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Federal visa pause affects K–12 schools
School districts that rely on international exchange programs to hire teachers to address shortages in some subject areas largely opt for J–1 cultural exchange visas. Such districts are feeling the impact of the Trump administration's pause on such visa interviews.
Meatpackers win contract with pensions
A new contract between the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and one of the world’s largest meat companies establishes a pension plan — the first new defined-benefit retirement fund in the industry since 1986.
Gearing up for a long fight
The federal threats to collective bargaining, Social Security, health care and education funding loomed large at the 53rd annual New York State United Teachers Representative Assembly in Rochester in early May.
May Day! May Day!
The New York City Labor Council, AFL-CIO, organizes a rally every May 1 to mark International Workers’ Day. But the size of this year’s event dwarfed those in years past as more than 15,000 union members, including hundreds of UFT members, marched from Foley Square to Bowling Green in lower Manhattan to denounce the Trump administration’s attacks on worker, immigrant and union rights.
UFT sits out mayoral primary
At the June 11 Delegate Assembly, UFT President Michael Mulgrew indicated that the union was leaning toward not making an endorsement in the Democratic primary for mayor.
“There is no clear consensus among the membership,” he said. “It’s one of the most polarizing races we have ever seen inside the union.”
May DA resolutions
At the May Delegate Assembly, delegates passed a resolution opposing election interference and another endorsing City Council candidates in the June 24 Democratic primary.