Unity's Strategy Pays Off: Teachers Can Now Be Compensated for Oversized Classes

For years, the Unity Caucus has led the fight to reduce class sizes in New York City schools.

From going on strike to secure class size limits in the contract, to the recent landmark class size law, to navigating the complex challenges of implementation, Unity has remained focused on one goal: delivering lower class sizes for the students of NYC and for UFT members.

This week, that commitment and struggle has produced another victory.

As part of legislation extending the timeline for full implementation of the class size law, the UFT secured something educators have never had before: substantial financial compensation for teachers assigned oversized classes in schools that receive state-approved exemptions.

It is a groundbreaking achievement and one that reflects Unity Caucus’s long-term strategy of pursuing both economic gains and classroom improvements for educators.

The Unity “AND” Strategy

During the 2023 contract campaign, opposition argued that UFT members should accept lower wage increases in exchange for class size provisions.

The Unity Caucus rejected that approach.Instead, Unity created a strategy that would deliver the highest wages possible in that contract AND smaller classes, because we know that our members deserve both.

Rather than sacrificing salary increases at the bargaining table, Unity pursued a broader strategy. The pattern for wage increases during that bargaining was set by DC-37 and was low. Unity advocated to not take lower wages for smaller class sizes. Instead, to secure the highest wages possible and to simultaneously fight for class size improvements through legislation, political action, and ongoing negotiations with city and state leaders.

Unity’s strategy produces results and most importantly real money for our members! Even the New York Post has to admit that “the teachers’union delivered a masterclass in wheeling and dealing…UFT President Michael Mulgrew bent a little to help the mayor–but at a price.”

Turning Class Size Violations into Real Compensation

For decades, the UFT contract has contained class size protections.

When violations occurred, members could receive time as compensation. But there was never a mechanism to provide meaningful financial compensation for educators who continued teaching oversized classes.

That has now changed.

Under the new agreement, teachers whose classes remain above the new class size limits because of approved space or hard-to-staff exemptions will be eligible for differentials of:

• Up to $8,500 during the 2026-27 school year

• Up to $9,500 during the 2027-28 school year

As the Post wrote, “Mulgrew said the bonus pay for non-compliance will serve as a stick — an incentive — to pressure the city to comply with the class size reduction law.”

Understanding the Extension

The state has proposed legislation extending the implementation timeline for the class size law.

Schools will now be required to reach:

• 70% compliance by 2026-27

• 80% compliance by 2027-28

• 90% compliance by 2028-29

• 100% compliance by 2029-30

The reality is that the final stages of implementation are the most difficult. To achieve compliance, some schools require additional classroom space or major construction projects.

While the UFT understands these struggles are real, the city must also be held accountable. This win ensures that if the city receives additional time to come into compliance that our members will be compensated for the delays.

Who Will Receive the Differential?

Teachers may be eligible if they teach non-compliant classes in schools that receive approved space or hard-to-staff exemptions from the New York State Education Department.

Those exemption decisions will be made each November.

Not every teacher assigned an oversized class will qualify. Eligibility is tied specifically to schools receiving approved exemptions under the implementation framework.

Leadership Matters

The Unity Caucus has always understood that lasting progress requires more than slogans, campaign promises, and complaints. It requires strategic thinking, persistence, and the ability to pursue gains through multiple avenues at the same time.

While there is still more to be done, this is an important step in the fight to give our members and our students the class sizes they deserve.