A Rising Sun: The Start of Contract Negotiations
The goal is clear: a fair, just, and representative contract. But achieving that goal will require more than intention. It will demand urgency, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the collective
The clock is ticking. Our contract is set to expire on November 28, 2027, and the stakes could not be higher. What happens next will define not only the working conditions of educators, but the learning conditions of our students. If there is one lesson that can be gleaned from past negotiations, it is this: contracts are not won in isolation, but are built through the collective will, engagement, and power of the membership.
On April 22nd 2026, the UFT delegate assembly passed a resolution to officially start the negotiation cycle by creating a robust and diverse negotiating committee. The UFT will be surveying every member and then the negotiating committee will review those surveys and shape priorities for the upcoming 2027 contract. With each contract negotiation, we have increased the size of the negotiating committee and with it our negotiating power. We evolved from a 400-member team during the 2018 bargaining process to a 500 member negotiating committee in 2022. The plan to expand even further for 2027 is not just a numbers game; it is a strategic necessity. A larger, more inclusive negotiating body strengthens the union’s bargaining position by ensuring that no voice is sidelined and no constituency is overlooked. This expansion translates directly into power at the table.
The foundation of union democracy is the consent of the rank-and-file. Encouraging and utilizing the will of the membership creates an environment where voices are not just heard but respected, where engagement is not passive but active, and where solidarity is built through participation rather than rhetoric. Therefore, just as in 2022, the UFT intends to survey all members to identify needs, shape priorities, and set clear, unapologetic contract demands. This process must be thorough, transparent, and inclusive, as anything less would undermine the very strength we seek to build.
However, none of this matters without action. The negotiating committee must be formed promptly to allow sufficient time to fully equip divisions to advocate, strategize, and push back effectively. Additionally, the UFT must continue to mobilize and elevate collective member action through sustained, member-driven engagement. Organizing efforts, public advocacy, and visible solidarity are not trivial. They are the backbone of any successful negotiation. Real leverage comes from a unified membership that is informed, involved, and, above all, ready to act.
The goal is clear: a fair, just, and representative contract. But achieving that goal will require more than intention. It will demand urgency, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the collective power of the membership. As the sun sets on our current memorandum of agreement, we are presented with a great opportunity. How we deliver for our in-service members this round, while also laying the groundwork for future contractual victories depends on all of us.