The operational issues resolution process in the DOE-UFT contract gives UFT-represented educators more voice at the school level to tackle workplace issues. Chapter leaders can bring issues to their principals in a one-on-one meeting, a consultation committee meeting or via email. Violations of the systemwide standards that cannot be resolved at the school level may be escalated.
2023 Paperwork & Operational updates
- Updated paperwork standards
- Responses to texts and emails: The standards now state that educators and related service professionals must have a reasonable amount of time to respond to administrative communications; educators cannot be required to respond to email/texts outside the contractual workday or during instructional time.
- Evaluative school visits: Educators cannot be compelled to create and prepare documents for the sole purpose of a quality review or any other school evaluative visit, such as a principal’s performance review. Educators cannot be required to produce documents that are not readily available either for such visits.
- School development committee (SDC): Each school (and program functioning as a school) must form a School-Based Staff Development Committee by Nov. 1 that serves as an instructional leadership team in consultation with the principal. This committee not only discusses the PD during the PD block, but all school-specific professional development conducted at the school.
- Functional staff development committee: Every UFT functional chapter must have a citywide functional chapter PD committee to review, consider and develop professional development programs that are relevant to the respective chapter’s duties and are reasonable to prepare and complete within the chapter’s existing workday.
- Basic instructional supplies: These include but are not limited to books, paper, testing materials and assessments. Staff will be provided with access to electronic devices, printers, copiers, ink and toner based on job assignments.
- SBO implementation: Chapter leaders may now use the operational issues resolution process to resolve a problem with the implementation of an approved school-based option.
- Pivot to remote: The standards set limits on what administrators can require employees to do in their digital classrooms.
Resources:
- UFT Paperwork & Operational Issues PowerPoint presentation
- UFT manual: Resolving Paperwork & Operational Issues
- Manual Appendix A: Paperwork & Operational Standards
- Manual Appendix B: Systemwide Standards & Operational Issues
- Manual Appendix C: Safety Standards
- Manual Appendix D: Memorandum of Agreement for Teachers of the Homebound
- Manual Appendix E: Procedures for District Paperwork Reduction Committees
- Manual Appendix F: Other Professional Work (OPW)/List of Activities
- Manual Appendix G: Parent Engagement/List of Activities
- Manual Appendix H: Sample Parent Engagement Log
- Updated Paperwork and Operational Standards
- DOE-UFT Paperwork & Operational Issues Labor Guidance
To see the language in the contract, read Article 8i »