"Charles Cogen (October 31, 1903 \u2013 February 18, 1998) was president of New York City's United Federation of Teachers (UFT) (1960\u20131964) and subsequently, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) (1964\u20131968). During Cogen's tenure the teachers' union demonstrated a militancy that had not previously been apparent, and was at odds with the image of the teacher as quiet civil servant. That strikes were technically illegal under the state's Condon-Wadlin Act did not deter Cogen from leading citywide walkouts that resulted in significant economic and professional advances for those he represented. To those who argued that striking teachers set a poor example for students, Cogen responded that such teachers were models of courageous citizenship. Similarly, Cogen scoffed at efforts to characterize "@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Charles Cogen"@en . . . "Charles Cogen (October 31, 1903 \u2013 February 18, 1998) was president of New York City's United Federation of Teachers (UFT) (1960\u20131964) and subsequently, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) (1964\u20131968). During Cogen's tenure the teachers' union demonstrated a militancy that had not previously been apparent, and was at odds with the image of the teacher as quiet civil servant. That strikes were technically illegal under the state's Condon-Wadlin Act did not deter Cogen from leading citywide walkouts that resulted in significant economic and professional advances for those he represented. To those who argued that striking teachers set a poor example for students, Cogen responded that such teachers were models of courageous citizenship. Similarly, Cogen scoffed at efforts to characterize teacher walkouts as subverting the public interest: \"Who is to say what the public interest is?\" There had never been a teacher strike in New York City prior to 1960 (although Cogen threatened one in 1959 when he was leader of the Teachers' Guild) During the four years that Cogen was president of the UFT, teachers struck twice and came within 24 hours of a third. Each such crisis involved confrontations with New York City's superintendent of schools and the city's mayor. Occasionally, the state's commissioner of education and governor were also involved. These were people with national profiles, and consequently, Cogen also became a national figure. This proved to be of substantial assistance to him when he ran for the presidency of the AFT."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "1007719614"^^ . . . . . . "14375"^^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "35138700"^^ .