UFT scores big as school spending rises
There is one clear winner as school spending costs rise each year: the United Federation of Teachers.
No group in the city has amassed more political clout than the teachers union, which has scored a new contract for its members, helped block charter schools from expanding, pushed for the renewal of mayoral control of city schools, and ensured the city education budget continues to soar.
The union, which represents 200,000 city teachers, staff and retirees, has poured $359,450 into city political campaigns since 2009 while splurging more than a quarter-million dollars per year on lobbyists to influence the city budget.
Each fall, thousands of UFT members knock on doors and call voters on behalf of favored candidates.
The UFT backed Mayor de Blasio’s campaign and was an early beneficiary of de Blasio’s good will, earning a nine-year, $5.5 billion contract a mere four months into his term. The contract included a 4.5 percent raise that went into effect on May 1 — higher than the current rate of inflation.
A UFT spokeswoman said the school spending levels were necessary to recruit and keep qualified staff in challenging jobs.
“New York City teachers are paid less than their colleagues in the suburbs, often have larger classes, and work with children with the highest needs,” said the spokeswoman, Alison Gendar.