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Federation of Nurses/UFT
The Federation of Nurses is the second largest health care union in the country representing more than 5,000 registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) at private hospitals and home health care agencies.
Give new members a warm welcome
UFT Vice President of Elementary Education Karen Alford urges members to welcome and offer their support to the 6,600 new educators hired this fall to bring more classes under the new class size limits that the union fought so hard to secure.
Blue for RESPECT
UFT members supported the “RESPECT check” bill on Nov. 13 by holding teach-ins, wearing blue and tagging City Council members on social media in photos of themselves holding “RESPECT for Paraprofessionals” signs.
Discount movie tickets for UFT members
The UFT's Events and Marketing Services Department offers discounts to UFT members on movie tickets.
VP for Elementary Schools
Karen Alford is vice president for elementary schools. She spearheads the union's United Community Schools initiative, which strengthens schools by offering wraparound health and social services in the school building for the entire community.
UFT political action through COPE
The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the UFT’s political action arm. Learn about its importance and how members can help support it in this Q&A.
FAQ on the functional chapters of DOE school related professionals
School related professionals play an essential role in supporting the varied needs of students. Meet the chapter leaders of the UFT's functional chapters and learn more about their role.
Kudos to Amy Craine, District 31 Pre-K Centers, Staten Island
UFT members at the six sites that make up District 31 Pre-K Centers on Staten Island are no longer staying silent in the face of mistreatment from their principal, thanks to Chapter Leader Amy Craine.
Your retirement timeline
Whether you are a new member, in mid-career or close to retirement, here are steps you can take to learn about your pension benefits and stay on track as you progress down the road to a financially secure retirement.
Pay paraprofessionals their due
Paraprofessionals make the case to outgoing Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to back the RESPECT check bill.
TRS’ Roth option enrollment opens
In-service TRS members can start to contribute to a Roth account in January 2026. A Roth option offers no upfront tax break, but withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free.
Let’s fix Danielson
A Queens teacher argues the Danielson teacher evaluation process needs an overhaul, with teachers being rated in part on how much they've grown as educators.
How a ‘RESPECT check’ would help
Paraprofessionals make the case to outgoing Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to allow the RESPECT check bill to get a vote.
TDA, Roth contribution limits for ’26
The IRS has announced the amount employees can contribute to their tax-deferred annuities and Roth accounts for 2026.
Day of Action 2025
UFT members around the city participated in a Day of Action to show solidarity with paraprofessionals. The action was timed to coincide with the City Council’s public hearing for the “RESPECT check” bill, which would provide annual checks of at least $10,000 to paraprofessionals.
Hailing the path taken to new health plan
I’m proud that the UFT led the charge at the bargaining table and even prouder that we modeled participatory unionism at its best in the process leading up to the Municipal Labor Committee’s final vote on the new plan on Sept. 30. From the beginning...
UFT Teacher Centers are friends indeed
UFT Vice President Mary Vaccaro writes that Teacher Center specialists with extensive teaching and coaching expertise in New York City public schools offer support, professional development, collegial advice and access to resources and materials that...
Nurse Recognition Day 2025
At the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s annual Nurse Recognition Awards dinner on May 8, about 200 nurses and their guests gathered inside Shanker Hall at union headquarters to celebrate 19 hospital and homecare nurses for holding firm in contract negotiations this year and continuously advocating for better training and support for nurses as well as patient care often in work environments that sought to prioritize profit.
Union voice ensures quality patient care
UFT Vice President Anne Goldman writes that in today’s health care settings, the willingness of nurses to speak up for their patients is the essential factor in safeguarding quality care. Nurses who belong to the Federation of Nurses/UFT can advocate...
Keep the pipeline of CTE teachers flowing
UFT Vice President for Career and Technical Education High Schools Leo Gordon writes that as the Success Via Apprenticeship program celebrates its 40th year, it is imperative that this unique pathway for new CTE teachers receive the support and...
Approach AI with caution
A retired educator warns that teachers must take pains to ensure the human student-teacher relationship remains central in schools as artificial intelligence makes inroads into the pedagogical process.
Why I am an avid reader
UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds encourages high school educators to continue to expand their own knowledge base through reading a variety of texts. Being an avid reader, she writes, helps educators better guide their...
Seeking the spotlight in retirement
Richard Sacher, who retired from teaching in 2005, has made acting and singing his second act.
Teaching financial literacy
Financial literacy is a foundational life skill, yet too many young people reach adulthood without it. Here are several comprehensive, nonpartisan resources teachers can trust.
VP for Education
Mary Vaccaro is the UFT vice president for education. She was elected by the union’s Executive Board in September 2020. Mary, a graduate of Adelphi University, received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Early...
VP for Non-DOE and Private Sector Members
Anne Goldman is the UFT's vice president for non-DOE and private sector members. Anne has a bachelor of science in nursing as well as an RN license from the New York State.
VP for Career and Technical Education High Schools
Leo Gordon is the UFT vice president for career and technical education. Elected by the union's Executive Board in October 2021, Leo brings to this role more than 26 years of career and technical education teaching and coaching experience.
VP for Academic High Schools
Janella T. Hinds is vice president for academic high schools at the UFT. Janella earned her bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in African American studies from Princeton University and her master's in social studies education from...
A scary prospect
Let's lower the Tier 6 retirement age before we're 6 feet under!
VP for Special Education
MaryJo Ginese worked for the Department of Education as an occupational therapist for more than 21 years. After her promotion to supervisor of therapists in 2007, she provided exemplary clinical support to occupational therapists, where she was known...
How I calculated true 'success'
An elementary school teacher shares what a math lesson taught him about a new way to measure success in this latest installment of New Teacher Diaries.
A multi-sensory space
A colorful multi-sensory space in a Queens special education teacher's classroom offers her kindergarten and 1st-grade students a range of engagement to calm themselves and self-regulate.
Star turn
Malala Yousafzai, one of Brooklyn Landmark Elementary School's "core value mentors," surprised students this fall by serving as the school's "celebrity substitute" on the YouTube show of the same name.
Fueling student success
At food pantries and distribution efforts run by UFT-supported United Community Schools, monthly or weekly programs help meet the nutritional needs of struggling families across the city. The pantries are a safe haven for many immigrant families...
Si Beagle instructors needed
The UFT is seeking retiree instructors to teach Si Beagle continuing education classes.
Teacher Union Day
About 1,700 UFT members and guests marked the union’s 65th anniversary at this year’s observance of Teacher Union Day on Nov. 2 by honoring union members past and present for their efforts to improve working conditions and strengthen members’ rights...