The third annual retention bonus negotiated as part of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract will be paid in May. All UFT-represented employees who worked full-time during the 12 months leading up to April 1, 2026, will receive $1,000 as a supplemental check.

Tom Pappas, a “tough as nails” but kind educator and administrator who began teaching in 1957 and went on to serve as a district representative, borough representative, UFT assistant, UFT secretary, staff director and Retired Teachers Chapter leader...

Retired special education teacher Hope Kirsch has turned her educational knowhow into a rewarding second act as a lauded special education attorney post retirement.

Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer calls on retirees to join the UFT in organizing around protecting the social safety nets of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as he details threats and cuts the Trump administration has made regarding the programs...

Ready to apply for a new opportunity or wish to transfer to a new school? This Q and A explains what educators need to know about the Open Market Transfer Plan.

Low salaries for New York City public schools’ paraprofessionals have led to thousands of vacancies, unserved students and personal financial crises, UFT members said at a March 9 City Council hearing on legislation for an annual $10,000...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew commends members on the new heights of union activism this year, especially in their advocacy for Tier 6 reform among state lawmakers and to push for passage of RESPECT check legislation in the City Council. He urges...

The diligent advocacy of the UFT and OT/PT members has resulted in the city Department of Education finally implementing a long-delayed policy allowing occupational and physical therapists to work a voluntary ninth session for additional pay.

After a five-year fight for recognition as a bargaining unit, the UFT's newest chapter, the Division of School Facilities Supervisors Chapter, is negotiating its 1st contract with the city Department of Education.

The Trump administration continued its efforts to dismantle the U.S. Education Department by announcing an agreement on March 19 to transfer most of the responsibilities of managing the federal student loan portfolio to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Regarding a deal the Women’s National Basketball Players Association said demonstrated the power of its union, WNBA players unanimously approved a new seven-year WNBA collective bargaining agreement that was ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors on...

More than 1 million federal workers may lose their collective bargaining rights after the Trump administration canceled their contracts at the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and the Department of Energy in...

Creating classroom podcasts isn’t just trendy, it’s a task that checks many boxes: using real-world skills, applying content knowledge, integrating technology, incorporating student voice, and practicing all four components of English language arts....

Spring is the time for school chapter leaders to discuss with their chapter’s members and then with their principal the school-based options they want to create, re-create or allow to sunset for the 2026–27 school year.

Play fosters a lasting love of learning, and must be protected in early childhood classrooms. Research overwhelmingly reinforces the benefits of play-based instruction. Children who engage in cooperative play generally have higher self-esteem, and...

The UFT Welfare Fund offers dental benefits through two programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which provides services through either a designated panel of dentists or a dentist of your choice, and Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO.

Educators at Flushing High School called on the UFT and took a stand when the principal initiated a program that resulted in isolating ELL students. Instead addressing students' learning and language issues, they were isolated in two windowless...

Changes to the state’s Foundation Aid formula shortchanged New York City by $314 million last year and, without reform, will cost city schools more than $400 million next year. The UFT has identified three key areas legislators must fix to give New...

At the March Delegate Assembly. UFT President Michael Mulgrew said significant progress had been made toward passage of the RESPECT check bill during a report where he also provided updates on the impact of the state's increased funding for 3K and 2K...

The national Educational Choice for Children Act, tucked into the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Congress passed last summer, is bad news for public education – and New York must not opt in.

A Brooklyn teacher expresses her gratitude for the care and dedication paraprofessionals demonstrate for students daily.

A teacher at Brooklyn's PS 152 lauds recently retired UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr for his mentorship and guidance.

When students ask John Isaza why he teaches — despite the higher salary he could earn as an electrician — his answer is simple. “I love my job,” he tells them. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.” Isaza, a UFT Career and Technical...

Follow along as the 2nd-grade students in Jacqueline Velten and Melissa Hamm’s integrated co-teaching class at PS 54 on Staten Island travel to the Staten Island Museum to experience “Art Now: Watercolor Fun,” one of 20 class trips the museum offers...

Teacher Jacqueline Armento's development and coordination of the Law Institute at John Bowne HS in Queens earned her recognition at this year’s UFT Career and Technical Education Awards night, where she received a UFT CTE Educators Award.

Chapter Leader Stephanie Isidore of FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard HS in Brooklyn was an impactful source of comfort and information to her member colleagues in helping them navigate having three different principals over the course of nine months.

School social workers gathered at UFT headquarters and online on March 6 for a day of professional development and networking to mark the 10th annual Social Workers Appreciation Day.

The invaluable need for human connection in a fast-moving digital world was top of mind as School Counselors Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson welcomed about 200 counselors and other related service providers to union headquarters for the 22nd annual...

More than 1,000 members and guests turned out to affirm the work of paraprofessionals at the annual Paraprofessional Awards Luncheon. A total of 16 honorees were recognized for their work supporting students across the city, with UFT leaders...

More than 70 educators gathered at union headquarters for the union’s Middle Schools Conference, gaining professional development and key insights on meeting the challenge of supporting students at a uniquely challenging age.

The shared themes between Passover and the labor movement took center stage at the UFT Jewish Heritage Committee’s annual Labor Seder at the UFT Brooklyn borough office where attendees shared in the traditional ritual meal.

UFT members celebrated Irish American culture and contribution to the mosaic that is New York City during a celebration at UFT headquarters on Feb. 5.

More than 200 UFT members filled Shanker Hall at union headquarters on February 27 to break the Ramadan fast during the UFT Muslim Educators Committee's third annual Iftar dinner. The event was joined by guests including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and...

About 200 members gathered for a day of self-care, reflection and community at the UFT’s annual HERstory Celebration Brunch in honor of Women’s History Month.
The event, organized by UFT Vice President Janella Hinds, was designed to support members'...

The UFT celebrated the future-forward focus that career and technical educators bring in giving students the tools they need to join tomorrow’s labor force as more than 450 members and guests gathered at union headquarters on Feb. 12 for the union’s...

Hundreds of students from dozens of high schools across the city learned about union careers and benefits from the New York City unions represented at the UFT Academic High School Division’s ninth annual Future in Focus career fair.