Whereas New York City's Public Schools and the students we serve faced an unprecedented heatwave to begin the 2023-2024 school year; and, 

Whereas extended heatwaves and rising temperatures are expected to increase; and, 

Whereas it is understood that the best teaching and learning must take place in suitable, welcoming, and comfortable environments; and, 

Whereas, neither students nor UFT members should be expected to educate or learn in buildings that are under 68° For over 76° F (conditions which can be particularly dangerous for pregnant, and more senior members as well as for students and educators with certain medical conditions); and, 

Whereas some of our larger, older buildings which have completely exposed eastern and southern facades without any shade; which in addition to increased air conditioning, require the installation of window shades and other measures to ensure acceptable temperatures and environments; and, 

Whereas this year, the UFT surveyed all Chapter Leaders during the first week of school in September, 2023 and found over 2,400 rooms with inoperable air conditioning and over 800 rooms that are not equipped with air conditioning; and, 

Whereas the UFT, NYSUT and the AFT have passed resolutions and fought for established safe maximum temperature mandates for all classrooms and offices; and, 

Whereas the UFT has lobbied and advocated for New York City Council to adopt city legislation that provides funding and the commitment to ensure working spaces of UFT members are continually regulated between 68-76° F; and, 

Whereas the UFT and NYSUT have worked with the New York State Legislature numerous times to ensure minimum and maximum temperatures in school buildings and indoor workspaces; and, 

Whereas many UFT Chapters have engaged in budget consultation, filed safety complaints, and organized to secure increased air conditioning in many of our working spaces; therefore, be it 

Resolved, the UFT continue its fight to ensure adequate working conditions and temperatures for all and continue to demand that the City of New York, Department of Education install air conditioning and/or fix inoperable air conditioning units so every room in every building occupied by students and/or UFT members has a regulated and acceptable temperatures between 68-76° F at all times during the workday; and, be it further, 

Resolved, the UFT will continue to advocate the State Legislature and NYC City Council to pass legislation guaranteeing adequate working temperatures in all rooms, in addition to remediation, including but not limited to: relocation or closure until acceptable temperatures are restored; and, be it further, 

Resolved, the UFT will continue to advocate for the School Construction Authority (SCA} to increase and improve efforts in repairing, upgrading, and retrofitting HVAC systems and individual air conditioning units; and be it further, 

Resolved the UFT will advocate and work to identify means by which individual communities can purchase, install and/or repair air conditioning units from central funds dedicated for the sole purpose of installing and repairing air conditioning; and be it further, 

Resolved that the UFT will work with coalition partners on new legislation whose goal is to monitor, standardize, and ensure safe and acceptable air quality, including acceptable temperatures in all UFT working spaces.