Amy Arundell for UFT President: A New Era for the UFT, Its Members, and the People They Serve
UFT’s Amy Arundell and the Member-Led “A Better Contract” Slate Aim to Break a Decades Long Stranglehold on the Union’s Power. Earthquake shakes up UFT leadership.
Amy Arundell: “We need a union that works for UFT members and the families we serve—especially our children—not for political expediency.”
New York, NY — Experienced union organizer and UFT official, Amy Arundell, is making history as the first-ever UFT presidential candidate to break from entrenched leadership that has failed UFT members and their communities for decades. She joins A Better Contract in the upcoming UFT officer elections to challenge the 60-year rule of the Unity Caucus and its worst iteration under the current leadership team.
The UFT Tsunami: First Time in History Union Insiders and Rank-and-File Members Unite for Change
Arundell’s decision to run isn’t just about entering a race—it’s a wave of change. For decades, no one from the top tiers of UFT leadership has broken away to challenge the establishment. Her candidacy directly indicts the failures at the top, especially over the last 15 years. It serves as a rallying cry for every union member who feels unheard and undervalued.
“This has never happened before,” Arundell said. “For decades, UFT leadership has been a closed circle, moving from one transactional deal to another while ignoring the values of the union members who keep our schools and system running every day. That ends now. I know how the system works because I was inside it, and I’m telling you—it’s failing us and our students. We need leaders guided by union values who will fight like hell to see those values reflected in our system, rather than manage its decline.”
A Better Contract—a slate of UFT members from a variety of titles currently working in schools and worksites across New York City—inspired Amy Arundell to join their fight for real union leadership. Through tireless organizing (petitioning to protect healthcare, surveying members and sharing the results, leading meetings that amplify unheard voices, and demanding a union that is transparent, responsive, and member-led), A Better Contract has sparked a people-powered labor movement.
The First Real Challenge to the UFT Establishment
“Amy Arundell is doing what no one before her has dared—taking on the machine from the inside. Seeing her do this inspired me to step up too because I want to be part of a union that truly listens and engages with its members,” said A Better Contract Vice-Presidential candidate and current UFT chapter leader Leah Lin. “This isn’t just about replacing the current leadership–it's about making real change. ABC is committed to ensuring members’ voices are heard and ending top down decisions that have overlooked educators and the communities we support– for far too long.”
For years, public service workers have seen wages stagnate while the cost of living soars. The reigning Unity Caucus has stood by as Tier 6 trapped younger educators in a broken pension system, forcing them to work longer for less. Healthcare has been chipped away through backroom deals in 2014 and 2018, trading benefits for “cost savings” and lackluster raises. Instead of fighting for real improvements, union leadership has played politics. A Better Contract is here to change that.
“We believe union power comes from members—not politicians,” Arundell says. “When we organize, take action, and stand in solidarity as part of a labor movement, we win.”
A Better Contract, A Stronger Union
Arundell brings years of experience as a Bronx middle school teacher, Teacher Center Specialist, Delegate, Chapter Leader, Special Representative, Director of Personnel and Special Projects, and Queens Borough Representative. She has seen firsthand how the UFT operates—and how, despite its hardworking, committed staff, it fails its members. For 20 years, she fought to create change from within, facing immense pressure to “play by the rules.” Now, she’s honored to join a slate of educators, chapter leaders, delegates, and union activists committed to reforming and transforming the UFT and the educational system from the ground up.
Recently, members of A Better Contract have worked alongside Fix Para Pay leaders to fight for real raises for our most underpaid UFT members. Our slate also includes retiree activists who worked with other city retirees and workers to halt the Medicare Advantage privatization scheme.
With over 100 candidates and thousands of UFT members supporting this movement, A Better Contract is a slate of leaders ready to take transformative action on day one, tackle challenges head-on, and make a tangible difference in the lives of members and those they serve.
“For the first time, UFT members have a real alternative,” Arundell said. “We commit to ending backroom deals. UFT members and their communities won’t have to settle for excuses anymore. This is our moment to restore true union values, put power back in the hands of members, and demand the respect we deserve. A Better Contract isn’t just about better negotiations—it’s about reclaiming our collective strength to protect public education and the vital services we provide to the people of New York City. The time for change is now.”
Join Amy and ABC-UFT tomorrow, Feb 11 at 7 PM, for ABC’s UFT Member Assembly and meet our candidates for officer and executive board positions.
For more information on A Better Contract and how to get involved: abettercontract.org
A Better Contract’s Platform can be found here - tinyurl.com/abcplatform
Make a donation to the ABC election campaign.
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