What parents and students can expect in UFT's weeklong plans for a new teacher contract

UFT President Michael Mulgrew says the union is experiencing reluctance from the city to do the right thing.

News 12 Staff and Jericho Tran

Apr 24, 2023, 9:53 AM

Updated 589 days ago

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The fight for a fair contract continues for the United Federation of Teachers as they take their concerns to the doors of schools around the city this week.
The union released the results of an all-members survey after educators reflected on their time in the workplace. Out of the nearly 75,000 teachers represented by the union across the city, 87% say administrative tasks get in the way of their student's learning.
Parents and students can expect to see their educators standing outside schools handing out pamphlets explaining what they're looking for in their next contract. The UFT has been bargaining with the city for a new contract for months. UFT President Michael Mulgrew says the union is experiencing reluctance from the city to do the right thing.
The union wants their new contract to provide a fair wage increase for educators, allow more time to support students while spending less time on unnecessary task and giving educators more preparation time. Finally, they are demanding improved working conditions. The union call comes as District Council 37, the city's largest municipal workers union, and the Police Benevolent Association reached agreements for their contracts.
The UFT says they have reviewed those contracts and are prepared negotiate a fair financial package for its own members.
With the pandemic giving parents a glimpse of what teachers go through when educating children, they say teachers are entitled to a fair contract.
The event will take place before and after school as well as during lunch at schools across the city today. They say they hope to finish negotiations by the end of the school year, but there is a possibility sessions could extend to the next school year.
News 12 has reached out to the Department of Education for comment and is waiting to hear back.