UFT Teacher Salary Schedule, New Contract & Differential 2023 Information

If you are a teacher in New York City, you may be wondering how much you will earn in 2023 and what changes are coming to your contract and differential. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Department of Education (DOE) have agreed on a new contract that will be effective from September 14, 2023 to September 13, 2025. This contract includes salary increases, retroactive pay, new salary schedules, and other benefits for UFT members. In this article, we will explain the main features of the new contract and how they affect your salary and differential.

Salary Increases

The new contract provides for a total of 7.5% salary increase over the course of two years. The salary increase will be distributed as follows:

• 2% increase on September 14, 2023
• 2.5% increase on May 14, 2024
• 3% increase on May 14, 2025

These increases will apply to all UFT members, including teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, therapists, lab specialists, and others. The salary increases will also be retroactive to February 14, 2020, meaning that UFT members will receive back pay for the period from February 14, 2020 to September 13, 2023. The retroactive pay will be paid in five installments starting from October 31, 2023 and ending on October 31, 2025.

New Salary Schedules

The new contract also introduces new salary schedules for teachers and other UFT members. The new salary schedules reflect the salary increases and the changes in the differential rates. The new salary schedules are available on the UFT website.

The new salary schedules have some important features that you should be aware of:

• The number of salary steps has been reduced from 22 to 15 for teachers and from 20 to 15 for other UFT members. This means that you will reach the maximum salary faster than before.
• The salary differentials have been increased by $1,000 for each level of education. For example, if you have a master’s degree plus 30 credits, you will receive an additional $10,000 per year instead of $9,000 as before.
• The longevity increases have been increased by $500 for each milestone. For example, if you have 10 years of service, you will receive an additional $2,500 per year instead of $2,000 as before.
• The per-session hourly rate has been increased from $50.11 to $51.13. This applies to any work that you do outside of your regular hours, such as after-school programs, summer school, or professional development.

Other Benefits

The new contract also includes other benefits for UFT members, such as:

• A one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 for all UFT members who were active on June 30, 2023. This payment is in recognition of the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made by UFT members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A new health insurance plan that will offer lower premiums and copays for UFT members and their dependents. The new plan will be effective from January 1, 2024 and will be administered by EmblemHealth.
• A new pension option that will allow UFT members who are eligible for retirement to retire with full benefits at age 55 with at least 25 years of service. This option will be available for a limited time from September 14, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
• A new professional development fund will provide $25 million per year for UFT members to pursue advanced degrees or certifications in high-needs areas such as special education, bilingual education, STEM, or literacy. The fund will also cover the cost of tuition and fees for up to six credits per semester at any CUNY college or university.

Conclusion

The new contract between the UFT and the DOE is a historic achievement that will improve the working conditions and compensation of UFT members. The contract reflects the value and respect that UFT members deserve for their dedication and professionalism. The contract also supports the educational goals and needs of the students and families of New York City.

If you are a UFT member, you should review the details of the new contract and how it affects your salary and differential. You can find more information on the UFT website or contact your chapter leader or district representative if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the new contract and the salary schedule:

• Q: How can I find out my new salary and differential?
• A: You can use the salary calculator on the UFT website to estimate your new salary and differential based on your education level, years of service, and longevity. You can also check the new salary schedules on the UFT website to see the exact amounts for each salary step and differential level.
• Q: When will I receive my retroactive pay?
• A: You will receive your retroactive pay in five installments starting on October 31, 2023, and ending on October 31, 20251. The retroactive pay will be based on the difference between your old salary and your new salary for the period from February 14, 2020, to September 13, 2023. The retroactive pay will be subject to taxes and deductions.
• Q: How can I apply for the new pension option?
• A: You can apply for the new pension option if you are eligible for retirement and you meet the following criteria:
  • You must be at least 55 years old by June 30, 2024
  • You have at least 25 years of service by June 30, 2024
  • You file your retirement application with TRS or BERS between September 14, 2023 and June 30, 2024
  • You retire no later than August 31, 2024

You can find more information on how to apply for the new pension option on the UFT website or contact your pension consultant.

• Q: How can I access the new health insurance plan?
• A: You can access the new health insurance plan if you are a UFT member or a dependent of a UFT member. The new plan will be effective from January 1, 2024 and will be administered by EmblemHealth. The new plan will offer lower premiums and copays than the current plan. You can find more information on the benefits and costs of the new plan on the UFT website or contact EmblemHealth.
• Q: How can I use the new professional development fund?
• A: You can use the new professional development fund if you are a UFT member who wants to pursue an advanced degree or certification in a high-needs area such as special education, bilingual education, STEM, or literacy. The fund will provide $25 million per year for UFT members to cover the cost of tuition and fees for up to six credits per semester at any CUNY college or university. You can find more information on how to apply for the fund on the UFT website or contact your chapter leader or district representative.