In the few short weeks since new City Council members were sworn in, we’ve hit the ground running. Our paraprofessionals have had meetings with at least 12 members of the city council so far and more appointments have been scheduled.

LEAP to Teacher provides free, specialized support services for paraprofessionals and teachers employed by the DOE who are pursuing higher education and advancing their careers in teaching or any other field of study.

Testimony of Michael Mulgrew, UFT President, Priscilla Castro, Chairperson of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, and others delivered in support of the "RESPECT check" bill for New York City paraprofessionals before the New York City Council.

The Lead Teacher Assistant is an annual position for in-service, full-time paraprofessionals that enables them to play a more diverse role supporting student needs in the classroom and school. Lead Teacher Assistants support instruction in the...

Testimony of Michael Mulgrew, UFT President, Priscilla Castro, Chairperson of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, and others delivered in support of the "RESPECT check" bill for New York City paraprofessionals at the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council hearing...

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The UFT Contract Negotiating Committee, made up of over 600 members, will begin in June to chart union strategy for negotiating the next DOE-UFT contract.

On this episode, the United Federation of Teacher's President Michael Mulgrew is joined by UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams to discuss the highlights and significance of the new contract with regards to paras.

Each year, the UFT recognizes outstanding paraprofessionals who have made contributions to their school, their community and their union. Please use the link below to nominate a full-time paraprofessional for this award. The nomination deadline is...

Paraprofessionals who have been arrested will no longer be automatically suspended without pay, under the DOE’s updated policy, to resolve the UFT’s union-initiated grievance that challenged the unfairness of automatic suspensions. Paraprofessionals...

A Brooklyn paraprofessional says passage of the "RESPECT," saying she and her colleagues deserve to be shown they're valued.

UFT members are prepared to fight for the contract they deserve. That was the message resonating across the city on Jan. 30, as educators gathered in their schools for “teach-ins” led by members of each school’s Contract Action Team.

Take principals out of play. A school counselor counsels the DOE about how best to address the paraprofessional shortage.

Get answers to your questions about virtual learning under the new proposed contract.

The Delegate Assembly of the UFT votes to encourage members of all titles to sign the petition to support the Respect Check legislation, alert parent associations about how parents can show support, and hold a day of action on November 13th, 2025.

The UFT will continue to raise our collective voices towards achieving a fair, just and representative contract.

The United Federation of Teachers will testify today in support of the City Council's proposed "RESPECT check" legislation that would provide every New York City paraprofessional an annual $10,000 payment in addition to their regular salary.

UFT members employed by the ADAPT Community Network overwhelmingly ratified a two-year contract on Nov. 22 that provides solid wages increases and creates a new process to resolve health and safety issues at the worksites.

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must...

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must...

More than 1,600 members of the United Federation of Teachers rallied outside City Hall Wednesday, calling on the City Council to support legislation to provide paraprofessionals with an additional $10,000 annually.

Educational paraprofessionals who work in activities other than their regular assignments are paid a per session rate for the hours worked. Per session is a positive payment that is issued along with regular payments. Because per session is a...

Federation of Nurses/UFT members who are Licensed Practical Nurses with VNS Health overwhelmingly ratified a contract that provides a 6.6% increase in base salaries over two years while preserving current premium-free health benefits and establishing...

Minneapolis educators approved a new contract nearly three weeks after going on strike for higher wages, smaller class sizes, protections for educators of color and mental health support.