The UFT begins its negotiations with New York City today, Oct. 13, 2022.

UFT members all over New York City wore blue today to mark the beginning of the union’s contract negotiations with the city and the Department of Education.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew said:  “Our members helped our public schools through the worst of the pandemic. Now we’re fighting to help our students recover from its effects. Educators need a fair contract that will help them, and our schools, improve the lives of our city’s children.”

The union formed a 500-member negotiating committee of rank-and-file members in March. The committee held a brief meeting – the first of this round of negotiations -- this afternoon.

The UFT's contract expired Sept. 13. Under state law governing public employees, the terms of an expired deal stay in effect until a new agreement is reached.