A pension milestone for paraprofessionals

After a decades-long lobbying effort by the union, we are proud to announce that all UFT-represented full-time paraprofessionals — both on the job today and in the future — will automatically become members of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) under a bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. From now on, all UFT-represented paraprofessionals, like teachers, can look forward after retirement to a monthly pension check for the rest of their lives. Gone are the days when a paraprofessional would reach the end of a long career to find out at a pension consultation that they had not enrolled in TRS and would have no pension. Under the new legislation, the approximately 1,800 appointed, full-time paraprofessionals who do not already belong to the pension system will be automatically enrolled in TRS as Tier 6 members as will all paras hired after Oct. 28, 2021. A defined-benefit pension is a cornerstone of retirement security for UFT members. Eligible paraprofessionals do not need to take any action. TRS will be contacting you in December. Paraprofessionals who have already enrolled in TRS are not affected by this bill. This legislation does not pertain to substitute paraprofessionals; they continue to have the option to join the Board of Education Retirement System. 

UFT contributes to historic City Council victories

We proudly celebrate two UFT members, Eric Dinowitz and Rita Joseph, who won their respective City Council races for District 11 in the Bronx and District 40 in Brooklyn on Nov. 2. These two were among the 43 candidates the UFT helped to elect to the City Council this year. At least 30 are women, making this year’s election historic: For the first time in history, the majority of City Council members will be women. As expected, Eric Adams was elected mayor, Jumaane Williams was re-elected public advocate and Brad Lander was elected city comptroller, all with the UFT’s support. Three UFT-endorsed candidates for borough president — Vanessa Gibson in the Bronx, Mark Levine in Manhattan and Donovan Richards in Queens — won their respective races as did Alvin Bragg for Manhattan district attorney and Eric Gonzalez for Brooklyn district attorney. Candidates endorsed by the UFT and NYSUT won in two special elections in New York City: Cordell Cleare in Senate District 30 in Harlem and Yudelka Tapia in Assembly District 86 in the Bronx. 

Digital classroom setup pay is being issued this week

The $225 that the DOE agreed to pay teachers and related service providers for setting up their digital classrooms for the 2021–22 school year is being issued this week. Many members saw the money in their bank account on Thursday, while it will appear for others on Friday or over the weekend, depending on the bank. School officials at first assured the UFT that the money would be paid in a supplemental check last week, but its payroll division was unable to hit that date.

COVID policy for visitors to UFT offices

Visitors, including UFT members, to any UFT office must provide proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative COVID PCR test taken within the last 72 hours. Children under 12 do not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test but those over age 2 must remain masked throughout their visit to the UFT office.

See you Sunday for Teacher Union Day

Dignity and respect. Professionalism and due process. Competitive wages and benefits. On Nov. 7, 1960, those things didn’t exist for teachers in New York City public schools. On that date, brave members of our newly formed union went on strike. Join us virtually this Sunday, Nov. 7, 61 years later, when we commemorate that landmark job action and pay tribute to current union leaders including 89 school chapter leaders who will receive Ely Trachtenberg Awards for building strong and vibrant UFT chapters. See all the 2021 honorees. In-person registration for honorees and their guests has closed. All other UFT members are invited to join virtually. 

Register now