UFT members who take an approved unpaid leave will get all of the rate increases that other employees will receive upon their return. In addition, they will receive all of their retroactive pay so long as they return from leave by Oct. 1, 2023, and remain active until they have received all of their payments. Employees who miss a scheduled lump-sum payment and are on payroll will be paid on the next Oct. 1 and each following Oct.1 through 2027 until all payments are made.

Retirees who receive their pension checks through direct deposit will have their lump-sum payments deposited into the same account as their pension checks.

Retirees who receive their pension checks through the mail will have their lump-sum checks mailed to the same address as their pension checks.

There are some instances when you may be eligible for lump-sum payments; contact your UFT borough office for guidance on your specific situation.

Yes.

OPI is the Office of Personnel Investigation. It is the unit responsible for clearing employees to work for the Department of Education. OPI monitors active investigations, arrest, and suspensions. OPI is also responsible for fingerprints, background checks and re-assignments.

OSI is the Office of Special Investigations. It is the internal office of the Department of Education that monitors various allegations of violations of Chancellor’s Regulations and other allegations of wrongdoing. Members are entitled to be represented by a fellow employee or by a specially trained UFT Staff Representative.

SCI is the Special Commissioner of Investigation. This is the external agency responsible for investigating serious allegations of misconduct. Members are entitled to be represented by an attorney. The UFT has arrangements with a panel of private criminal defense attorneys to represent the member at SCI interviews.

OEO is the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. OEO is the internal DOE office that investigates allegations of sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination. Members are entitled to be represented by a fellow employee or by a specially trained UFT staff representative at investigations conducted by OEO.

Contact the UFT. A Representative will assist you. The UFT will determine who is conducting the investigation and depending upon the agency, will assign either an attorney (for SCI) or a representative (for OSI and OEO) to assist you.

Members should notify the UFT immediately upon being contacted by an investigatory agency. The UFT will arrange for an interview with the investigator. Depending on the agency’s availability, this process may take several days. A UFT staff representative will be in contact with you shortly. After the investigation interview there will be several weeks or months before a determination of the allegations is rendered.