UFT September Executive Board Meeting

Class Size and Staffing, Raises, Cell Phone Ban, New Teacher Week, Labor Day Parade, Healthcare...

Opening Reports and Updates

The September Executive Board meeting began with remarks from Michael Sill, who delivered an update on class size. He reported that of the 3,700 new teaching positions funded, 3,350 had already been filled. Importantly, this progress had not significantly increased the number of vacancies citywide.

Sill also reminded members that the new raise would go into effect on Sunday, September 14, though it would not appear in the September 15 paycheck. Instead, members would see the raise reflected — retroactively — in the September 30 paycheck.

President’s Report

President Michael Mulgrew opened his remarks by thanking members for making the Labor Day Parade a resounding success. It was joyful, energetic, with a strong UFT presence alongside many elected officials

Politics:

• With the city moving quickly toward the general election, he shared that he had been receiving calls from colleagues and allies across the country. Observers nationwide are watching New York’s mayoral race closely, noting that a small group of wealthy donors appears to be attempting to control the outcome.

• Nationally, he raised concerns about an aggressive push to tie billions of federal dollars to a national voucher program. Though this effort had been in the background for some time, he explained that proponents have now escalated their strategy, requiring the union to increase vigilance and prepare for sustained opposition. He also noted that new groups, flush with millions of dollars in funding, are already preparing attacks on the UFT.

On healthcare, Mulgrew highlighted several upcoming events and developments:

• A town hall on Tuesday, September 9 will provide members with details about the proposed healthcare package, which is before the entire Municipal Labor Committee.

• A special Delegate Assembly on Monday, September 29 will allow for further discussion and a vote.

• The contract was distributed to technical teams across all unions, with sensitive, proprietary rate information redacted by the City Comptroller. While such details are withheld, all plan designs, benefit structures, and cost information remain fully public. Information can be found at UFT.org/healthcareinfo

He stressed that the proposed agreement represents a historic achievement: five years of premium-free coverage paired with expanded provider networks — an unprecedented benefit package that would make UFT members among the only workers in the nation with such protections.

He also addressed the rollout of the cell phone ban, acknowledging that while the policy is in effect, it will be tested by students who naturally push boundaries. He praised the union’s safety team for their constant coordination with the Department of Education. Unlike the DOE’s tendency to hear only “everything’s great” from superintendents, Mulgrew emphasized that the UFT is working to ensure honest communication and real problem-solving.

The year will not be easy, he warned, with political battles, healthcare negotiations, and new DOE policies all demanding vigilance. But he also struck an optimistic tone: “We want to get healthcare — five years premium free. We want to stop scrambling every year, fighting with the city and insurance companies. We want an increase in our benefits. This is too big an opportunity to miss.”

He praised the union’s ongoing practice of fielding every question from members and answering them transparently, even as critics attempt to politicize the process. Ultimately, he said, this healthcare package — with its guarantee of five years of premium-free coverage and massive expansion of provider access — is a testament to the union’s strength.

Karen Alford, Vice President for Elementary Schools, began her report with an enthusiastic welcome to the union’s newest members and offered heartfelt thanks to everyone who made New Teacher Week a success.

Alford shared that her team had spent the entire summer planning the program to ensure that new educators entered the school year with confidence, resources, and a strong sense of union support. This year’s event marked a shift in tone and scale: after years of holding it in high school auditoriums, the UFT partnered with the DOE to host the celebration at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which gave the event a more professional and welcoming setting.

The priorities were clear, she explained:

1. Meet every new educator personally.

2. Answer their questions fully and honestly.

3. Enroll them in the union.

While the DOE staffed four tables at the event, the UFT operated twelve tables, and the difference was striking. New hires gravitated toward the union, often bypassing DOE staff in order to connect with UFT representatives. “The folks wanted to be with us,” she explained. Many were nervous but excited, and above all eager to know they were not alone.

To support them, the UFT distributed new member handbooks — both in print and digitally. Alford noted that a small error in the print version had been corrected online, ensuring complete accuracy. Additional copies are available at borough offices for chapter leaders who would like to share them in their schools.

What made the event most successful, Alford emphasized, was the union’s visible presence. Specialists from across UFT departments were on hand, ready to answer questions on everything from benefits to classroom challenges. “It made the difference,” she said, because new teachers left not only with answers but with the reassurance that their union was by their side from the very start of their careers.

She encouraged chapter leaders and delegates to carry that spirit back to their schools: greet new members, help them settle into the profession, and continue nurturing the relationships established at Barclays. “We all remember what it’s like to be a first-year staff member,” Alford reminded the board.

Finally, she urged everyone to make sure new members complete their membership cards, which secure their place in the union. She closed by thanking her team and colleagues for their hard work, and was met with warm applause and affirmations: “Great job, Karen.”

Rich Mantell, Vice President for Middle Schools, gave his report with an eye toward two important annual initiatives. Just three days into the new school year, his team was already deep in planning for the Middle School Anti-Bullying Conference, a longstanding UFT program that brings together students from across the city to learn strategies for creating safer, more supportive school environments.

An email will soon go out to guidance counselors in every middle school, inviting them to send between 8 and 12 students to the UFT headquarters on Thursday, October 23. The conference will feature a full day of workshops on critical topics, including:

• How to recognize the signs of bullying

• How to intervene safely and pull someone away from harm

• How to shift from being a bystander to an upstander

Mantell underscored the importance of this work by citing a troubling statistic: one in three middle school students reports experiencing harassment.

Looking further ahead, Mantell reminded members to mark their calendars for the annual Thanksgiving Coat Drive on Friday, November 22. The UFT will once again collect new coats for children ages 3 to 18, ensuring that students in need have warmth during the winter months.

Carl Cambria, Executive Board–At-Large,.

Cabria thanked the UFT Healthcare Committee, which he praised for its tireless efforts throughout the summer. Meeting multiple times during the break, the committee worked diligently to bring the new healthcare agreement across the finish line, ensuring it would be ready for consideration by the Delegate Assembly on September 29. He made a point to recognize the committee’s members—both those present and those unable to attend—for their commitment and persistence.

He reported that last week’s information session on the healthcare plan was well attended and received highly positive feedback. That event sparked a wave of follow-up: members asked new questions and requested more details on previously raised issues. FAQ section on the UFT website, continues to be updated regularly. Cabria encouraged everyone to review it and to direct members there when questions arise.

He highlighted the collaborative work of staff who have been “working around the clock” to ensure accurate information is available. In addition, the UFT Healthcare Instagram page has seen a surge of new followers since the plan was announced. That platform, along with direct messages, emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations, has become an important tool for responding quickly to member concerns.

The goal, Cabria emphasized, is clear: getting the facts into members’ hands. Each time a member has a one-on-one conversation and understands the details, they come away better informed and more inclined to support the plan. Looking ahead, Cambria underscored the importance of the upcoming healthcare town hall, scheduled for the next day. Already, more than 10,000 members had registered, and the number was still climbing. He encouraged everyone present to attend if they had not yet experienced one of these sessions and urged them to bring along chapter leaders and delegates who might still have questions. The town halls, he said, are essential opportunities for members to hear the facts directly and to feel confident when casting their votes.

With continued effort, Cabria expressed confidence that delegates would come to the September 29 meeting fully prepared to make an informed decision.

Question Period

Tracy Ivank, newly seated on the Executive Board She asked leadership to emphasize how the proposed healthcare improvements would expand networks, ensuring that students studying outside the city would have better access to care

George Geist, Executive Board member for Middle Schools,thanked leadership for the cell phone ban, noting that it had already created a calmer, more pleasant classroom environment. He also praised the enforcement of class size limits, explaining that with fewer than 23 students in middle school rooms, the teaching atmosphere now felt “like a private school.” Geist raised two pressing concerns: parking shortages for staff and the ongoing need to address Tier 6 pension reform.

Mike Sill acknowledged that parking remains a longstanding challenge. Past distribution is based strictly on the number of available spaces, and despite repeated efforts over the years, the Department of Transportation has resisted creating additional school-specific spots, citing concerns about “dart-out accidents” involving children crossing between parked cars. While an immediate solution is unlikely, the issue remains a priority, particularly in hard-to-staff schools where transportation difficulties often exacerbate staffing shortages. Leaders stressed the need to explore alternative solutions and committed to continuing conversations with the DOE.

On the question of Tier 6, efforts remain underway to achieve an age 55 retirement, and leadership pointed to the work of member action teams last year as laying the groundwork for renewed political pressure this year. While challenges remain, they affirmed that reforming Tier 6 continues to be one of the union’s top legislative goals.

District and Borough Reports

• Sally Famularo reported on APPR ratings, noting that over 95% of teachers were rated effective or highly effective this year. APPR COMPLAINTS- Deadline end of 9/8/25. She encouraged all teachers to attend upcoming MOSL information sessions.
  

• Priscilla Castro celebrated a contract win for paraprofessionals, securing four days of professional development for new hires. Twice a month from Sept - Oct.
  

• Sean Rockowitz summarized borough trainings held on Wed. 8/24/25, for school-based representatives, ensuring leaders were well-prepared for the year.

• Tricia Arnold, Executive Board–At-Large, provided an update on the union’s organizing initiatives. Over the summer, two major training programs were held to strengthen members’ and leaders’ skills. The first was an intensive session led by Rank and File UFT members using the Labor Notes curriculum designed in partnership with the NEA for a core group of organizers. The second, training was designed by UFT and welcomed chapter leaders, paraprofessional representatives, and delegates. This training also included activities from rhe Secrets curriculum but also include sessions designed by the UFT covering issues such as how to create and run a CAT team at your school or worksite. Arnold noted the strong turnout and enthusiasm, as participants were eager to gain practical skills to bring back to their schools.

• Vinnie Corletta, Middle School Executive Board member, gave an update on the newly formed Member Action Committee, launched at the end of last year. Though still young, the committee has already proven itself.

• Rashad Brown- Professional Committees highlighted the work of the Pride Committee, including participation in the Pride March and the West Indian Day Parade, and announced upcoming events such as a State of the Community forum on October 16.

• Seung Lee shared news that the AAPI curriculum had been officially approved, with opportunities for schools to pilot its implementation through the Teacher Center.

Legislative and Political Action

Vanesia Wilson delivered the legislative report, outlining a packed fall calendar of canvassing and phone banking opportunities across all five boroughs. She stressed the urgency of member participation in the lead-up to the elections, as well as ongoing voter registration drives. Members were encouraged to support efforts to engage communities, stay safe while canvassing, and help increase turnout in each borough. Phone banking starts next week in the boroughs. Starting Wednesday registration forms available for voting.

The meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on Monday, September 15.