New York Teachers’ Unions Face Internal Rift Over Progressive Activism

Since 2023 the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have intensified social-justice campaigns. The shift began with the 2012 formation of the Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE), its 2014 partnership with Rev. Al Sharpton, and ties to DSA. MORE mixes workplace issues—including “better air conditioning”—with equity initiatives, sparking debate over unions’ purpose.

City Journal

Melinda Person (elected 2023) and Michael Mulgrew (re-elected 2025). 2012 — MORE founded; 2014 — UFT backs Sharpton rally; 2018 — *Janus v. AFSCME*; 2023 — Person assumes NYSUT leadership; 2025 — UFT election.

City Journal

After *Janus*, NYSUT’s dues-paying members fell 2 % while the teacher and paraprofessional workforce grew 6.7 %. Enhancing pensions is projected to cost taxpayers $100 billion over three decades. Union dues are auto-deduced from wages and tax-deductible, a mechanism workers may overlook.

City Journal

NYSUT says social justice is central to its mission and that child poverty and hunger fall within its responsibilities. It also opposes school-choice, backs taxes for school funding, and campaigns against anti-DEI policies.

City Journal

Teachers view the focus as a diversion from contract advocacy, while union leadership frames social-justice work as integral. A teacher said the union failed to back his disciplinary action. Former UFT member Karen Feldman left because the union began representing goals beyond teaching. Another teacher noted students joke the union representative never appears in the building. Chip Rogers warned workers are unaware that a portion of their wages funds union politics. MORE declined comment, leaving a gap. MORE and the DSA co-sponsored anti-Israel protests and distributed resources from Rethinking Schools, while the Neville Roy Singham-backed People’s Forum has been linked to the caucus.

City Journal

Union officials claim social-justice initiatives are integral to the union’s mission, while teachers argue the focus detracts from collective-bargaining and classroom support. The MORE caucus has not responded to requests for comment, leaving a gap in clarification.

City Journal

• “social justice is not separate from union work—it’s at the heart of it.” — NYSUT

City Journal

• “state-level issues that directly impact our members, their students, and the public school communities they serve. Issues like child poverty and hunger are squarely within that mission.” — NYSUT

City Journal

• “I was a proud UFT member for many years, until the UFT started to represent something different,” — Karen Feldman

City Journal

• “Sometimes, [workers] don’t even realize their money is being taken away” — Chip Rogers

City Journal

The narrow 2025 UFT election highlighted internal divisions, and membership decline could pressure union leadership to recalibrate priorities. AFFT may intensify outreach, while unions face decisions about political influence without eroding core labor support.

City Journal