NEW YORK CITY
25,000 teachers take on City Hall
By G. Dunkel
An estimated 25,000 people attended a rally called by the
United Federation of Teachers in front of New York's City Hall
on May 17.
The UFT is demanding a 24-percent pay increase over two
years. That would bring New York City teachers up to the level
of surrounding suburban districts. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is
offering only 5 percent. And he wants merit pay tied to student
performance, longer hours during the school year and less
vacation.
The union contract expired in November. There has been no
real progress in the more than 12 negotiating sessions with the
city. Under New York state law, the UFT does not have the right
to strike.
The mood of the rally, which drew over 25 percent of the
union's membership, was militant and angry. Thousands wore
black T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Shame on City
Hall."
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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