Some members of the New York City United Federation of Teachers say the union’s endorsement process is undemocratic. Its leaders disagree.
A group of New York City educators is pushing back against their union’s 2020 endorsement process, calling it undemocratic while looking for alternative ways to make their candidate preference known. Union leaders, on the other hand, contend that these teachers are the ones trying to undermine a democratic process.
The UFT has not yet taken steps to make an endorsement in the 2020 presidential race, with its leaders saying they fear their backing could tip the scales for other local teacher unions. In previous scenarios for local elections, an endorsement has gone through several committees and leadership groups before getting approved by a body of elected delegates.