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Automatic TRS pensions won for full-time paras
Decades of UFT advocacy bore fruit for the union’s paraprofessionals on Oct. 29 as a newly enacted state law guaranteed all UFT-represented full-time paraprofessionals — on the job now and in the future — will automatically become members of the...
400-member contract team to be formed
UFT President Michael Mulgrew told delegates at the Delegate Assembly on Nov. 17 that the union plans to seek extensive member input to help shape priorities for upcoming negotiations on the next contract and health care.
UFT helps reverse para shortage
A Herculean effort by the UFT helped turn the largest-ever shortage of New York City public school paraprofessionals into a record number of new paras joining the ranks.
UFT members, parents fight for classroom occupancy limits
Thousands of UFT members and parents came together this fall to press the City Council to pass groundbreaking legislation that would reduce class sizes in city public schools by a quarter to a third. The union gathered nearly 40,000 signatures in...
Born ‘leaders’
Three current UFT chapter leaders in District 22 in Brooklyn follow in the footsteps of family members whose dedication and hard work as chapter leaders inspired the next generation.
Kudos to Alaa Yousef, Park Slope Collegiate
Alaa Yousef was elected chapter leader at Park Slope Collegiate in Brooklyn this October, and in her first action in that role, she used the operational issues complaint process to get her members paid for instructional lunch periods. When those...
Happy coats-giving!
The UFT hosted an afternoon of food, fun and free coats for students experiencing homelessness at its Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 20, when more than 130 children filled Shanker Hall at UFT headquarters in Manhattan.
‘Every doll has a story’
Retired elementary school teacher Loretta Nardone never outgrew her childhood love of dolls. Instead, she took her collection of dolls from around the world into her classrooms, where she incorporated them into lessons about different cultures and...
Growing the Garden State
Building an RTC section can take time, but there are ways to make sure the building blocks are in place. Judy Rosenstein, coordinator of the New Jersey section, says the Si Beagle courses are an important part of the process.
Psychologists Appreciation Day
Nearly 400 school psychologists attended this year’s Psychologists Appreciation Day on Nov. 12, the chapter’s first hybrid event featuring workshops on assistive technology and intelligence assessments.
Teacher shortages abruptly close schools
Schools around the United States are canceling in-person instruction with very little notice due to staffing issues, including teacher shortages and staff fatigue, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Amazon workers get second chance to unionize
Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, will have another chance to unionize after the National Labor Relations Board authorized a revote after its review found the online shopping giant had improperly interfered in the first election.
Bloomberg backs charter school expansion
Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, is financing efforts to expand charter schools around the country with $750 million from his $70 billion fortune.
Reviewing 2021
This year, the new New York City Medicare Advantage Plus Plan conspired to pull us apart. But the unity of spirit of UFT retirees is stronger than any such stresses.
A classroom that feels like home
"The decor and ambiance in my classroom have little touches to make it feel like home — things like curtains on the windows, beanbag chairs in our carpeted area and decorative lights. I try to address all five senses, like using air freshener to make...
Working relationships with colleagues are vital
Whether you co-teach on a regular basis or sit on the same grade or subject team as other educators, you have a host of colleagues who can be your allies and support network.
High school seniors may apply for Shanker scholarships
Make sure high school seniors apply for the UFT’s $5,000 Albert Shanker college scholarships. This year the application deadline is Feb. 28, 2022.
‘I want to be him’
New teacher Gabrielle Vega was drawn to her 8th-grade social studies teacher's flair for the dramatic, and her affinity for theatrics is serving her well as she teaches that subject at MS 936 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, a District 20 middle school...
Virtual Parent Conferences
Four UFT fall parent conferences in October and November, held virtually for the second consecutive year, drew nearly 350 parents and featured workshops, speakers, resources and surprises.
Future in Focus college and career fair
Nearly two thousand educators and their students logged on for the UFT’s Future in Focus virtual college and career fair on Oct. 21 and 22, when representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities helped participants explore the...
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.
UFT Middle School Division’s Anti-Bullying Conference
Students from 105 schools registered for the UFT’s citywide Anti-Bullying Conference, held virtually on Oct. 28, which focused on conflict resolution strategies and how to be an upstander, or someone who intervenes or stands up for a person who is...
State judge issues ruling on NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan
The UFT is pleased that the judge has made a ruling that the effective date of the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan will be April 1, 2022. This later start date will ensure that UFT members and health care providers have enough time to be made aware...
UFT on the selection of David Banks as New York City Schools Chancellor
UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Eric Adams' announcement that David Banks would become the next New York City schools chancellor.
NYC, slash class sizes now
The New York City Council bill to reduce class sizes in our public schools is designed to protect our children’s health and their academic prospects by ensuring adequate space for every student in every classroom.
UFT launches TV ad campaign honoring the work of school communities during the pandemic
The UFT is launching a television ad campaign honoring the work that New York City public school educators, parents, and students have done together during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A new update about the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan
Due to the ongoing litigation, the UFT strongly voiced its opinion that the New York City Medicare Advantage Plus Plan should not take effect until an orderly transition and continuity of services for retirees can be guaranteed.
A Day of Action for smaller class sizes
Educators at schools across the city participated in a Day of Action at their schools on Dec. 1 and 2 to encourage City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to bring the bill that would lower NYC class sizes to a vote.
An update about the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus plan
A court hearing was held on Nov. 23 before a state judge presiding over the lawsuits involving the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan. Nothing was decided. The two sides agreed to continue to talk and will go back before the judge on Dec. 8.
Members’ pandemic efforts lauded on Teacher Union Day
"You have all gone above and beyond the call of duty," UFT President Michael Mulgrew said at the UFT's annual Teacher Union Day on Nov. 7 that honored the courage and hard work of members during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Resolution opposing Intro 2211 on school safety agents
The UFT urges City Council Committee on Education to amend Intro 2211 to not transfer authority over school safety agents to DOE authority.
Resolution strengthening our commitment to lower class size and hold the NYC DOE accountable for enforcement of class size reduction
We have a City Council that is considering passing a once-in-a-generation bill that would make physical space per student into administrative code, to make it the city’s responsibility to give each child the physical space they deserve to remain safe...
Reducir el número de estudiantes en cada salón de clase en la ciudad de Nueva York
La pandemia de COVID-19 lo ha dejado claro: el número de estudiantes en cada salón de clase ahora sabemos que es un problema de salud pública. El consejo municipal está considerando un proyecto de ley que establecería nuevos límites sobre el número...
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is commemorated annually on December 1 to bring people together worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. We have compiled lessons and curriculum units...
Teacher Union Day 2021
The first hybrid Teacher Union Day was held on Nov. 7, 2021, with 234 people, including honorees and their families, attending in person to celebrate union activism in Shanker Hall at UFT headquarters in Manhattan while 592 members joined the festivities online.