NYC teachers union challenges mayor's lawsuit to block paraprofessional bonus law

New York City Council members unanimously approved the RESPECT Check Act, a measure that would provide education paraprofessionals with bonuses of up to $10,000. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, previously backed by the United Federation of Teachers, later asserted the bill conflicts with New York’s Taylor Law and filed a lawsuit on Aug. 19 to block its enactment. In retaliation, the UFT submitted a motion to intervene, signaling its intent to contest the suit in court.

President Michael Mulgrew maintained that the legislation was drafted to respect collective-bargaining rights and that the council would not have passed an illegal bill. Council leaders Julie Menin and Carmen De La Rosa highlighted the law’s role in addressing low paraprofessional salaries and staffing shortages. Mamdani told reporters that talks with the council and the union remain productive and that he does not oppose a pay raise for paraprofessionals.