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A list of the most commonly asked questions.
UFT Chapter Leaders receive an annual stipend of $6 per member they represent. They also have an opportunity to receive additional funds, based on a points system, if they are more active participants in union matters and meetings.
NYSUT offers a legal services plan that covers wills and a variety of other services, which UFT members are eligible to join. For more information and how to enroll, visit the NYSUT website at: https://memberbenefits.nysut.org/program-service/legal-and-financial/legal-service-plan.
A school's chapter leader and chapter consultation committee has the right to review as well as to provide input into spending decisions. The principal is also required to share school budgetary information with their faculty. To learn more about reading budgets and finding your school's budget online, visit the UFT's budget tutorial online: https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/reading-budgets-tutorial.pdf.
You may find the NYCDOE media consent form here: https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/consent_form_revised35.pdf, and one for any materials filmed in conjunction with the UFT: https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/uft-consent-form.pdf.
They must be signed by a student's parent or guardian and only apply to videos for non-profit usage (educational, public service, health awareness, etc.). Video taping for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.
If you would like that option, teachers may choose to be videotaped during their Initial Planning Conference with their evaluator. Videotaping can’t happen without a teacher’s consent on the form that is handed in during the IPC.
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 for jury duty or jury qualification/selection
- death of family member
- funeral of an associate
- receiving a degree or a graduation ceremony
- appearance on official business
- appearance as disinterested witness
- extraordinary transportation delay
- legislative hearing
- military duty
- quarantine
- requirement of the school system
- religious observance
- school visits and meetings within New York City
View or download the OP-201 form needed to apply for a non-attendance day absence.
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 shall be made for employees requesting time off for the purpose of cancer screening. Requests for such time off must be made in advance and in writing. Approval must be granted by the principal or his/her designee, as long as such request does not substantially disrupt the normal operation of the office/school.
In the event that the office head or principal determines that the number of requests would cause a substantial disruption, then the office head or principal can limit the granting of such excused leave to a reasonable number of staff requesting it on the same day and deny the other requests until a more appropriate time.
Read the DOE's personnel memo detailing this policy »
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 designee, as long as such request does not substantially disrupt the normal operation of the office/school.
In the event that the office head or principal determines that the number of requests would cause a substantial disruption, then the office head or principal can limit the granting of such excused leave to a reasonable number of staff requesting it on the same day and deny the other requests until a more appropriate time.
Such time off shall not be considered paid leave and cannot be charged against any leave the employee is entitled to.
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 develop sustainable cultures that respect teachers and all members as professionals. If the members at your school are interested in participating in PROSE, send an email to prose@uft.org to get more information about the application process.
The deadline for applications for the 2020-2021 school year is Jan. 24, 2020. For more information about the program, see the PROSE section on the UFT website.
Broadway Bridges, a program from the Broadway League in partnership with the UFT, is offering $10 tickets to Broadway shows for 10th-graders and their chaperones. Our shared goal is to provide the opportunity for every New York City public high school student to see a Broadway show before graduation. Participating shows for winter 2020 include “Aladdin,” “Come from Away,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Frozen,” “Mean Girls,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” “Moulin Rouge!” and more. Register online on the Broadway Bridges website for performances from Jan. 8 through April 13, 2020. Ticket requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have questions about the program, please send an email to Robin Aronson at bridges@broadway.org.