We, the undersigned, call on the United Federation of Teachers to endorse Bernie Sanders for President as soon as possible.

Please sign with your name and the school & boro you teach in.

Bernie is the most pro-labor candidate for president by a major party. He promises to be an Organizer-in-Chief, supporting the growth of unions and ending "right-to-work" laws that impede workers’ rights to form unions.

Bernie's Thurgood Marshall Plan for education is designed by and for teachers to support all students from pre-K to college and trade schools. He will significantly increase federal funding for the IDEA, including providing at least 50 percent of the funding for students with disabilities. Bernie has been a supporter of teachers and students. He opposed ‘No Child Left Behind’ because it involves too much teaching to the test, and he recognizes that such tests humiliate English Language Learners.

His message resonates with teachers and other workers. Two of the most common contributors to the Sanders campaign are teachers and Amazon workers.

Bernie's strong support among independent voters and non-voters means he is best positioned to beat Trump in key Midwestern swing states.

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The New York State Democratic primary is fast approaching, and given the state of the race, will likely matter significantly, considering the 224 pledged delegates.The potential weight of the UFT is significant, especially if it endorses soon.

Bloomberg is emerging as a major competitor, which we need to prevent. UFT members know from 12 years of experience of his mayoralty how destructive a Bloomberg presidency would be for public education and our most vulnerable students.