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UFT statement on New York State coronavirus school closing policy

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to the state's newly released policy on school closings related to the coronavirus.

School Counselors Conference 2020

The 16th annual School Counselors Conference at UFT headquarters, Manhattan, brought counselors together on March 7 to celebrate the positive change they bring to New York City public schools.

Lunar New Year Banquet 2020

About 220 UFT members and retirees gathered at a Chinatown restaurant on March 6 for the annual Lunar New Year Banquet organized by the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee.

Hearing Officers Chapter election results

On March 3, the ballots were counted in the special chapter election to create five new borough coordinator positions for the Hearing Officers Chapter. By an overwhelming majority, 97 percent of those who voted approved the new positions. Members...

UFT charter school seeks to become a regular public school

The Board of Trustees of the UFT Charter High School in Brooklyn has voted to bring the school under the supervision of the city’s Department of Education as a regular public school, giving up its charter.

Together We Make a Difference

Together we make a difference: transforming student-teacher relationships through functional fitness, with Libby Douglass, a CrossFit coach at CrossFit Wall Street and Jackie Boyle, a NYC public school teacher. Hear about the benefits of using exercise in the classroom and ways to incorporate exercise into your daily classroom routine. Learn more about the UFT’s Member Assistance Program and check out resources for new teachers at Member Assistance Program.

UFT position on Medicaid redesign

New York City cannot absorb $1.1 billion in new Medicaid costs as part of the state’s efforts to shift its own financial responsibilities onto local communities.

Request a copy of Form 1095-B

Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, is a tax form that reports the type of health coverage you have, any dependents covered by your insurance policy and the period of coverage for the prior year. In accordance with the federal Patient Protection and...

New state poll shows New Yorkers overwhelmingly favor higher taxes on the wealthy to deal with state budget deficit

A new survey conducted by the national polling firm Hart Research Associates shows that more than 90% of registered voters questioned across New York State are in favor of proposed new taxes on billionaires and ultra-millionaires, along with taxes on...

African Heritage Committee Awards Dinner 2020

UFT members celebrated African heritage and honored students and colleagues at the 17th annual UFT African Heritage Committee Awards Dinner on Feb. 7 at Antun’s in Queens Village. This year’s theme was “Stand up and be counted!”

CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony 2020

More than 70 outstanding CTE educators were celebrated by their union, their colleagues and special industry partners at the 2020 CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony on Feb. 7 at UFT headquarters in Manhattan.

Hearing Officers (per session) Chapter meeting: Feb. 3, 2020

Read the notes from our Feb. 3 chapter meeting. We updated members on issues affecting our chapter and the union as a whole.

Chapter member spotlight: Our physical therapist of the year

Every year, we ask you to nominate a colleague who does outstanding work. We heard about some truly remarkable therapists, including Victor Barangan, who works in PS 229 in Queens.

Getting Ready to Launch

Getting Ready to Launch with Gisele Noisy-McBride, UFT Teacher Center. How can you set yourself up for a successful school year? Hear about steps you can take to focus your actions and beliefs.

Teachers mount statewide bus tour for increased school aid

As New York State faces tough budget challenges, the New York State United Teachers will bring its “Fund Our Future” statewide bus tour to two stops in New York City on Friday, Jan. 24.

Mulgrew visits PS 811, Queens

UFT President Michael Mulgrew met with staff at PS 811 in Queens on Jan. 22 to discuss various education and union issues and also checked in on members during a tour of the building.

Clinicians Appreciation Day 2020

Hundreds of social workers and psychologists spent a snowy Saturday at UFT headquarters attending professional development sessions about test anxiety, LGBTQ inclusive schools and more at their UFT chapter’s 14th annual Clinicians Appreciation Day.

Mulgrew visits John Dewey HS, Brooklyn

UFT President Michael Mulgrew met with educators at John Dewey HS in Gravesend, Brooklyn, to update them on political and educational news and to learn about the school’s innovative programs.

School Secretaries Seminar 2020

School secretaries came from every corner of the city to UFT headquarters on a Saturday for a day of professional development, networking and mutual support.

UFT's United Community Schools one of eight winners of 2019 federal school improvement grant

United Community Schools, a program run by the United Federation of Teachers, has won a $2.3 million five-year federal grant to provide additional mental health services, restorative practices and after-school programming at three of its Bronx...

What are the rules for borrowing/taking out a loan from my retirement/pension funds?

As a UFT member, you have two sources from which to borrow money. If you are in pension tiers 3, 4 or 6, you can borrow from your Qualified Pension Plan (QPP) against your Member Contribution Accumulation Fund and against part of your additional...

I am a paraprofessional and I received a termination notice from the DOE because I have not completed all of my certification requirements. What can I do to meet these requirements before I am let go?

First, log on to your New York State Education Department TEACH account to find out what requirements you are missing. If you received a notice of termination for lack of college credits, you can apply annually between Feb. 1 and March 31 to the DOE...

What is the SHIP health insurance program for retired teachers?

The Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a unique package of benefits developed by the Retired Teachers Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT-RTC) exclusively for its members. It provides a supplement to coverage available...

What is the address and what are the hours of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)?

The offices of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) are located at: 55 Water Street New York, NY 10041 (888) 869-2877 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5pm Directions: 2/3 to Wall Street, 4/5 to Bowling Green Station, J to Broad Street or R/W to...

How can I get discounted tickets to Broadway shows and theater tickets?

All full-time teachers, school staff, union members and retirees may be eligible to join the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). Once you qualify for membership, you can purchase deeply discounted tickets to Broadway, off-Broadway and other performances...

In my recent paycheck, salary step adjustments were made and it seems like my pay has been frozen. Why is this?

UFT instructional employees who are rated via the Advance system may have their pay frozen if they received an Ineffective/I rating for the previous school year. Employees paid below Step 8B and who received an Ineffective rating for a particular...

Does the UFT have a program for members suffering from the Hepatitis C virus?

The UFT Welfare Fund has negotiated a new program with EmblemHealth to help UFT-represented employees suffering from the Hepatitis C virus. The program gives access to best-in-class care, while eliminating the hundreds of dollars in drug copays...

I am an occupational therapist/physical therapist. What are my retention rights for taking a leave? Do I have the right to return to my school after my leave is over?

As a result of the 2018 DOE-UFT contract, occupational therapists/physical therapists on a leave have the right to return to their school if the leave is for one year or less. A therapist on a leave should reach out to their supervisor at some point...

Where can I find more information about the new New York State Next Generation standards?

NYSED has published a series of informative briefs in preparation for schools to use the Next Generation standards, which can be found on the NYSED website here: http://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/linguistically-diverse-learners-and-n…...

Is it possible to request a pension consultation with a specific person or consultant of my choosing?

Yes, you may request an appointment with a specific pension consultant by name, but it is not a guarantee that you will be able to schedule a consultation with that person. To schedule a consultation at your borough office, call 212-331-6311

If eligible to receive the "Hard to Staff" (HTS) salary differential, what requirements are necessary to keep receiving the differential?

If a teacher or other pedagogue earning a hard-to-staff salary differential is rated Ineffective or Unsatisfactory after the completion of their first school year, and they remain in an eligible position, the differential shall be frozen for the...

What is the "hard to staff" (HTS) salary differential?

The hard-to-staff (HTS) salary differential is designed to target employees in designated teaching licenses and/or other UFT-represented titles within specific schools. The HTS salary differential is part of the Bronx Plan – a joint initiative...

Teachers at my school are interested in applying to become a PROSE school. What's the program all about and how can we apply?

PROSE stands for "Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence." PROSE is driven by collaboration and innovation, and the schools that become PROSE schools have opportunities to implement new ideas, share their work with other schools and...

Can I take time off work to donate blood? Will it count against my CAR/sick time?

Employees who wish to donate blood off-site during working hours are to be granted up to three hours unpaid leave on an annual basis. Requests for time off must be made in advance and in writing. Approval must be granted by the principal or his/her...

If I need to get screened for cancer, do I need to use my sick time/CAR days? If I need to leave work for a cancer screening, is it paid or unpaid time?

Leaving work for the purpose of cancer screening for up to four hours per year is considered paid leave and you do not have to use your sick time. This time is allowable for all types of cancer screenings. Accommodations will be made for DOE...

What is considered a "non-attendance" day?

There are certain reasons that a member may be absent from work but still be paid, and without being required to use a CAR day, that are called “non-attendance” days. Here are the reasons you may be able to apply for a non-attendance day: appearance...