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Resources for New Educators
The UFT is a family of educators, and we are here to support you as you grow throughout your career. We welcome our new members by providing the resources you need.
FAQs on negotiations
The following FAQ answers members' most commonly asked questions about negotiations for an improved city health care plan.
New rights for OTs and PTs: Course reimbursement and family leave
The following email about course reimbursement and family leave was sent to all DOE-employed occupational and physical therapists from UFT President Michael Mulgrew on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.
Secretary
Mike Sill is the UFT’s secretary and also serves as the director of personnel, payroll and special projects. Elected to office in 2019, he is serving his second term within UFT leadership. Mike received his bachelor’s degree in English from...
New Retiree Luncheon
More than 500 newly minted retirees gathered to celebrate at the union's New Retiree Luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown on Nov. 21.
Retired Teachers Chapter Luncheon
This year's Retired Teachers Chapter Luncheon celebrated the "visionaries" on whose shoulders stand retirees and in-service members alike as some 500 attendees were urged to continue advocating for political change and the rights of educators...
Spring Education Conference
UFT President Michael Mulgrew celebrated educators' resolve and hard work in the face of challenges as more than 1,000 UFT members turned out for the union's Spring Education Conference, which featured a town hall on literacy and a keynote speech by...
UFT’s large and diverse ‘family’
Union leaders and representatives from the union’s private, nonprofit and Department of Education functional chapters gathered at union headquarters on Jan. 16 to kick off a new union initiative intended to showcase and amplify the work of members in...
UFT’s large and diverse ‘family’
Union leaders and representatives from the union’s private, nonprofit and Department of Education functional chapters gathered at union headquarters on Jan. 16 to kick off a new union initiative intended to showcase and amplify the work of members in...
The UFT’s work is far from finished
Fifty years have passed since the UFT was first founded and secured collective-bargaining rights for New York City’s public school educators. Speaking with a single voice for members, parents and children, the UFT quickly became a true champion of...
Instructional planning
Class lessons can’t always be used right from the web, but they can offer teachers a great place to begin their planning, and can help you to shape your own ideas.
Professional growth for new teachers
Your union is here to support you as you grow throughout your career. These are some UFT and DOE initiatives that provide professional development and assistance for new teachers.
Albert Shanker College Scholarship Awards 2025
The UFT gave out $5,000 college scholarships to 200 high school seniors and nine graduate students at the 56th annual ceremony on June 3 at UFT headquarters.
Special Education Intervention Teacher (formerly known as IEP teacher)
The Special Education Intervention Teacher is a centrally funded learning specialist. Learn more about this position and the role these educators play for students with disabilities.
Special class staffing
The new world of special education teacher certification is complicated. Learn more about certification for special education positions.
More challenges ahead
We are operating in a constantly changing environment. You’re teaching and supporting children while enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing, conducting instructional lunches and navigating partial classroom closures. As flexible as we’ve all...
George Altomare
George Altomare, a founder of the UFT who led with insight, devotion and a great deal of heart, died on Aug. 20, at age 92 after a long illness. He loved teaching and dedicated his life to improving public school education for New York City students...
Kudos to Faiza Khalid, PS 36, Manhattan
Faza Khalid, the chapter leader at PS 36 in Harlem, used the consultation process to get some unwelcome guests kicked off school grounds this year: a troop of rowdy raccoons.
Article Fourteen — Union Activities, Privileges And Responsibilities
A. Restriction on Union Activities No school secretary shall engage in Union activities during the time he/she is assigned to his/her regular duties, except that members of the Chapter’s negotiating committee and its special consultants shall, upon...
Article Twenty-One — Working of Per Diem Substitutes
A. Applicability Per diem substitutes covered by this Agreement are: Full term substitutes: serving after the fifteenth day of the school term for the duration of that term in a full-time or regularly scheduled part-time position. Other-than...
Retirees stand up for workers
The Labor Solidarity Project connects RTC members with opportunities to support the labor movement as a whole. Members boost unionized workers' spirits, showing up on the picket lines in support of unionized workers as varied as those for theater...
UFT Delegate Assembly to vote on proposed health care plan that preserves premium-free health care for city employees
The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) and the city today reached a tentative agreement with EmblemHealth/United Healthcare on a proposed health care plan for 750,000 city employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their families.
Federation of Nurses/UFT Professional Issues Conference
The Federation of Nurses/UFT's Professional Issues Conference, held virtually on Nov.19, gave members valuable information about COVID-19 and its psychological impact, congestive heart failure and social media as it applies to nurses.
Well-being resources
Download free mindfulness apps, take a fast online quiz to assess your stress level, learn more about nature therapy, and so much more with our collection of online self-care resources.
SBO sample ballots: Elementary schools
See sample SBO ballots for early elementary and elementary schools, including pre-K centers, K-5 and K-8 schools.
Testimony of Michael Mulgrew on the governor's proposed 2025-26 budget
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivered testimony before the state Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the proposed 2025-26 executive budget.
Professionalism: Assuring Teacher Quality
Given the attacks on public education, the widespread frustration with the seemingly slow pace of reform, the focus on teacher competence and the public perception that teacher unions, despite proof to the contrary, oppose reform, the UFT established...
Appendix K — Pension Legislation
October 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway - 14th Floor New York, NY 10004 Dear Ms. Weingarten: This letter will confirm certain mutual understandings and agreements of the parties. The parties agree to...
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.
UFT Legal Services Plan
When you need legal assistance, it can be costly and stressful. That’s why the union created a Legal Services Plan exclusively for UFT members that provides in-service members with access to attorneys who will assist them for free or at discounted...
Article Seven — Assignments and Facilities
A. Special Assignments Special assignments are assignments to the truancy patrol team, the court unit, and such other special assignments as may be created after September 9, 1987. Notice of special assignment positions shall be posted City-wide...
Article Eighteen — Working Conditions of Per Diem Substitutes
A. Applicability Per diem substitutes covered by this Agreement are: Full-term substitutes: serving after the fifteenth day of the school term for the duration of that term in a full-time or regularly scheduled part-time position; Other-than...
Appendix E — Pension Legislation
October 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway – 14th Floor New York, NY 10004 Dear Ms. Weingarten: This letter will confirm certain mutual understandings and agreements of the parties. The parties agree to...
Article Thirteen — Union Activities, Privledges and Responsibilities
A. Restriction on Union Activities No counselor shall engage in Union activities during the time he/she is assigned to duty. Members of the Chapter's negotiating committee shall, upon proper application, be excused without loss of pay for working...
School Counselors Conference
Shanker Hall at UFT headquarters was packed on March 11 for the 19th annual School Counselors Conference — the first fully in-person conference the chapter has held since school buildings closed during the pandemic — and members relished the...