Low salaries for New York City public schools’ paraprofessionals have led to thousands of vacancies, unserved students and personal financial crises, UFT members said at a March 9 City Council hearing on legislation for an annual $10,000 paraprofessional RESPECT check.

The diligent advocacy of the UFT and OT/PT members has resulted in the city Department of Education finally implementing a long-delayed policy allowing occupational and physical therapists to work a voluntary ninth session for additional pay.

After a five-year fight for recognition as a bargaining unit, the UFT's newest chapter, the Division of School Facilities Supervisors Chapter, is negotiating its 1st contract with the city Department of Education.

The Trump administration continued its efforts to dismantle the U.S. Education Department by announcing an agreement on March 19 to transfer most of the responsibilities of managing the federal student loan portfolio to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Regarding a deal the Women’s National Basketball Players Association said demonstrated the power of its union, WNBA players unanimously approved a new seven-year WNBA collective bargaining agreement that was ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors on March 24. The contract begins this season and runs through 2032.

More than 1 million federal workers may lose their collective bargaining rights after the Trump administration canceled their contracts at the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and the Department of Energy in February and March.