The mayor today announced a phased-in reopening plan that will enable elementary school and District 75 students to receive in-person instruction as early as Dec. 7 in parts of the city where transmission rates remain low. At our insistence, the city is implementing much stricter testing measures in all school… Read More

If you’re a teacher (or para) who holds a professional teaching certificate, the UFT wants to ensure you’re meeting the New York State requirements for keeping your certificate active. Teachers who hold professional teaching certificates are required to complete 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits in five-year cycles…. Read More

Are you concerned about paying your student loans? The Student Debt Relief Program, an exclusive member benefit brought to you by the UFT, is here to help. If you are a full-time Department of Education employee, you may be eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Certain teacher… Read More

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits you’ll receive as a UFT retiree? The UFT Pension Department invites you to attend a remote retirement workshop on Dec. 8. UFT Pension Representative Victoria Lee will discuss annual benefits summary booklets, your death benefit and how to get reimbursed for… Read More

Hey! Did you order your UFT Solidarity T shirt or mask? Uft Solidarity does not collect dues and this is our annual fundraising effort to ensure we have our website, member support programs, and election grassroots work paid for. If you don’t want one but still want to donate a… Read More

Dear Mayor de Blasio, Chancellor Richard Carranza, Executive Superintendent Tim Lisante, Superintendent Paul Rotondo: We represent a group of transfer school educators and educators who have worked with at-risk populations across New York City. We demand that the City of New York, the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Post-Secondary… Read More

Hello,Countless UFT members have been ineligible for retro pay if they have taken family leave, paid parental leave, and/or have/adopted babies and must take maternity/paternity leave. We have spoken to a number of UFT members who were denied retro pay and SESIS payments. We are considering filing a class action… Read More

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author of this opt ed are their own and their appearance on the website does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect the view of UFT Solidarity caucus or… Read More

John Lawhead is the Chapter leader at East NY Family Academy. John ran with UFT Solidarity in 2019 for Executive Board and has been a union activist for many years. How Sustainable is the Reopening? Nobody was arguing that remote learning is better than students being in school. The question… Read More

The Board of Regents are expected to decide on the January regents soon. If they do what was done in June and offer waivers to anyone “intending to sit for the January regents”, and if your child has failed ANY previous exams, they will get a waiver. This may open… Read More

Feel free to add more as a comment to this blog post. Questions worth mentioning if you do get selected to speak at the Town Hall (we know things are pre-screened but you never know if you’ll get lucky): 1. Is the UFT pressuring the State to waive state exams… Read More

http://iceuftblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/live-blogging-from-october-virtual.html?m=1 Moment of silence for Elizabeth Languilli and Edie Shanker (wife of Al Shanker) who both passed away. President’s Report Only school system that had mandatory testing until state designated certain other districts to test. Pushed back the opening of school twice because we weren’t ready. DOE guidance on how… Read More

Dear Ms. Norton: We have at least 28 UFT members who have committed to filing a new petition  with a Temporary Restraining Order previously filed under Corwin et. al. v. City of NY<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fdocument%2F475909908%2FSolidarity-Complaint-pdf%23from_embed&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc094e2e38a434ef2536808d860c52a70%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637365747223210065&sdata=taLQxRPd13svYNTOSBRS%2F1%2FBuOIth%2BfpXD1J5kNBlCQ%3D&reserved=0>  demanding a fair remote work accommodation. These dues paying members are paying out of their own pockets… Read More

If you want to join the case, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/xBUkUsG5gezKestf6 Good morning, As an update, we had a hearing yesterday before Justice Dakota Ramseur at 12 noon. Both sides agreed to release the City of New York as a Respondent while leaving the NYCDOE as the proper… Read More

We are seeking new petitioners. BIG NEWS: We are seeking more petitioners for our Article 78 to grant UFT members wider access to the remote work accommodation. In the Article 78 we filed, we argued that the system by which the NYC DOE dispensed remote work accommodations is arbitrary and… Read More

Pushing Back against the DOE Liars Led by UFT Solidarity, five teachers have filed suit asking to be allowed to work from home until the threat of COVID-19 has actually passed. The overwhelming support and solidarity from fellow educators and allies in NYC and beyond has been awe-inspiring and is… Read More

DOE’S FINAL PLAN MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT STAFF ARE NOT TO REPORT TO SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OR HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO ANY PERSON WITH COVID SYMPTOMS. There will be no school for anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or being close to someone who experiences symptoms. If… Read More

Calling all parents! If you have an issue with child care, you may be able to get a 12-week partially paid leave. DOE put out a memo on September 1. You can find it right here. It’s behind a DOE wall, so you need a DOE password. If you don’t work… Read More

Dear Members, Prior to September 8th, please be sure to read and review the following memo from the NYC DOE. We wish to highlight the following key points: 1. Excused Leave at Full Pay- The following category of employees will be eligible for excused leave at full pay without a… Read More