UFT's Weingarten Taps Mulgrew As Her Point Person
By DAVID SIMS
United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, following her election as president of the American Federation of Teachers, has issued an internal memo shaking up the local union in anticipation of splitting her time in between New York and Washington. The most significant promotion is that of Michael Mulgrew to chief operating officer, essentially second-in-command or "point person" to Ms. Weingarten at the UFT.

MICHAEL MULGREW: UFT responsibilities grow.

"Michael and I will be in daily contact regarding the day-to-day business of the UFT and he will act on my behalf if necessary," Ms. Weingarten wrote in the memo. She said this and other changes would "ensure the UFT doesn't miss a beat when I am engaged in AFT activities."

Staten Island resident Mr. Mulgrew, a Teacher since 1990, became a vice president of the union in 2005 and was also elected a vice president of the AFT at the same convention where Ms. Weingarten was elected president. After some high-profile jobs at the union, including revamping the Safety Department and spearheading the Keep the Promise Budget Campaign, he is seen by many as a likely successor to Ms. Weingarten at the UFT.