UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL 2

Organizes Department of Education employees, charter school staff, private sector, and nonprofit employees into school-based and functional chapters based on job titles. Establishes UFT consultation committees in schools and distributes union responsibilities among members through designated roles such as grade representatives, COPE/legislative representatives, and consultation committee members.

Holds monthly consultation meetings with school principals to discuss school policy and ensure proper implementation of union contracts, while also providing leadership representation for chapter members at the Delegate Assembly.

Conducts regular chapter meetings in schools to discuss union business, report on consultation meetings with principals, address member concerns, and provide guest speaker presentations on topics such as pensions, health and safety, grievances, and classroom management. Meetings are scheduled at member-convenient times, often before the school day or during lunch, and include refreshments coordinated by volunteers using member-collected funds.

Personally greets new staff members at the start of the school year, supports their union membership enrollment, assists with applications for salary step placement and prior salary credit, and advises them to enroll in health insurance and attend new teacher workshops held in UFT borough offices.

Implemented the NYCE PPO health insurance plan effective January 1, 2026, replacing the GHI CBP plan, and distributed stipend payments to chapter leaders in December 2025.

Engages in ongoing negotiations with the city to advance the RESPECT check legislation, which aims to improve compensation and recognition for paraprofessionals.

Compiles and distributes classroom materials for teachers to use in celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander cultures during AAPI Month and provides curriculum resources for recognizing the history and contributions of Jewish Americans. Also distributes a rights-based comic and supporting materials to facilitate classroom discussions about immigration rights.

Provides year-round phone support to members during summer months on a modified schedule, maintains full grievance department availability five days a week (with reduced Friday staffing) at headquarters, and offers a weekly summer grief and loss support group and 24/7 access to a mental health helpline staffed by union-trained, licensed counselors for members and families.

Provides a restricted online portal for school chapter leaders to access member-specific resources and launched a mobile app to enable members to access union information and services anytime.

Organized rallies, conducted advocacy efforts, and negotiated with New York State legislators to improve Tier 6 pension provisions, resulting in unreduced retirement eligibility at age 58 with 30 years of service. Also collected petition signatures in support of Tom Brown’s candidacy for Teachers' Retirement System trustee.

Organized days of action on November 13, 2025, to demonstrate member support for paraprofessionals and on January 23, 2026, in solidarity with education workers in Minneapolis, including preparation and mobilization of members for these events.