United Federation of Teachers

United Federation of Teachers is a labor union and the largest local in the American Federation of Teachers. The union was founded in 1960 by Albert Shanker, David Selden, and John Dewey, and has since become a major player in New York City's education system, working closely with New York City Department of Education and New York State United Teachers. The UFT has been involved in numerous high-profile negotiations and strikes, including the 1968 New York City teachers' strike, which was supported by Martin Luther King Jr. and Bayard Rustin. The union's activities have been influenced by various social and political movements, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement, and have been shaped by the work of notable educators like John Dewey and Horace Mann.

● History

The UFT was formed in 1960, emerging from the New York City Teachers Guild, which was founded in 1935 by Henry Linville. The union's early years were marked by struggles for recognition and better working conditions, with key support from American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The UFT's first president, Charles Cogen, played a crucial role in shaping the union's early years, working closely with New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. and New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller. The union's growth and development were also influenced by the work of other notable labor leaders, such as Walter Reuther and A. Philip Randolph, who were involved in the United Auto Workers and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, respectively.

● Organization

The UFT is a member of the American Federation of Teachers, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the National Education Association. The union is led by a president, currently Michael Mulgrew, who works closely with the UFT Executive Board and the UFT Delegate Assembly. The UFT has a complex organizational structure, with various departments and committees, including the UFT Teacher Center, which provides professional development opportunities for teachers, and the UFT Welfare Fund, which offers health and welfare benefits to members. The union also has a strong partnership with other education unions, such as the National Association of School Administrators and the American Association of School Administrators, and works closely with organizations like the New York City Council and the New York State Legislature.

● Collective Bargaining

The UFT engages in collective bargaining with the New York City Department of Education to negotiate contracts and working conditions for its members. The union has a long history of negotiating contracts, including the 1975 UFT Contract, which established a number of key benefits and protections for teachers. The UFT has also been involved in several high-profile contract disputes, including the 1990s UFT Contract Dispute, which was supported by New York City Mayor David Dinkins and New York State Governor Mario Cuomo. The union's collective bargaining efforts have been influenced by the work of notable labor leaders, such as Lane Kirkland and Thomas Donahue, who were involved in the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union, respectively.

● Political Activities

The UFT is actively involved in political activities, including lobbying and campaigning for education-related issues. The union has been a strong supporter of Democratic Party candidates, including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, and has worked closely with organizations like the Democratic National Committee and the New York State Democratic Committee. The UFT has also been involved in various advocacy campaigns, including the Save Our Schools campaign, which was supported by Diane Ravitch and Jonathan Kozol, and the Opt Out movement, which was influenced by the work of Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn. The union's political activities have been shaped by the work of notable educators and activists, such as Deborah Meier and Ted Sizer, who were involved in the Coalition of Essential Schools and the National Coalition of Education Activists, respectively.

● Notable Members

The UFT has a number of notable members, including Albert Shanker, who served as president of the union from 1964 to 1984, and Sandra Feldman, who served as president from 1986 to 1997. Other notable members include Leo Casey, who has written extensively on education policy, and Arthur Goldstein, who has been a vocal advocate for teachers' rights. The union has also been influenced by the work of notable educators and researchers, such as Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane Ravitch, who have written extensively on education policy and reform. The UFT's members have been recognized for their contributions to education, including National Teacher of the Year awards and Broad Prize for Urban Education awards.

● Impact on Education

The UFT has had a significant impact on education in New York City and beyond. The union has been a strong advocate for teachers' rights and has worked to improve working conditions and benefits for its members. The UFT has also been involved in various education reform efforts, including the New York City School Reform initiative, which was supported by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York State Governor George Pataki. The union's efforts have been influenced by the work of notable educators and researchers, such as E.D. Hirsch and Theodore Sizer, who have written extensively on education reform and policy. The UFT's impact on education has been recognized by organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, and has been shaped by the work of notable labor leaders, such as John Sweeney and Richard Trumka, who were involved in the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union, respectively.

Category:Education in New York City