Ethics Concerns Mount About UFT Election: Executive Board 5/19/2025

There was no open mic, and no President’s Report this week. We opened with a somber moment of silence for former VP of Middle Schools Richard Miller. Then came the usual slate of officer updates. Mary Vaccaro recapped the UFT spring conference (“We Teach the City”). Mike Sill gave the latest on class size: funding delays in Galaxy are stalling hiring, and there are big questions about the 70,000 new seats the SCA claims are needed. Other officers promoted upcoming events like the 5k at Maimonides Park, district celebrations, and the Secretary Soirée.

The legislative update took a sharp turn into electoral politics. Adrienne Adams backed out of the UFT’s mayoral forum with a last-minute "scheduling conflict," and Eric Adams reportedly shut down UFT’s “teach-in” event where mayoral candidates were supposed to spend a day in schools. Members will be surveyed soon ahead of any endorsement decision.

But none of that carried the weight of what came next.

Twelve election complaints were reviewed. Most were small—logos, Facebook spats, and literature disputes. A few got the standard cease and desist. But two complaints were upheld that shook the room.

First: NYCOPSR’s Marianne Pizzitola, a non-member who runs a multimillion dollar special interest group, was found to have interfered in the election on behalf of ABC, allegedly asking for copies of the ballot, directing members when to submit their ballots, and of course campaigning for UFT members to vote for ABC.

Second: ABC is accused of mass-blasting campaign emails to a myriad of UFT members who never asked for them, suggesting suspicious ways that the emails were obtained in the first place. Many emails were apparently disguised in ways that made them look like they came from UFT itself – even after ABC was warned to stop using the domain “UFT Members.” No unsubscribe option. No member consent. This is a textbook example of both a UFT election rules violation and a possible federal law violation. The complaint was upheld. As someone subscribed to email communications from ABC myself without my consent, I remembered the icky feeling (though in my case, luckily was able to unsubscribe).

If you weren’t in the room, I’m not sure words on a blog capture the gravity of it. These weren’t minor squabbles about campaign flyers and UFT hats (some of which ABC launched at other caucuses tonight in the same breath). These are serious, coordinated actions with implications that reach far beyond this election. They call into question the integrity of the process, the protection of member data, and the ethical boundaries of campaign conduct within our union. We’ve seen shady tactics before, but this is a new level—and it should concern every UFT member who believes in a fair, democratic union.

The informal minutes begin.

No open mic or president’s report tonight. The meeting started with the approval of minutes.

Richard Miller, the former VP of Middle schools, was remembered. Mary Vacarro said a few words. A moment of silence was held.

Reports from Officers

Mary Vacarro spoke about Mel Aaronson being honored, a room was named after him at TRS. She also spoke about the spring conference, which reportedly went well. The theme was “we teach the city.” She also mentioned that on May 21 there is going to be a scavenger hunt in central park – for those not doing the 5k.

Mike Sill spoke about the class size updates. 2 weeks from now, additional money for schools. Hiring issues have been happening in the meantime because of money needed in Galaxy before hires can be made. There’s a process for when there is space limited. SCA says 70,000 seats are needed, which may be a bit high (not sure), but only 33,000 are budgeted for. Everything should be done before start granting “exceptions” to allow class sizes to be larger.

Janella Hinds: Friday, June 6, secretary soiree.

Rich Mantell: May 31 is the date for the 5k, Maimonides Park. Last Thursday was the first middle school awards ceremony.

Reports from Districts

Elizabeth Espert: Hiring fair in D4. 400 applicants, 22 schools. D6 secretary celebration.

Charles DiBenedetto: Two events at the Brooklyn office – one for secretaries, one for TRS.

Rashad Brown: UFT players busy, “everybody needs a friend.” Math workshop coming. Aids walk, had over 20 members show up, reached half of the goal - please donate.

Daniel Rodriguez: AFT Latino Caucus Treasurer. There is a spring soiree. Judy Torres is performing. At the Bronx office, Victoria Lee is giving a pension workshop in person. Donate to the scholarship fund.

Seung Lee: Tuesday, May 12, the Asian American Association of CSA and UFT Asian Heritage Committee had a scholarship event.

Legislative Report: Mayoral forum, 6/7 participants came. Received word that A. Adams was not going to be there after all due to a ‘scheduling conflict.’ Nothing to add…Monday before, E. Adams said not allowed to use schools for the UFT campaign event, so two candidates scheduled weren’t allowed to go. Will be sending a questionnaire to membership for feedback regarding mayoral forum.

Special order of business: Election complaints – have 12.

1. NYCOPSR and leader Marianne Pizzitola interfering in election. Numerous complaints of her interference on behalf of ABC, e.g. asking for ballot, to hold onto ballots until she said what to do. Interference goes beyond this. Significant, and also a lot of media decrying Unity. Review that it is a 501C5 organization, which is a critical question as to whether it is an employer, and we can publicly infer that she has received money from others. Law clear is on prohibitions. Blanket prohibition to show that interference.. Totality of circumstances, recommend that complaint about interference be upheld and that ABC stop receiving money and to refund cash contributions to ABC and candidates.

2. Unsolicited emails from ABC, often without an option to unsubscribe, many coming from the “UFT members domain,” appearance of being sent by UFT, but actually UFT emails. Wide range, including non-UFT members appear to be getting emails. Appears that they must have purchased email lists of suspected teachers from third party vendors. This violates the 2025 UFT election guide, which states that election emails should not be sent to individuals who have not requested such literature. No ability to unsubscribe probably violates federal law. Upheld – cease and desist. Furthermore, UFT members had caused confusion amongst recipients. ABC had been advised about this previously, so upheld, ABC again being asked to cease and desist. UFT counsel advised to explore all possible options.

3. Amy Arundel alleged that Unity mailing was a misuse of resources, but the UFT election guide provided the option to anyone. Dismissed.

4. Alicea complained that a Unity member had a UFT branded hat, a violation of the election guide, upheld, member should remove offending post.

5. A member complained that a CL was hesitant to allow ARISE members to put literature in boxes, but was speaking on her own, so that complaint is dismissed.

6. Member complained of a UFT logo on flyer, but was not accurate. Dismissed.

7. A member complained that an ARISE retired member misrepresented himself as a UFT staff member and caused a scene, but this was inaccurate. Dismissed.

8. An unidentified UFT staff member was claimed to be distributing campaign literature, but since they couldn’t be identified, the complaint is dismissed.

9. After distributing ARISE literature, the person distributing allegedly received calls to her classroom from unidentified teachers from one of the schools at which she was distributing telling her she was ‘not welcome.’ Because proof is lacking here, must dismiss, but given severity of allegation, CLs at schools where the call might have come from to be reminded that all caucuses can distribute literature.

10. Misuse of UFT logo was alleged in a campaign material, but just the letters UFT were used, so the complaint was dismissed.

11. Another complainant saw the UFT logo on a Unity campaign flyer, and this time it was the logo, so it was upheld. Cease and desist sent to Unity.

12. A UFT member who was allegedly doxed by Marianne Pizzitola complained but it was found to be beyond the purview of the process. Dismissed and advised to report to Facebook.

Questions:

L. Highland: first complaint, how would monitor?

L. Barr: wouldn’t know, but recommendation from the body, other complaints can be investigated, recommendation on what needs to be done, they can choose how to respond.

R. Brown: Does that include donations from retirees?

Answer not heard.

Motion carries.

Meeting adjourned.