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UFT Begins Negotiations with New York City

The UFT begins its negotiations with New York City and the Department of Education today, Oct. 13, 2022, as members all over New York City wore blue today to mark the date.

Wearing blue for a fair contract

UFT members united in blue on Oct. 13, 2022, in support of a fair DOE-UFT contract.

Pink Day 2022

UFT members across the city wore pink on Oct. 12, 2022, in support of breast cancer awareness.

Municipal unions continue to fight to keep our high-quality health care premium‑free

The following notification was emailed to all members as part of the UFT Update on October 3, 2022.

Wellness Matters: Physical Health - Taking Care of Your Body

Your body will take you through all the stages of your life. Like a properly maintained machine, your body will work more efficiently when it’s well taken care of.

Information about school counselor hours and over-the-phone interpretation

The following information was sent in an email from Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson on Sept. 28, 2022.

How to Avoid Power Struggles

Have you ever wondered how to avoid power struggles at home and in the classroom? In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, we are joined by Chazz Lewis (aka Mr. Chazz), a parent and teacher coach with a huge social media following. A former Montessori teacher and the author of “No Bad Kid,” Mr. Chazz will share his experiences guiding parents and educators in managing difficult situations with children, and he’ll talk about turning interactions from war to peace. Learn how to see children for who they are to better guide them and win their trust as you foster a healthy environment.

Testimony regarding meeting the needs of all students with disabilities

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding meeting the needs of all students with disabilities in our public schools.

FAQ for UFT members employed in the DOE’s Division of Early Childhood Education

FAQ for UFT members employed in the DOE’s Division of Early Childhood Education

What is the new Students with Disabilities (All Grades) state teaching certificate? How do you qualify to obtain this certification?

As of Sept. 28, 2022, the state Education Department created a new Students with Disabilities (All Grades) certificate that permits teachers to teach students with disabilities in pre-K through Grade 12 in New York State public schools. The Students...

Labor Guidance on Strategic Staffing for Student Supports

Excerpt from the June 5 DOE Principals Digest pertaining to general roles for counseling support staff.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

These curriculum materials will help you observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with your students, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South...

Labor Day Parade 2022

More than 700 UFT members marched up Fifth Avenue in the city’s Labor Day Parade, the first one held since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic that hit early the following year. As they waited for their turn to march, the union’s members gathered for a pre-parade celebration.

When we work after our contract expires but before a new one has been instituted, do we still maintain all our rights and terms of employment?

Yes. Under state law governing public employees, the terms of an expired contract stay in effect until a new agreement is reached.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew on Gov. Hochul signing small class size legislation

For decades, New York City parents and teachers have been fighting for lower class sizes. We now have something to celebrate. Governor Hochul has signed the Legislature’s bill that lowers class sizes across New York City. UFT President Michael...

A question after the first day of school

"So what did you learn on the first day of school?"

UFT welcomes new teachers

Brooklyn became the Borough of Teachers on Aug. 29 when newly hired educators went to the Kings Theatre for the opening day of the city Department of Education’s New Teacher Week. Schools Chancellor David C. Banks and UFT President Michael Mulgrew...

Rising health care costs

Long before inflation made a comeback as a national political issue, the cost of health care was marching steadily upward, leaving unions that long ago recognized the value of good coverage battling to protect members from employer demands that they...

A summer of school funding protests

The UFT, together with parents and education advocacy groups, spent the summer keeping the pressure on Mayor Eric Adams to reverse $469 million in school budget cuts for the coming year. But to everyone’s dismay, the school year is starting with the...

Your responsibilities as a paraprofessional

Paraprofessionals play an instrumental role in schools as part of a team providing educational and support services to children. Here are some of the rights and responsibilities that paraprofessionals should know about.

Think before cutting the budget

We need climate change curriculum

Welcome, new teachers!

Beware of larger classes

Getting it all done

Anyone who works in a demanding setting knows that effective time management is a key to success. Here are some ways to set yourself up for a more productive and better year ahead.

Elizabeth Rivera, Lorge School teacher

Elizabeth Rivera has been teaching for 17 years at the Lorge School, a UFT-represented nonpublic, year-round school where teachers are represented by the UFT. The school serves students ages 5-21 who are diagnosed with learning disabilities...

Your union is here for you

UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford writes that we are excited to return to our classrooms to do what we do best after recharging over the summer. And we won’t let budget cuts or layoffs stop us from providing our public school...

Site for sore eyes

The UFT chapter leader of Vision Education Services revamped the program's website for the Department of Education.

Teacher’s Choice for 2022-23 school year

Thanks to the union’s advocacy, UFT-represented educators will be reimbursed for some out-of-pocket expenses through Teacher’s Choice at the same levels as the previous school year. Teachers will once again receive about $250.

Inspiring students to write their stories

My students can express their voices through journal writing, poetry and narrative story writing. I want my students to know their stories don’t have to be confined to their hearts.

S.I. debuts bigger borough office

A new Staten Island borough office that can accommodate more in-house activities had its grand opening on Aug. 31, with UFT President Michael Mulgrew and other union officials on hand.

Termination pay requires address

Checks for termination pay are mailed to the address on file with the city Department of Education. If you have moved since you retired, you must update your address with the DOE.

On Staten Island, it’s game on

The return of in-person card games is one of the most eagerly anticipated fall activities for retirees at the UFT Staten Island borough office, which has reopened in a new barrier-free location on South Avenue that has larger rooms for classes than...

It’s never too late to soar

After 28 years in the New York City public school system, retired teacher Jo-Ann Marks' childhood dream takes flight when she begins a second career with Frontier Airlines.

In unity, transformed

As we measure our own behavior, we are apt to see patterns and motivations. We also see that the role of the human individual is intertwined with others. Sociologists call it group dynamics. In the labor movement, we call it solidarity.