Retiree Advocate Delegate Assembly

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS 52 Broadway New York City 10004 DELEGATE ASSEMBLY AGENDA Wednesday, March 19, 2025

The agenda will be as follows:

• Announcements

• President’s Report

• Staff Director’s Report

• Question Period (15 minutes)

• Motions directed to the agenda (10 minutes)

Special Order of Business:

1. NYC Teachers’ Retirement Board Teacher-Member Endorsement

2. Resolution on Union Interference: Interference in the UFT’s Election from Non-members (individuals and outside organizations)

3. NYC Council and District Attorney Endorsements

4. Support for the Respect Check Legislation for Paraprofessionals

5. Resolution in Support of Reclaiming Unused Space from Co-Located Charter Schools

6. “Hands Off Our Schools” Resolution

7. Resolution to Recognize April as School Library Month

Required for a quorum: 792

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Tentative date for our next D.A.: April 9. Await Confirmation.

Tentative future meeting date: May 14

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RULES OF ORDER:

1. TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF THE CURRENT MEETING – A motion to suspend the rules is required. IT IS NOT DEBATABLE and needs a 2/3 vote to carry.

2. TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING – A delegate may move to place an item on the agenda at the end of the question period. One speaker is allowed on each side; a majority vote is required.

3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MOTIONS IN EITHER OF THE ABOVE CASES – A motion to add an item to the agenda of either the current or a subsequent meeting and which is more than 3 sentences long will be entertained only if the motion is written and distributed to the delegates.

4. DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE – ANY MEMBER (or group) may distribute literature at the door or before the beginning of the meeting, provided it conforms to the rules of propriety as defined in Roberts’ Rules.

5. ADJOURNMENT – A motion to adjourn is automatically placed before the body at 6:00 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM #1 – RESOLUTION ENDORSING VICTORIA LEE FOR ELECTION TO THE NYC TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT BOARD

Whereas, Victoria Lee, is currently a Teacher-Member of the Teachers’ Retirement Board of the City of New York, and

Whereas, Victoria Lee has the complete confidence and support of the Teacher-Members of the Teachers’ Retirement Board of the City of New York, (Tom Brown and Christina McGrath); therefore let it be

Resolved, that the United Federation of Teachers endorse Victoria Lee for election as a Teacher-Member of the Teachers’ Retirement Board of the City of New York for a three-year term beginning in 2025.

AGENDA ITEM #2 – RESOLUTION ON UNION INTERFERENCE: INTERFERENCE IN THE UFT’S ELECTION FROM NON-MEMBERS (INDIVIDUALS AND OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS)

Whereas the constitution of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is the guiding document for all activities within our union including, but not limited to, membership, meetings, and our elections; and

Whereas the UFT’s rank and file membership includes NYC DOE Paraprofessionals, School Secretaries, Teachers, School Counselors, Audiologists, Sign Language Interpreters, Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Education Officers and Analysts, Administrative Education Officers and Analysts, Hearing Officers, Nurses, Supervisors of Nurses and Supervising Therapists, Lab Specialists and Lab Technicians, Social Workers and Psychologists and Family Childcare Providers, both in service and retirees; and

Whereas the UFT is focused on advocating for the rights and interests of our members; and

Whereas the UFT does not and will not interfere with activities, especially the elections, of other unions; and

Whereas we currently have a non-member individual and group interfering with the UFT’s elections; therefore, be it

Resolved that individuals, groups, and organizations that do not have membership in the UFT or are not included under the UFT’s constitution should NOT have a voice in the activities of the UFT; be it further

Resolved that individuals, groups, or organizations that do not have membership in the UFT, should not be allowed to interfere in the UFT’s elections.

AGENDA ITEM #3 – NYC COUNCIL AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY ENDORSEMENTS Resolution In Support of The UFT Endorsing Eric Gonzalez for Re-Election for Brooklyn District Attorney

WHEREAS, Eric Gonzalez is a lifelong Brooklyn resident who has served the residents of the borough as a public prosecutor for almost twenty-five years and now as the Brooklyn District Attorney since 2016; and

WHEREAS, his 2020 Office Action Plan indicates his plans to collaborate with the Department of Education so that school-based offenses can be dealt with using restorative justice practices that allow young people to take responsibility for their actions, make amends to the people they have harmed, and avoid prosecution entirely;

WHEREAS, in the summer of 2016, he established one of two Young Adult Courts in the country to handle cases for young people under 24 who are too old to be treated as juveniles but not developmentally prepared to be treated as adults; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to protect immigrant families, he created the first in the city Immigration Unit to handle cases involving immigrants to make sure that low-level cases do not result in disproportionate punishments, such as deportations;

WHEREAS, as Brooklyn District Attorney, he will work to send fewer people to jail without compromising the safety of Brooklyn residents; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Eric Gonzalez in his re-election for Brooklyn District Attorney as we believe he will be a strong ally for working people, our schools, and our community. Resolution In Support of The UFT Endorsing Dermot Smyth for City Council District 30

WHEREAS, Dermot Smyth is a Queens resident and political activist who has advocated for education and labor throughout his entire career; and

WHEREAS, as a former teacher, he understands the needs of students and their families and will fight to ensure our schools are fully funded and well-resourced so that all students can succeed; and

WHEREAS, as a proud union member he has and will forever work to protect union member benefits so that all brothers and sisters in the labor movement are employed in fair and prosperous workplaces; and

WHEREAS, as a community activist he will champion policies that will combat climate change and improve our public transit system; and

WHEREAS, he will work to expand employment opportunities to residents of the 30th Council District and safeguard local businesses and tenants by holding landlords accountable and investing in programs that incentivize entrepreneurs and affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, his commitment to the UFT is invaluable, having helped the union forge alliances with organizations and elected officials that have assisted its growth and success; therefore; be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Dermot Smyth in his primary election for City Council as we believe he will be a strong ally for working people, our schools, and our community. Resolution In Support of The UFT Endorsing Cliff Hagen in The Special Election for City Council District 51

WHEREAS, Cliff Hagen is a lifelong Staten Islander who has advocated for education and served as a community activist his entire career; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong teacher, he understands the needs of students and their families and will fight to ensure our schools are fully funded and well-resourced so that all students can succeed; and

WHEREAS, as a proud union member he has and will forever work to protect union member benefits so that all brothers and sisters in the labor movement are employed in fair and prosperous workplaces; and

WHEREAS, as a community activist he will champion policies that will combat climate change and improve our public transit system; and

WHEREAS, he will work to expand employment opportunities to residents of the 51st Council District and safeguard local businesses and tenants by holding landlords accountable and investing in programs that incentivize entrepreneurs and affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, his commitment to the UFT is invaluable, having helped the union forge alliances with organizations in Staten Island that have assisted its growth and success; therefore; be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Cliff Hagen in his Special election for City Council as we believe he will be a strong ally for working people, our schools, and our community. Resolution In Support of The UFT Endorsing Alvin Bragg for Re-Election For Manhattan District Attorney

WHEREAS, the New York City 2025 local elections UFT endorses Alvin Bragg for his reelection to the Office of Manhattan District Attorney; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Bragg served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General in New York State overseeing some of the office’s biggest cases, including suing film producer Harvey Weinstein over the existence of a hostile work environment, challenging the Trump administration over the U.S. Census for its inclusion of citizenship questions; and bringing significant criminal charges in bribery, securities fraud, and Medicaid fraud matters; and

WHEREAS, Alvin Bragg, the 37thDistrict Attorney elected in Manhattan, is a son of Harlem who has served as both a state and federal prosecutor and has spent more than two decades fighting to make New York’s communities safer and the criminal justice system fairer.

WHEREAS, Alvin Bragg demonstrated to the UFT members in Manhattan that he would best serve the needs of their borough and pledged to support our local schools and prioritize the needs of the UFT; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorses Alvin Bragg for his re-election to the office of Manhattan District Attorney. Resolution In Support of The UFT Endorsing Julie Menin CD5, Carmen De La Rosa CD10, Crystal Hudson CD35, & Rita Joseph CD40 for Re-Election to Their Respective City Council Districts

WHEREAS, the UFT will endorse four NYC City Council candidates for early endorsements in the June 2025 Primary; and

WHEREAS, the 2025 local elections in New York City feature four incumbent City Council members; and

WHEREAS, City Council candidates seeking to represent City Council Districts 5, 10, 35, and 40 submitted our UFT City Council candidate questionnaire and participated in candidate interviews hosted by the borough representative and the political action coordinator; and

WHEREAS, Council Member Julie Menin, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Council Member Crystal Hudson, and Council Member Rita Joseph, have served their communities well and supported the schools; are the best representatives for their districts; and pledge to continue to support their local school communities and prioritize the needs of our union; and be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorses Julie Menin CD5, Carmen De La Rosa CD10, Crystal Hudson CD35, and Rita Joesph CD40 to continue their roles as City Council Members to represent their respective districts.

AGENDA ITEM #4 – SUPPORT FOR THE RESPECT CHECK LEGISLATION FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS

WHEREAS, members of the New York City Council announced proposed legislation to give paraprofessionals an annual payment of at least $10,000.00; and

WHEREAS, this legislation would immediately help paraprofessionals with more money and would help to decrease the pay gap; and

WHEREAS, the City is experiencing a significant shortage of paraprofessionals and this additional money would help to attract more people, which, in turn, would lead to better outcomes for our schools and the students we serve and

WHEREAS, paraprofessionals provide significant services to students, primarily those with special needs, and are crucial staff members in the classroom; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that chapter leaders, paraprofessional representatives, and other union activists encourage members of all titles to sign the petition to support the Respect Check legislation and be it further

RESOLVED, that chapter leaders will alert their school leadership teams and parent associations or parent teacher associations about how parents can show support for this legislation; finally, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT will hold a rally in the spring to bring attention to the importance of the legislation regarding paraprofessional pay.

AGENDA ITEM #5 – RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RECLAIMING UNUSED SPACE FROM CO-LOCATED CHARTER SCHOOLS

WHEREAS, the United Federation of Teachers is the sole bargaining representative for UFT members and works to support them and the schools and sites they work in; and

WHEREAS, since the Mayoral Administration of Michael Bloomberg until today, Corporate Charter School Networks such as Success Academy have taken over a disproportionate amount of space in public school buildings; and

WHEREAS, Building Utilization Plans (BUPS) delineate the space allocation in school buildings; and

WHEREAS, public school students are routinely denied access to public school space as a result of the occupancy of corporate charters in their buildings; and

WHEREAS, public school students routinely face obstacles in getting mandated services, access to clubs and extracurricular activities as a result of the occupancy of corporate charters in NYC public school buildings; and

WHEREAS, as an example, in 2019, Success Academy of Cobble Hill had an enrollment of 421 students and today has 273 students enrolled–a 35% decrease–while the co-located public schools have growing enrollments and greater need for space to serve their students and there are at least 5 empty classrooms in the building that are assigned to Success Academy; and

WHEREAS, corporate charter schools face a declining enrollment citywide and refuse to return space back to the public school they share buildings with; therefore be it

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers will use its resources, advocacy, and voice to support the return of public school space to public schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers will call for an amending of Building Utilization plans to reflect the declining enrollment of Corporate Charters where relevant; and be it further

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers will support its members and chapters in fighting for the return of space from Corporate Charters; and be it finally

RESOLVED, the United Federation of Teachers will call on the NYC Department of Education to fulfill its obligation to public school students by creating a policy for corporate charters to relinquish unused space.

AGENDA ITEM #6 – “HANDS OFF OUR SCHOOLS” RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the UFT has always defended our students and their right to a quality public education, and

WHEREAS, the federal government has threatened Title I school funding to districts like New York City for the curriculum choices made in schools, and

WHEREAS, the threatened elimination of the U.S. Department of Education would endanger access to financial aid for millions of students and would hobble the federal oversight of special education as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, and

WHEREAS, the illegal firing of an National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member has paralyzed that agency’s ability to enforce labor protections, and multiple labor unions for the federal workforce have filed lawsuits to protect their right for undue termination under federal labor law, and

WHEREAS, these attacks on public sector unions and collective bargaining that play a crucial role in advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable treatment for educators and all workers, students, families, and communities, and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Justice department has changed longstanding federal policy to permit immigration raids in schools, hospitals and churches, and

WHEREAS, the federal administration has also threatened funding from school districts like ours that allow students to compete on athletic teams matching their gender identity, therefore be it

RESOLVED that the UFT will initiate coordination, collaboration, member-to-member education and dialogue, and other joint initiatives with AFT and NEA local and national bodies to defeat these attacks, and therefore be it further

RESOLVED the UFT will actively support and encourage the resistance of our labor siblings, with the knowledge that if their protections are weakened or ignored, ours could be next, and therefore be it further

RESOLVED the UFT will encourage school based committees of members to engage in political mobilization to defend public education, immigrant students and teachers, and trans and gender-nonconforming students and teachers against these attacks, and therefore be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT will mobilize its members and call on its labor and community allies for an escalating campaign of actions under the slogan “Hands Off Our Schools” that will include color days at schools to show solidarity, flyerings directed at communities and parents, local community rallies/press conferences with allied groups, and pickets at federal offices, and therefore be it further

RESOLVED that this campaign will culminate in a series of actions with congressional electeds this spring to demonstrate that New Yorkers stand with the public education system against these attacks.

AGENDA ITEM #7 – RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH

WHEREAS, in 1985, the American Association of School Librarians proclaimed April as National School Library Month; and

WHEREAS, in the wake of actions at the city and state level to take action against book bannings and protect students’ access to materials, school libraries are being acknowledged for their importance in school communities; and

WHEREAS, school librarians across New York City empower students to engage with the changing information landscape through media literacy, generative AI and ethics, and other forms of inquiry instruction; and

WHEREAS, school librarians, through selecting and promoting materials tailored to students’ needs and interests, help to foster in students a lifelong love of reading and develop their literacy and critical thinking skills; and

WHEREAS, school librarians are uniquely positioned within a school community to support colleagues with collaborative instructional design, professional learning opportunities, and useful learning resources; and

WHEREAS, school librarians create spaces, through their programs, for students and staff to engage with learning outside the classroom, including in the curation of makerspaces, involvement in city council and citywide participatory budgeting projects, and environmental sustainability projects; and

WHEREAS, school librarians serve to build community within their schools through collaborations with families and PTAs, public library systems, elected officials, CBOs, and other community groups, all to share resources and create opportunities for broader engagement; and

WHEREAS, school librarians also balance all of these roles and responsibilities with administrative needs such as the curation of collections, the pursuit of grants, and the maintenance of records and materials; and

WHEREAS, the total number of school librarians and school library programs across New York City Public Schools is currently unknown, with the reporting of these statistics ultimately left to individual schools without the oversight needed to ensure accuracy; and

WHEREAS, celebrating school librarians and school library programs across New York City Public Schools would increase visibility and interest in the career path, helping to further emphasize the need to better establish in which schools these programs exist; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT recognize April as National School Library Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT recognize April 4 as National School Librarian Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, that throughout April, the UFT celebrate the contributions of school librarians in articles, member profiles, public statements, and other events; and finally, be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT continues to support efforts to keep school libraries open, to staff school libraries with the appropriate number of certified school librarians as prescribed by NYS law, and to lobby for all schools to have a school library program.