Thanks to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), as citizens we all have the right to government records. Meaning the public has the ability to obtain a wide range of information and data including our public schools. For example, did you know you can order the personnel file for a school principal… Read More

Oftentimes members complain that they do not have a say before the UFT agrees on something on their behalf. From evaluation, ATR and other outside of contract agreements. We now see surveys trickling out from the UFT. We are not sure how they are being sent out, but UFT Solidarity caucus… Read More

Dear Colleagues, As you are aware, in the 2015-16 school year, the Board of Regents and I placed a hold on the use of student performance measures based on the grades 3-8 ELA and math State assessments as part of teacher and principal evaluations which continues through the 2018-19 school… Read More

ATRs, Here we share a simple guide to finding out who did obtain the positions experienced ATRs have applied for. Just follow the steps here and you should be able to see the license and years experience of the employees who did obtain the position you applied for.  If you… Read More

Please find the web version of this guidebook by going here. Read More

Delegate Assembly December 6th, 2017 UFT President Michael Mulgrew’s Remarks Federal Issues: -Moment of silence for two deceased members, delegates including a Bronx librarian -Thank you for Puerto Rico rally, helping to provide water purifiers for Puerto Rico -Tax package looks like it will pass. Tax credits for buying a… Read More

This Week’s Focus Unions defend tenure rights in appeals court hearing Tenure rights of New York teachers were the focus of heated arguments in a Brooklyn courtroom on Nov. 30 as lawyers for the UFT and other unions pressed a state appeals court to dismiss a lawsuit attacking those fundamental… Read More

Are you a staff member or parent who is wondering why schools are consistently hiring fresh out of college teachers and not retaining experienced staff members? Look no further than Robert Gordon. He developed the Fair Student Funding for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein. In sum and… Read More

This is a summary of the DA from November 8th, which had a celebratory tone after the overwhelming victory of the No on Prop 1 campaign which could have negatively affected teachers’ pensions and right. Please note that the discussion below does not imply agreement by UFT Solidarity’s council or… Read More

This Week’s Focus Flip your ballot and vote NO on Prop #1 on Election Day Because there are no hotly contested races at the top of the ticket this year, we anticipate that overall voter turnout will be low on Election Day. That’s why it’s essential that every UFT member… Read More

Why should every NY State resident vote no? By now, anyone who follows NY State politics knows that the Constitution requires a yes or no vote on the possibility of holding a constitutional convention every 20 years. On November 7th, every registered voter in NY state can weigh in on… Read More

This Week’s Focus Call members to remind them to vote NO on the constitutional convention On Nov. 7, New York State voters will vote on a ballot referendum proposing a constitutional convention to amend the state’s constitution. It’s up to us to make sure they understand why it’s important to… Read More

This Week’s Focus UFT files lawsuit to stop charter certification shortcut The UFT and NYSUT filed a lawsuit on Oct. 12 to prevent the weakening of teacher certification standards after the SUNY Board of Trustees Charter Schools Committee voted the previous day to allow some charter schools to create their… Read More

Make sure you’re chapter leader has a consultation team that meets with the principal. Enforce rules and support members.  Read More

This Week’s Focus Lump-sum payment coming in October paycheck Because you have a union that fights for you, all UFT members now on payroll who worked for the Department of Education between 2009 and 2017 are being compensated for the two 4 percent raises that former Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave… Read More

Here is pertinent information from the opening meeting for chapter leaders, held at 52 Broadway on September 27th, 2017. Please note that this is just a record of what was said and does not imply agreement by the UFT Solidarity Causus, especially on the matter of the new evaluation system…. Read More

This Week’s Focus Start the year off on the right foot Welcome back to another school year! It’s important to start the school year off with the basic elements in place to ensure that your members have a voice in your school community and that you have a system in… Read More

This Week’s Focus Nominate your school or a UFT member for a #PublicSchoolProud award When U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos condemned public schools as “failing,” school communities across the city united in a campaign to show her the incredible teaching and learning that takes place every day in our public schools. At… Read More

This Week’s Focus Apply for the UFT Chapter Advocate Program Chapter leaders who would like extra support building their school chapters may apply to the UFT Chapter Advocate Program. A chapter advocate works in collaboration with your district rep to support you and your members in creating a vibrant chapter… Read More