“More Money for Paraprofessionals” – It's A Matter of Justice
UFT members are on the move and building power for Paraprofessional Respect
One of the most disturbing issues facing the United States is the growing gap between the incredibly wealthy billionaire class and the working people who are becoming increasingly frightened by a trip to buy groceries. I'm talking about our millions of elderly, living on Social Security without a pension, who are already making the literally sickening choice between medication and rent, or our students who rely on free school breakfast and lunch to survive. I've often expressed how our public schools are a vortex of social, economic, and political forces – a microcosm reflecting what is happening in these United States. We need to address this now!
The fact is that the take-home pay gap between school administrators and Paraprofessionals has NEVER BEEN GREATER – especially in District 75, where a twelve-month school year is the norm. The top pay for principals runs between $186,319.00 in the first year to over $219,116.00 with a longevity pay-increase, as of January 29, 2025. That's not including per session or Chapter 683. Paraprofessionals start at $31,087. Seriously? Our Paraprofessionals do the hard work that is needed to fill our students' lives with dignity; to foster respect and success for them. I know a class of Pre-K children where the one Classroom Paraprofessional is literally changing thirty-six diapers a day, with a smile and a kind word for everyone. I know another where the student is challenged by extraordinarily aggressive behaviors, yet the Paraprofessional earned his trust and respect through patience and love. That student, now a teenager, is making extraordinary progress, and has said that his Paraprofessional is like the father he never knew. Our Paraprofessionals are making miracles happen every day, and they are more than deserving of the right to a decent salary. The extra $10,000 a year is not enough, but it's a start.
“While my mother taught me that you earn respect what I’ve learned as a unionist I say we take that respect!”
David Doorga (UFT D75 Representative) at the Para Respect Rally
Certain forces in our country seem to be determined to force us back into the Middle Ages, where the royalty and nobility had all the money and power, while the vast majority of people did the work and could barely afford to keep body and soul together. Did you know that when one-third of working Americans belonged to Unions, a time known as the 'Great Compression', income inequality in our country was at one of its lowest levels in history? Let's remind the politicians that America is still a place where we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed.
Sign the petition below so we can start to make the lives of our Paraprofessionals better, and so that we can send a clear message that we are not willing to return to the Middle Ages. We are the UFT, we are doing what's right and just, and we don't bow down to anyone. Remember, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," as Burke said. If you’ve already signed the paraprofessional petition, if you rallied on April 2nd, you can help keep the focus on getting our paras that Respect Check by emailing your city council member now. Here are the links to both. Act now... before it's too late.
Unity’s Fight for: MORE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
So…when we won 6 weeks of paid parental leave back in 2018 I was so excited. Both my daughters were born before we had any real leave in place and I had to exhaust my sick days and then my savings in order to survive. Today, UFT members can take 12 weeks and be paid, but they still need to use sick time to get the full pay after the 6 weeks we won.
It seems like we set the stage for other unions to fight and win. Now; we want more. We deserve to have 12 weeks parental leave WITHOUT using our sick days. It will be a fight; but we did it once, we can do it again.
We spend our lives caring for other people’s children and we deserve more when it comes to caring for our own.
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