the Unity Caucus candidates received 54% of the vote.
Creating a safe Nest for students
Third-year special education teacher Britni Maddocks takes a strengths-based approach to assessing her students’ needs in her NEST classroom at PS 59 on Staten Island to help build students’ confidence and assure them that the classroom is a safe...
Culture and connection
More than 400 students, parents and community members filled the school yard at United Community School PS 19 in Queens on Sept. 27 for a full day of live music, food, and dance performances in a celebration of Hispanic heritage and health.
Is there a waiting period before disability benefits begin?
Yes. For pedagogues, there is a 28-day unpaid waiting period after your sick bank is exhausted and you have been removed from the DOE payroll. For non-pedagogical employees and paraprofessionals, there is a 14-day unpaid waiting period which begins...
Dorothy Lowery
Dorothy Lowery worked as a paraprofessional, a school secretary and a teacher.
Article Five — Health Insurance, Welfare Fund and Benefits
A. Health Insurance The above shall apply to UFT-represented employees in TRS and BERS hired after the legislation is enacted. The Board will provide employees covered by this Agreement who regularly work 20 hours or more a week with health insurance...
Chapter leader tools
Chapter leaders serve as a crucial link between members and the union. Here are some tools to help you with your job.
Resolution to support NYC transit workers
The United Federation of Teachers supports the TWU as they negotiate on behalf of their members and supports a fair contract for transit workers.