UFT

Last week, I was proud to join @DOEChancellor Kamar H. Samuels and the P.S. 75 Emily Dickinson community for the ribbon cutting of the new @UFT Teacher Center at PS75. This investment in our educators will strengthen support for teachers and staff—and in turn, create

At last week’s Delegate Assembly, UFT President Michael Mulgrew recognized the staff of PS 35 in Queens for winning a precedent-setting union animus grievance. Chapter Leader Jon Licata addressed the DA, outlining the principal’s actions and the steps that the school staff took to advocate for themselves. He was joined by his colleagues Sean Gallagher, Rachel Holt and Ramona Polanco, who represented the 24 staff members who stood together and signed on their support to the grievance. The UFT Central grievance staff and the UFT Queens office supported our members throughout the process. This arbitration victory reaffirms a critical right: union members cannot be retaliated against for union activity. It describes clearly that chapter leaders have the right to have a consultation committee, to hold union meetings and to do the work of the union without being retaliated against. We’re proud to see union members take action to defend their rights and to have this arbitration recognize they cannot be retaliated against for doing so!

Once again, there have been major problems with state testing technology that has disrupted students and our members. NYSED must take action to fix these electronic testing issues once and for all. We will update you on any solutions they provide as soon as the information is available.

Congratulations, Council Member-elect Carl Wilson!

Join us on Friday, May 1 at 4 PM, at Washington Square Park with union siblings across NYC. @CentralLaborNYC @thenyic @AFLCIO Register here: bit.ly/may-day-nyc

For nearly 30 years, including 12 as a TRS board member, Tom Brown’s efforts have helped all UFT members achieve a financially secure retirement. That’s why on February 11, the UFT Delegate Assembly endorsed Tom for reelection with 83% of the vote. Read why the UFT supports Tom for the upcoming May 13 TRS elections: bit.ly/3OPrD1h

Manhattan - remember to vote tomorrow if you live in District 3! The UFT Delegate Assembly endorsed @CarlMichaelW for City Council 🗳️ Get out the vote!

Another beautiful afternoon talking to voters with @CarlMichaelW, this time to close out early voting with @rweingarten and @UFT. Our educators know what it takes to serve New Yorkers. That’s why they’re joining so many of us in supporting Carl, a true public servant, for Council District 3.

Yesterday’s Community Food Expo showed what community care looks like in action—distributing 500+ lbs of fresh produce to hundreds of families. Grateful to PS 19Q, @UFT United Community Schools, our partners, and my team. Food justice is dignity, access, and health. 🥗

Meet one of your fellow UFT members, Matthew Colacurto! As a teacher at a Pathways to Graduation program in Manhattan, Colacurto helps to prepare noncompulsory students ages 17 to 21 for the high school equivalency exam. Pathways to Graduation is part of District 79, with about 80 locations throughout the city. Learn more about these schools and the educators that keep them running in this What I Do story: uft.org/news/member-sp…

Join us for the UFT's premier annual event, the Spring Education Conference, a day of camaraderie and professional development at the New York Hilton Midtown on Saturday, May 16. Enjoy workshops on scaffolding materials for ELLs and explore the diverse histories highlighted in the NYC Schools Hidden Voices Project. The deadline to register is Friday, May 1! Get tickets here: bit.ly/48722qV

Reminder: as educators our pensions are protected. The only people who can actually make decisions about our pensions are the elected TRS trustees. For over 100 years the TRS has made choices on how to maintain our pension system with one guiding principle: keep our pensions strong. That commitment continues. Don't let anyone mislead you. Our pension is guaranteed by the New York State constitution.

@vmmaloney Thanks for being with us!

Grateful to join the @UFT. The work our teachers do every day is invaluable and they deserve our full support and advocacy.

We will not be silent. Join the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the New York Immigration Coalition and union and community members from across the city as we come together to commemorate International Workers’ Day. May Day is a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of workers throughout history who fought for safety, dignity and justice on the job. Today, we carry that legacy forward. We stand united in our commitment to building a better future for ALL workers. Our solidarity is our strength. Together, we are part of a global movement standing up to the forces that seek to undermine workers’ rights and freedoms.

With starting salaries of just $32,500, too many paraprofessionals can’t afford to live in the city they serve. That’s why our Council has reintroduced the RESPECT Act and is working hard to get you the pay you deserve. Today and every day, I’m proud to stand with @UFT and the nearly 200,000 educators serving our students and schools.

President Mulgrew advocated for our paraprofessional RESPECT bill at this morning’s annual City Council breakfast. Each year we present our city budget priorities directly to council members at UFT Headquarters. City Council Speaker Julie Menin echoed her support for the RESPECT check during her address. All of us are united and we're locked in until we get this over the finish line! Now if we could just get a state budget…

The current NYS Foundational Aid formula is not treating NYC students fairly.

April is #AutismAcceptanceMonth! This month and always, promoting inclusion, awareness and acceptance makes our school communities thrive.

Manhattan voters in City Council District 03!🚨Early-voting is OPEN! Support the needs of educators & students by voting for @CarlMichaelW, a proven leader, community organizer & City Council veteran. Early voting is open through April 26. Election Day is April 28! #UFTvotes

Happy Administrative Professionals Day and thank you to the secretaries, assistants and clerical workers who keep our school communities running each day. We appreciate you!