Chapter Leader UpdateMarch 12, 2026

We are making ourselves heard on Tier 6

Thousands of UFT members packed the MVP Arena in Albany – on a Sunday. The reverberations of what union power and solidarity mean were felt across the state. That is not an exaggeration. We started back in December and we made it visible, then we made it human, and finally, we made it LOUD. Our work has been seen and heard:

• Legislators showed up to our rally pledging their support for fixing Tier 6.
• The state Senate and Assembly just included Tier 6 reforms in their budget proposals.

What’s next?

Budget negotiations are ongoing. The state budget is due April 1. It is often late, but when it comes out, we’ll see if money has been earmarked to fix Tier 6.

Keep the pressure on with virtual Lobby Day

UFT Lobby Day is on Monday, March 16, in Albany. As we did last year, we are organizing virtual Lobby Days in our school chapters that same week to amplify our call to lawmakers to fix Tier 6, revamp the Foundation Aid formula and support our other legislative priorities. Check out the toolkit in this Lobby Day resource folder for all you need to make your school's virtual Lobby Day a success. Together, we'll make sure our representatives in Albany can't ignore us. Every post and every email counts. Let's be heard loud and clear.

Our RESPECT check legislation is on the move

The RESPECT check is back and better than before! Our 2026 version of the RESPECT check bill was introduced in the City Council on Feb. 24. Since then:

• A supermajority of City Council members have signed on to the bill, making it veto-proof. If the mayor did veto the bill, the council could overturn it.
• Julie Menin, the City Council speaker, pledged her support for the bill’s passage at our annual Paraprofessional Awards Luncheon on March 7.
• The bill had a hearing on March 9 with the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor.

These milestones are due to all the work that members have put into this campaign, especially our paraprofessionals, who have been meeting with City Council members since the members were sworn in this January. Now we are on the way to finally taking this over the finish line and giving every paraprofessional a recurring annual payment of $10,000.

Here’s what’s next:

The City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor must vote the bill out of committee. Then, we need to get the legislation passed by the full City Council. Our new speaker, Julie Menin, supports this bill, which will make getting it passed much easier than last time.

You can read the full legislation online. Find answers to your questions about the proposed legislation in our RESPECT check FAQ. You can learn more on our RESPECT campaign page and follow @uftparachapter on Instagram for updates. We will not stop until we get the RESPECT check legislation passed.

Sign the petition to put Tom Brown on the TRS ballot

The UFT Delegate Assembly has endorsed Tom Brown for teacher-member trustee of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) Board. With more than 42 years of proven leadership, 12 years serving UFT members as TRS trustee and three years as chair of the TRS board, Tom knows what it takes to safeguard our retirement.

To get their names on the ballot, candidates need 1,000 signatures on nominating petitions before the March 30 deadline. Please distribute petitions at your school and make it clear to members that they may only sign one petition. Those eligible to sign the petition include all regularly appointed in-service members of the school staff who are TRS members.

Learn more about Tom and the election