UFT volunteers, including public school parents and members, partnered with local restaurants and food banks to distribute 20,000 meals to hungry New Yorkers. The initiative included events in each of the five boroughs at which 1,000 meals per week were given away in each borough over a four-week period. 

Feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety have been heightened during the pandemic, creating the perfect storm for an increase in substance use and other addictive behaviors. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, Anthony Rizzuto of the Seafield Treatment Center on Long Island, a master social worker, alcoholism and substance abuse counselor and national speaker, will discuss how these stressors can affect you and your loved ones and how best to cope with them. He'll give you strategies for managing emotions without resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms and explain how you can support others in these difficult times.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement about how the COVID-19 test positivity rate should be used when determining whether or not to close school buildings.

The arrival of vaccines against the coronavirus is the news we have been waiting for — the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. But we can’t let that good news lead the city to abandon a careful approach to getting and keeping our schools open.

The year 2020 has been tough. The pandemic has taken a toll on our emotional well-being, whether we have suffered the loss of a loved one or we miss our normal work routines and time spent with family and friends. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, mental health speaker and best-selling author Mike Veny shares the profound mental health journey he has been on since childhood. His insights will help educators to develop tools and techniques for self-care and to support students and their families as they deal with the stresses of the pandemic. Listen in and start 2021 with an outlook that promotes emotional well-being and resilience.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement that the city would remove admissions screens for middle schools in 2021.

The UFT Brooklyn parent and community outreach committee celebrated the winter holidays by providing nearly 200 Brooklyn families with free books, backpacks and other goodies. Through the UFT's First Book program, they handed out about 4,000 books. 

Federation of Nurses/UFT members and school nurses in November attended the UFT’s 41st annual Professional Issues Conference, held virtually for the first time.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement that he would plan to keep public schools open in New York City if the state issues a new "pause" order.

The holidays are a time of joy — and for many, a time of stress and anxiety, too. The year 2020 has brought an array of new challenges, including how to celebrate safely during a pandemic. What is the best way to manage? With careful thought and preparation. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, Jonathan Benz, a New York City-based behavioral health professional, shares tips, strategies and scenarios to help you plan for a safe and celebratory holiday season.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Nov. 29 announced a phased-in reopening plan starting the week of Dec. 7 that will allow elementary school and District 75 students to resume in-person instruction in parts of the city where transmission rates remain low...

The following email was sent on Sunday, Nov. 22, from UFT President Michael Mulgrew to public school parents and caregivers who receive communications from the UFT.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement that New York City public schools would resume full-time remote instruction on Nov. 19, 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives in many ways, affecting everything from work to leisure activities. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, Christine Whelan, who teaches classes on well-being at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, shares strategies for finding your purpose, even during a pandemic. Learn what happens to you when you embrace a purpose mindset and connect to something bigger, and find out how to do that. To learn more about Christine, visit her website at www.christinewhelan.com. 

Tishman Speyer Working with UFT, DOE and SCA to Improve Ventilation Systems and Sources MERV-13 Filters for New York City's Public Schools

So far, the logistical and safety challenges of re-opening schools have been met. But despite enormous efforts by teachers, remote learning — something more than 540,000 kids now rely on all the time, and the rest rely on all or part of the time — is...

Eadie Shanker, a UFT founder and the wife of former UFT President Albert Shanker, died on Sept. 19 at age 87. A teacher, union organizer and city activist, she was dedicated to the UFT Albert Shanker Scholarships.

Important information for new members as they build their careers in education.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to City Hall's announcement that families would have only one opportunity to opt back into blended learning.

In this episode of the Classroom Cafe podcast, we share tips for managing interpersonal relationships during challenging times. Join us as we talk with Krista Rizzo, a transformational life coach, motivational speaker and author who specializes in relationships. To learn more about Krista Rizzo, visit her website at Why Am I Yelling?

Whether through activities associated with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or Wear Pink days, UFT members across New York City have been front and center during October to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

An independent arbitrator overturned New York City’s attempt to avoid paying deferred wages to teachers, ordering the city to pay half the amount owed now and half in the next fiscal year.

The UFT announced that it would go to arbitration over the city's announcement that it would not disburse the final lump-sum payment from the 2014 contract.

The start of this school year poses challenges, concerns and stressors that are unique and different from any other school year. In this episode, three UFT members share their experiences and perspectives on returning to their school buildings and on teaching remotely. Learn strategies for dealing with your own feelings of stress, anxiety and fear from these intrepid New York City educators.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Gov. Cuomo's announcement regarding increased COVID-19 testing in schools.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement that schools in nine Brooklyn and Queens ZIP codes with high rates of coronavirus infection would close.

Grieving the loss of a loved one, whether a family member, friend or colleague, can be complicated and difficult. Grieving during a pandemic is more complicated still. Listen in as Alan Fruzzetti, Ph.D., a psychologist from McLean Hospital and cofounder of the Center for Trauma and Stress Education, shares his insights. While there is no “right” way to grieve, in this episode, we will learn strategies for coping with grief and loss so it isn’t overwhelming.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement on the reopening of elementary schools and the uptick in positive coronavirus cases in the city.

With social distancing guidelines and aggressive health and safety measures in effect, New York City public schools welcomed back thousands of students during a phased reopening.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to news that educators in two schools had tested positive for COVID-19.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to the DOE's announcement that 21 schools would remain closed as of Sept. 8 due to ventilation concerns in their buildings.

Schools need the following equipment and supplies on Sept. 8, 2020.

Under the terms of the agreement, all New York City public school buildings will remain closed to students until Sept. 21, while final safety arrangements are completed, including the assignment of a school nurse to every building, ventilation checks...

The Executive Board of the United Federation of Teachers Monday night unanimously approved a resolution instructing the union’s leadership to continue negotiating with the city with the intention of bringing to the union’s Delegate Assembly tomorrow...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement on the DOE-UFT agreement on blended learning.