Workers’ compensation is insurance paid for by the employer. It covers medical costs associated with an on-the-job injury or illness, and it pays a portion of lost salary if you miss work. Full- or part-time paraprofessionals, occupational and...

Former Brooklyn elementary school teacher Andy Pallotta, who led the New York State United Teachers for six years, stepped down as union president at the annual Representative Assembly in Albany in April, while the convention honored UFT members with...

Dual-language pre-K teacher Gema Campusano of the District 25 Pre-K Center in Queens has found that bilingual education not only supports students' language development but also builds their confidence and a strong sense of identity.


The UFT’s New Member Initiative and Member Assistance Program welcomed new educators this school year with activity-based events in all five boroughs to foster fun, community and learning. 


While paraprofessionals must be available to change soiled diapers or clothes promptly, teachers are responsible for the health and safety of the classroom environment and should take any steps necessary to maintain a safe and clean environment, such...

Joel I Klein Chancellor Department of Education 52 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007 December 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway New York, NY 10002 Dear Ms Weingarten, Notwithstanding any provision of the...

The UFT-DOE contracts contain protections against a wide range of discriminatory or harassing behaviors, including sexual harassment. Federal, state and city laws also provide protections. Here is what you need to know.


IEP meetings should happen during instructional time or the teacher’s professional activity period. Under the 2023 DOE-UFT contract (Article 6B1d), IEP conferences can now also be scheduled during the 40-minute block of Other Professional Work on...

School library media specialists, along with those serving as school librarians, perform an array of educational and administrative tasks.

Joel I Klein Chancellor Department of Education 52 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007 December 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway New York, NY 10002 Dear Ms Weingarten, Notwithstanding any provision of the...

As UFT members, you have rights on the job — rights to professional and fair treatment and to working conditions that help make a tough job more doable. These rights have been negotiated in a give-and-take process with management. It’s important to...

You must provide a legal document (marriage certificate, etc.) for proof of name change. If you receive Welfare Fund benefits, you should fill out the fill out the Welfare Fund’s Change of Status Form on the UFT website to change your name. If you...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to news that educators in two schools had tested positive for COVID-19.

The school-based special education committee — created as part of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract — gave Naing the tool she needed to fight to ensure special education students in her school receive the services they are entitled to.

With some exceptions, K–12 teachers are covered by Advance.

The following email was sent to DOE-employed UFT members and pre-Medicare-eligible retirees on April 29, 2025, from Geof Sorkin, Executive Director of the UFT Welfare Fund.

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...

The last three DOE-UFT contracts contain provisions for paperwork reduction. If members are asked to complete redundant or excessive paperwork, you can raise this with your school's chapter leader, who is empowered to resolve these issues. A chapter...

Both parents are each entitled to six weeks of UFT parental leave if they both work for the DOE in UFT-represented titles. In the 2023 DOE-UFT contract, the union fixed a thorny issue with the original 2018 parental leave agreement: When both the...

Three New York City public school educators jumped into action when they saw their students in distress, and their help made the difference in each life-threatening situation.

Jennifer Figueroa believes that anyone can be an artist. And the Bronx native, now in her third year of teaching art at PS 178 in Co-op City, knows that an expansive definition of "artist" helps kids take pride in all kinds of creativity.

See a wide range of specialized programs and services related to special education in New York City public schools.

Jermaine Coley's warm, hands-on approach has made the second-year school counselor a respected and beloved figure at PS 284 in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

About 300 Retired Teachers Chapter members and guests attended the RTC Luncheon, which featured performances by the New York City Labor Chorus, and Jimmy Hill and the All-starz Band, whose blues, soul and funk music got attendees dancing.
The RTC...

Representing approximately 5,000 nurses, the Federation of Nurses/ UFT is among New York City’s leading unions of healthcare professionals.

District 75 also provides SETSS in District 1 through 32 schools to students with significant disabilities as part of its Special Education Inclusive Services program. Learn more »

Congratulations to PS 35 in Queens. This is union power. Thank you for fighting to uphold our contractual rights. We all should be proud of the staff of PS 35, their chapter leader, their district representative, the UFT Grievance Department, the UFT...

We can all agree that our health benefits need a reset. For the past two years, the city and the MLC have been involved in a negotiated acquisition process for a new in-service and pre-Medicare retiree health care plan, which we hope will be the...

The Federation of Nurses/UFT is in a pitched battle with NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn over short staffing that the union contends is putting patients at risk.


The provisions in the DOE-UFT contract regarding program preferences and professional activity assignments give teachers a voice about which classes they will teach the following year and which professional activities they are assigned.

Hourly rate for supervisors of therapists and nurses with a master's plus 10 years' experience and longevity.

If you believe that a supervisor has violated your contractual rights and you have been unable to resolve your issue informally, ask your chapter leader to file a Step 1 grievance against the DOE on your behalf. Grievances are all filed online now...

As a state-approved provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours, the UFT's LearnUFT program offers professional learning opportunities specifically designed to meet our members’ needs. State regulations now require all teachers...

Tier 6 members also have to pay into the pension for their entire career whereas we contributed for only 10 years. Work needs to be done to fix this.