He took on his first formal union role in 1962 when, during a UFT walkout, his chapter leader recruited him to help organize picket sites. Tiger quickly rose through the UFT's ranks, winning election as the union's District 2 representative in Manhattan, and, for three decades, helping to shape the union's policies on a range of educational and political issues. In his UFT position, Tiger also worked to win legislative approval for numerous reforms that would help teachers and their students meet higher standards. Tiger is a graduate of CCNY, and earned his master's degree from City University. He and his wife, Melinda, have four grown children - all graduates of the State University of New York.
Tiger is in the process of moving from New York City to the Albany area.