UFT Executive Board Notes - 3/23/26

UFT members at Richmond Pre-K fight and win!, Social Media Swarm for Tier 6 March 24-26 at 6:00 PM daily,

MEETING BROUGHT TO ORDER

OPEN MIC SPEAKER

Speaker: Amy Crane, Chapter Leader, Richmond Pre-K Center, Cohort B, Staten Island (District 31)

Summary of Presentation

Amy Crane shared the successful 18-month campaign to remove an ineffective principal from the Richmond Pre-K Center. The effort resulted in the principal’s removal on March 18, 2026, and the appointment of a new Interim Acting Principal.

Key Strategies Employed:

• Organized CAT (Chapter Action Team) with support from UFT Organizer Kristen Brehm

• Parent engagement, particularly special needs families

• Documentation campaign including digital diary of principal behavior

• NYC Public School surveys reflecting school climate concerns

• Vote of No Confidence (96% of chapter voted no confidence in June)

• PEP (Panel for Educational Policy) attendance in October, November, and January with member and parent testimony

• Meeting with Superintendent in December to demonstrate issues across all six sites

• Visit from UFT President Mike Mulgrew in December

• Social media campaign to raise awareness

• Cross-borough support at January PEP meeting in Staten Island

Recognition

The Richmond Pre-K Center will receive the Abe Levine Award for Advocacy at the Early Childhood Conference.

Key Supporters: Sean Rockowitz, Sean Ramos (District Leaders), Kristen Brehm (UFT Organizer), VP for Elementary Schools Karen Alford and President Mulgrew

PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Michael Mulgrew

A. Tier VI Pension Reform Update

Current Status: Negotiations have become “ugly” and challenging

Background:

• Tier VI was implemented by Governor Cuomo as a punitive measure when no unions would negotiate after the 2008 financial crisis

• Current tier requires contributions of 3-6% for up to 30 years (compared to previous 3% for 10 years)

• Retirement age increased from 55 to 63 (8-year change)

UFT Position:

• Pension funds are already overfunded after 14 years of Tier VI

• Reform is needed

• Seeking significant changes: age reduction and contribution reduction

• Will not accept minor compromises (e.g., age 58-59 instead of full restoration)

Current Challenges:

• High actuarial costs being used to pit unions against each other

• State leadership proposing minimal changes

• Need to demonstrate that pension funds don’t require current contribution levels

Action Plan:

1. Social Media Swarm Campaign - March 24-26 at 6:00 PM daily

2. Statewide coordination with NYSUT (4:00 PM call on March 24)

3. Direct constituent pressure on state elected officials

4. Potential weekend visits to legislators before budget vote

5. Message: Vote NO on state budget without significant Tier VI reforms

State Budget Deadline: March 31, 2026 (next Tuesday)

Rally Success: All legislators on record supporting Tier VI reform; now need to deliver

Upcoming Timeline

• Tier VI reform must be resolved with state budget (by March 31)

• POWER (Paraprofessional Respect) bill timing will follow

• POWER bill must align with NYC budget cycle

---

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: Approve Executive Board Minutes from March 9, 2026
Result: Approved unanimously

---

STAFF DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, March 26:

• Labor Seder, 5:00 PM, Brooklyn Borough Office

Friday, March 27:

• College Fair, 9:00-10:00 AM, SUNY Maritime College

Saturday, March 28:

• Chapter Leader Training III, TWA Hotel

• School Counselors Conference, 8:00 AM

Ongoing:

• CST Test Prep through Teacher Center (contact Teacher Center for registration)

Holiday Observances:

• Spring Break begins: First night of Passover Seder

• Religious Observance: DOE approving religious observance for those celebrating Passover

• Any issues with approval should be reported to UFT

• Wishes extended for Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and belated Eid Mubarak

---

QUESTION PERIOD

Question 1: Paid Family Leave Reform

Asked by: Melody Anastasiou, Executive Board At-Large

Question: What steps are being taken to improve paid family leave benefits after Tier VI and POWER bill are resolved?

Response (Staff Director):

• 500+ member contract negotiating committee will be convened soon

• Resolution passed at Executive Board; will be presented at April 22 Delegate Assembly

• Email sent to membership about intention to convene committee

• Negotiating committee will determine priorities and trade-offs

• Costing data from state government will be obtained and shared

Question 2: Science Conference Attendance

Asked by: Tracy Ivanic, Chapter Leader PS 153, District 24, Elementary Executive Board

Question: When will UFT send teachers to NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) conferences?

Response (Mary):

• UFT already sends educators to NSTA conferences

• Funding comes from Teacher Center budget (not visible in ADCOM minutes)

• Turnkey training opportunities available

---

DISTRICT AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic High Schools (Chris Alena, Curtis High School)

• 2026 Academic High School Awards - Friday, May 15, 2026, 52 Broadway

• Nominations now open for colleagues demonstrating dedication to students, union, and profession

• Nomination Deadline: March 31, 2026

District 24 Elementary (Tracy Ivanik, PS 153)

• First Family STEAM Day held Saturday (Queens UFT partnership with Rick Hargrove)

• Approximately 60 attendees including CEC members and District 24 Superintendent

• Two sessions: Tower Challenge and AI Session

• Superintendent requesting additional events

• Thanks to Borough Representative Tabio DaCruz for support

Event Updates:

1. DonorsChoose Workshop

   • Rescheduled to Thursday, May 14, 2026, 3:00-5:30 PM

   • Now virtual format (expanded access)

2. Iftaar Celebration (UFT Uptown)

   • Friday, April 17, 2026

   • Harlem State Office Building

High Schools (Emily James)

Fix Tier 6 Social Media Swarm Details:

• March 24-26 at 6:00 PM

• UFT main channels and borough channels will post content

• Members are encouraged to reshare/repost or create their own content

• Materials include rally photos and clear messaging

• Credit to chapter leaders and members for brainstorming this strategy

District 12 Elementary (Jenny Smith, Bronx)

• Bronx Poetry Slam - April 16, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM

• UFT Bronx Borough Office

• Open to performers, readers, and attendees

District 75 (Andrea Polite, Functional Executive Board)

Joint UFT-DOE Training for Paraprofessionals:

• Highly successful first-time collaboration

• Principals sent three paraprofessionals each

• Training Topics:

  • Time and Attendance (Tanisha Franks)

  • Workers’ Compensation (Junior Linton)

  • Immigration (Katie)

  • Student Trafficking Protection (DOE presenter)

  • Get to Retirement/GTR (Katrina Foyle)

• Paraprofessionals highly satisfied with event

First UFT-DOE District 75 Tenure Celebration:

• Well-attended and successful

• Many first-time visits to Union Hall

• Positive feedback on 360 photo machine and step-and-repeat

• Request for these features at future events

Asian American Heritage Committee (Seung Lee)

• Event held March 23, 2026, 4:32-6:34 PM

• Manhattan Borough Office (thanks to Sandy Wong, Michael DeShields, and administrative staff)

• Focus: Career opportunities for young Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander workers beyond classroom teaching

• Strong CSA (Council of School Supervisors and Administrators) participation

• Thanks to Victoria, Tom, and Pension Department

• Several dozen attendees with excellent photo documentation

District 79 Transfer Schools (Pat Crispino)

• Dylan’s Return: First student detained by ICE returned to school today

• Student is a freshman facing challenges ahead

• Community support requested

Academic High Schools VP Report (Janella Hines)

Women’s History Month Events:

1. Herstory Event (Bronx UFT, ~March 13)

   • Cosmetology services by Maxwell High School (Brooklyn) students

   • Workshop on boundary setting and self-care for activists

2. Women’s History Month Brunch (March 23, 52 Broadway)

   • Partnership with NYC Central Labor Council

   • Multi-union women leaders discussed challenges, leadership, and succession

   • Highlighted Dolores Huerta’s 60-year-held secret about harassment in United Farm Workers

   • Emphasized importance of creating safe union spaces while fighting for workers’ rights

J. Child Care Providers (Tammy Miller)

• Partnership Event with United Nations - Wednesday, March 18, 2026

• Theme: “Justice for Women and Girls”

• Expected 50 attendees; actual attendance ~150

• Recognized child care providers and teachers including Servia Silva and Faiza

• Planning for expanded event next year

K. AI Development Program ( Leo Gordon, VP Career and Technical Education)

• Cohort 1 Demo Day held this weekend in Long Island City

• UFT staff developed apps specifically for union use

• Apps being secured for intellectual property before production

• Program expanding beyond classroom applications to organizational tools

---

VII. LEGISLATIVE REPORT

No separate legislative report; covered in President’s Report

---

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to Adjourn: Approved
Next Meeting: April 13, 2026 (after Spring Break)

---

CLOSING REMARKS

Michael Sill wished all members a great spring break and reminded attendees of the April 13 meeting date.