UFT Moves to Defend $10,000 NYC Paraprofessional Raise in Mamdani Lawsuit
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 30
UFT Moves to Defend $10,000 NYC Paraprofessional Raise in Mamdani Lawsuit
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 30
Summary
The United Federation of Teachers filed a motion to intervene in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s lawsuit seeking to block New York City’s RESPECT Check Act, setting up a court fight over paraprofessional pay.
The law, passed unanimously by the City Council on July 16, would provide up to $10,000 in bonus pay for education paraprofessionals, some of whom earn as little as $32,000 a year.
Mamdani’s administration sued on Aug. 19, arguing the measure violates New York’s Taylor Law by intruding on collective bargaining over compensation.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew said the bill was drafted to comply with state law, while the City Council said it will vigorously defend the measure and tied it to staffing shortages and $1.5 billion in Carter case costs.
The dispute pits Mamdani against a union that endorsed him in 2025, even as he says talks with UFT and Council leaders remain productive and that he supports higher paraprofessional pay.