Dear UFT members and colleagues,
Welcome to the UFT's Block Institute Chapter! We are proud to represent about 100 members who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.
Our chapter includes teachers, teacher aides, teacher assistants, first, second and third-level direct support professionals, maintenance staff and clinicians. Our members have extensive experience providing individualized services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
In August 2024, the UFT successfully negotiated with Block management successor collective bargaining agreements covering school and Adult Day Services employees. As a result of negotiations, the UFT earned substantial raises for Block employees during the two-year term of each agreements: School employees received 10% raises retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. Adult Day Services employees received 4% raises retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024 and will receive a New York State cost of living adjustment in the second year of the agreement, in addition to other improved work conditions.
I want to encourage you to attend UFT events, attend UFT courses and take advantage of member discounts. We plan more union activities to show solidarity with each other, our chapter and the UFT, so stay tuned.
If you have any questions, reach out to me at beth4runner [at] aol [dot] com (beth4runner[at]aol[dot]com) or Ilene Weinerman, our chapter liaison, at iweinerman [at] uft [dot] org (subject: Block%20Institute%20Chapter) (iweinerman[at]uft[dot]org).
Sincerely,
Beth Levy
Block Institute Chapter Leader