New York, NY —

The city's teachers union president is stepping down after over 10 years in the post. Randi Weingarten is leaving the United Federation of Teachers to focus on her role as president of the national union, the American Federation of Teachers, a post she took last July and has held simultaneously.

The UFT represents 200,000 of the city's active and retired members. Last week, Weingarten reached a labor deal with Mayor Bloomberg that offers fewer benefits to newly hired teachers and allows current teachers to start after Labor Day. Principals opposed that part of the deal, saying it would interfere with their preparations for the school year.

The UFT's executive board will select someone to fill out the remainder of Weingarten's term until elections are held in the spring of 2010.