Public-sector unions, like the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), are notorious for using their political clout to further their own interests under the guise of advocating for the public good. The UFT, faced with a decline in enrollment in Department of Education (DOE) schools, found itself in a predicament. With fewer students, the union’s membership was expected to decrease as well. The drop in enrollment can be attributed to a combination of demographics, such as a decrease in the number of children being born in the city, and families fleeing DOE schools due to the perceived decline in educational quality during the pandemic.
To grasp the full extent of the issue, it’s important to look at UFT membership numbers. Currently, the UFT has approximately 189,000 members, a decrease from its peak membership of 192,467 in 2020. However, this number was significantly lower in 2010, with membership standing at under 164,000. The boost in membership can be credited to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s expansion of pre-K and 3K programs. Meanwhile, total DOE K-12 enrollment has dropped by 200,000 from its highest point, with a decline of 100,000 in just the past few years.
Naturally, no union wants to experience a decrease in membership. This situation also poses a threat to the current UFT leadership, as a smaller membership would mean a greater proportion of retirees who might harbor resentment towards the leaders. Many retirees are disappointed by the agreement to transition them into Medicare Advantage plans, a move aimed at providing funds to increase the salaries of working teachers. So, what is the UFT’s solution? The union has maneuvered to pass legislation mandating smaller class sizes exclusively in New York City.
However, implementing smaller class sizes comes at a cost. The city’s Independent Budget Office estimates that fully executing this law would require an additional 17,700 teachers and impose a $2 billion annual burden on taxpayers. While some argue that smaller classes improve learning outcomes, it also means settling for a larger pool of average or underperforming teachers, as principals would have limited options when hiring. Furthermore, this move works in favor of the UFT by creating a need for more classrooms, a factor the union exploits to block the DOE from providing space to expanding charter schools. Despite their lack of unionization, charter schools consistently outperform DOE schools, garnering praise from parents and students.
Interestingly, the UFT is not only focused on its influence at the city level but is also working with policymakers in Albany to undermine Mayor Eric Adams’ authority over the DOE. The recent renewal of Adams’ control over the DOE for only two years, along with the introduction of the class-size law, serves as an additional tactic to weaken his position. Furthermore, the union successfully lobbied the City Council to override proposed budget cuts at DOE schools with declining enrollments, ultimately securing substantial salary increases and bonuses for its members under a new five-year, $6.4 billion labor contract. Notably, this contract does not include any provisions for improving teacher productivity.
While it may be understandable that Adams hesitates to confront the UFT given his numerous other responsibilities, the union’s dominance in Albany, including its influence over the State Education Department, means that there is no organized opposition against a union that continues to extract more and more money from taxpayers while failing to prioritize the education of the children it claims to care about.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
