It seems as though a new school year always begins with divided hearts. On one side, the joy of greeting new students, the excitement of a fresh start, and the energy that comes from doing the work we love. On the other, the weight of familiar anxieties — overcrowded classes, endless paperwork, disrespect from management, and the creeping sense that too little has changed. There is much confusion about the source of this malaise afflicting our profession — but its roots are not mysterious.
This year marks a sobering milestone: twenty years since the 2005 contract reshaped teaching in New York City. Many of our newer colleagues may not know what was lost — but every educator today feels its impact.
What Was Taken in 2005?
- Time: The work week was lengthened by 150 minutes — adding up to more than 120 hours a year taken from teachers and students.
- Seniority: Transfer rights were abolished, giving principals unchecked control and fueling favoritism.
- Job Security: When schools closed, educators were left without guaranteed placements — scattering chapters and undermining union cohesion.
- Grievance Rights: Protections against micromanagement were gutted, leaving teachers vulnerable to harassment.
Why It Matters Today
The conditions newer educators see as “normal” —extended days, principals holding all the cards, colleagues shuffled without security — were not always normal. They were imposed in 2005. That contract set a pattern of concessions we are still living with.
The Aftermath Inside Our Union
The 2005 contract didn’t just hurt our classrooms — it hurt our union. It created bitterness, hard feelings, and deep divisions. Veterans who fought against it felt betrayed. Newer members grew up in a union where lowered expectations became the norm. And when schools closed, whole chapters were broken apart, scattering members and weakening solidarity at the very point where unity was most needed. That fracture has weakened us for twenty years. The only way to heal it is to fight together — not just to restore what was lost, but to improve on it.
Have There Been Gains Since?
Yes. Through bargaining and pressure, the union has fought to win back pieces of what was lost — modest changes to transfer rules, small adjustments to the workday. But these steps have been partial and incomplete. Two decades later, we are still far from the protections and respect teachers had before 2005.
What We Need Now
New Action’s platform is clear:
- Restore the time that was stolen from teachers and students.
- Rebuild seniority rights and fair transfer protections.
- Win back strong, enforceable grievance rights with broader scope — giving teachers real tools to fight back against abusive administrators.
The Path Forward
Contracts are not just pieces of paper. They reflect the balance of power between management and labor. In 2005, we lost ground. Since then, we’ve clawed back only pieces. In 2025, we must demand more — and win it back fully.
As we start this school year, let’s be clear with ourselves and each other: twenty years is too long to wait. It’s time to take back what was stolen, heal the divisions of the past, and fight forward together. If we get organized, there is no ceiling on what we can achieve. The sky is the limit when educators stand together with clarity and determination. Together, through our chapters, we can build the power to win back our profession. Join New Action in this work — to rectify these outstanding problems and to build a stronger, more democratic union that can finally deliver the schools our students and educators deserve.
New Action - UFT 