Michael Mulgrew is an American labor leader who has served as president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) since July 2009, representing over 200,000 educators in New York City public schools. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mulgrew began his career as a math teacher in Brooklyn public schools after earning a degree in mathematics. He joined the UFT early in his teaching career, rising through the ranks as a shop steward and eventually becoming vice president for career and technical education high schools in 2005. In 2008, he was appointed the union's chief operating officer before being elected president following the retirement of Randi Weingarten. Under his leadership, the UFT has advocated for educators' rights, negotiated contracts with the New York City Department of Education, and engaged in political activism, including endorsements of Democratic candidates and opposition to charter school expansions led by figures like Eva Moskowitz, with whom Mulgrew has had public adversarial exchanges. Mulgrew's tenure has been marked by efforts to address teacher shortages, improve working conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and push for increased funding for public education. He has been involved in high-profile negotiations, such as the 2014 contract that introduced performance-based pay and extended the school day. Critics have accused him of being too conciliatory with city officials, while supporters praise his pragmatic approach to labor issues. Mulgrew remains a key figure in New York City's labor landscape, influencing education policy and Democratic politics through the UFT's significant resources and membership.