UFT

Official X account of the United Federation of Teachers. We proudly represent NYC public school educators, nurses, child care providers and other professionals.

[UFT @UFT]

🚨NEWS: THE RESPECT CHECK IS NOW LAW!!

Thanks to our advocacy and our champions in @NYCCouncil, especially @SpeakerMenin and @CnDelarosa, paras will now receive a critical financial boost.

[UFT @UFT]

Today, the DOE and the City announced updated policies on student-facing generative AI use in schools, alongside a new screen time policy. Swipe to see a statement from UFT President Michael Mulgrew.

[NYC Public Schools @NYCSchools]

POV: #NewTeacherweek 🤗🍎

[UFT Action @UFT_action]

Low paraprofessional pay caused a staffing crisis at NYC public schools, preventing our most vulnerable students from getting the support they need.

This year, the shortage will only be worse.

@NYCMayor - drop your lawsuit, let’s fix the staffing shortage.

#RESPECTforParaprofessionals

[UFT @UFT]

Kicking off the 2026-27 school year and welcoming thousands of new teachers to our union at Barclays Center 😎 Who Are We?! UFT 🗣️

[UFT @UFT]

Hear directly from our paras and educators 📢

The RESPECT Check Law is “not a luxury, but it certainly is a lifeline” for the paraprofessionals who care for the most vulnerable children in our city and keep them safe.

#FixThis #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

[Melinda Person 🍎✌🌈 @MelindaJPerson]

.@nysut Day at Yankee Stadium was a home run! ⚾️💙 And judging by the final score, I’d say NYSUT members brought some serious good luck to the Bronx. 😉🍀

Nothing beats a day at the Stadium with great friends, incredible NYSUT members and a Yankees win to top it all off! 💙⚾️🙌 @uupinfo @PSC_CUNY @UFT @AFTunion er

[UFT @UFT]

Members, you may have received an email from the Department of Education telling you that the sexual harassment training must be done today. This was an error. You do NOT need to complete the training until school resumes and must be given sufficient time to complete it. Note that the sexual harassment training is required each school year. If you have any questions, you can call the UFT at 212‑331‑6311 from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.

[UFT @UFT]

As you know, last week the city filed a lawsuit challenging the RESPECT check legislation.

Yesterday, the UFT asked the court to add us as a defendant so we can help the City Council protect the RESPECT check that we've worked so hard to secure. Our perspective needs to be part of any court proceedings.

It's now up to the court to grant us permission to join the lawsuit.

To be clear: The bill is now a law. The city's lawyers did not try to seek an injunction to pause the law. But we have come too far — and the well-being of our paraprofessionals is too important — to sit back and idly wait to see what happens.

We will keep you posted on what the court decides.

[Melinda Person 🍎✌🌈 @MelindaJPerson]

Great to be with my Union family for @NYSAFLCIO Convention in Albany! @nysut @UFT @AFTunion @uupinfo

[UFT @UFT]

We invite you to join us on Sept. 8 in Lower Manhattan for “Our City, Our Fight, Our Future,” a rally and march that unites and mobilizes the entire NYC labor movement to demonstrate the strength, solidarity and power of working people. NYC's strength comes from the people who keep our city running every day. Let’s come together to stand up for the rights, freedoms and future of all New Yorkers!

Just as our Labor Parade has long served as a public display of labor's unity and collective power, this event will bring together union members from every sector to send a clear message: When working people stand together, we can meet any challenge and shape a better future for our city!

Register to join here: https://t.co/QNfqXuNRNV

[UFT Action @UFT_action]

2/ Paras need relief now.

#RESPECTforParaprofessionals

https://t.co/4SUH2KZ7rv

[UFT Action @UFT_action]

1/ Paraprofessionals are in crisis, and the RESPECT Check Law establishes a workforce stabilization payment to help fix that.

City Hall's lawsuit seeking to block the law is just wrong – ultimately harming paras and their students, right as the school year approaches.

[UFT @UFT]

Check out this detailed breakdown on what’s happening with our RESPECT check bill in @CityAndStateNY. This administration must keep its promises, and we won’t stop until it does.

https://t.co/kUp3rFtjhY

[UFT @UFT]

As we prepare for the new school year, make sure you are being paid what you deserve!

Check out the UFT Salary Checkup in the UFT Member Hub. It’s a great tool that helps educators confirm that their paychecks are accurate. Members, log in to the Member Hub and learn more here: https://t.co/PH5R8tKd6N

[The Legal Aid Society @LegalAidNYC]

Paraprofessionals do essential work every day, yet remain among the lowest-paid workers in City government. They deserve a living wage.

We support the City Council’s efforts to ensure they are fairly compensated for the vital work they do.

[UFT @UFT]

Over 50,000 respondents said smaller class size is their top priority for NYC public schools in this year’s DOE survey. These parents understand the direct correlation between smaller class sizes and student success!

Parents and teachers want it. Students need it. And it’s the law! We’ll keep advocating until we get our schools compliant with class size limits.

[Speaker Julie Menin @SpeakerMenin]

Paraprofessionals have some of the toughest jobs in our education system. Yet their low pay has led to a retention crisis, leaving many of our highest-need students without enough support in schools.

That’s why the Council unanimously voted to give paras an emergency retention payment that would help close the gap and rein in ballooning costs associated with Carter cases.

We’ll keep fighting for our paraprofessionals and our students.

[Council Member Eric Dinowitz @EricDinowitzNYC]

Paraprofessionals do some of the most critical and difficult work in our city, tending to the individualized needs of students with disabilities, yet their pay is not commensurate with their work. A starting salary for a para can be roughly $33,000.

[UFT @UFT]

Hear from the 1st Vice Chair of our Paraprofessional Chapter, John Kamps.

Together, we've made a historic push. The RESPECT Check is now law. And although a lawsuit from the City is here, we knew this was a possibility and we are prepared for it.

Momentum is on our side - we won't stop until we get the job done! #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

[Oswald Feliz @OswaldFeliz]

New York City is great because of our workers, including paraprofessionals who keep classrooms running. We must show we value their contributions, not just with words, but also by ensuring they can afford to live in the city they serve.