Minneapolis educators approved a new contract nearly three weeks after going on strike for higher wages, smaller class sizes, protections for educators of color and mental health support.

A coalition of parents and teachers at PS 28 in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx, drawing on the expertise of UFT organizer Betty Zohar, formed in December to prod the police and local officials to clean up the school's entrance, where drug users would gather to smoke crack.

The UFT connected its members with their state representatives in online meetings from March 7-11 to champion the union’s proven programs — including the United Community Schools initiative, the UFT Teacher Center and the Positive Learning Collaborative — during a week of advocacy for city public schools. UFT members sounded the alarm about students, educators and school communities still recovering from the pandemic.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the Delegate Assembly on March 23 that while members should not let down their guard regarding COVID-19 protocols, the situation continues to improve.

New York State United Teachers’ Representative Assembly in Albany on April 1-2 was a celebration in more ways than one. The delegates commemorated 50 years of working together to elevate educators and healthcare professionals, and they reveled in being together in person for the first time since 2019.

The state budget deal reached on April 7 provides a 4% increase in state aid for New York City schools, the first-ever modification of Tier 6 to enhance benefits, and financial support for several of the UFT’s proven education initiatives.