The United Federation of Teachers (UFT), New York City’s largest teachers union, is contesting Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to block a city-backed pay raise for education paraprofessionals, despite having previously endorsed him. Last month, the New York City Council unanimously passed the “RESPECT Check Act,” which would provide a bonus of up to $10,000 for education paraprofessionals. Although Mamdani had previously supported a version of the bill, he has since opposed it, arguing that it violates New York state’s Taylor Law, which protects public employees’ rights to negotiate compensation. His administration subsequently filed a lawsuit on August 19 to prevent the law’s enactment.

In response, the UFT filed a motion to intervene, preparing to take the issue to court if Mamdani continues to challenge the measure. UFT President Michael Mulgrew stated that the RESPECT Check law was carefully drafted to ensure compliance with the Taylor Law and that the City Council would not have introduced or passed the bill if it were illegal. Mulgrew emphasized that the UFT would not support a bill threatening collective bargaining rights and called on Mamdani to fulfill his promises and create a fairer system. Despite the lawsuit, Mamdani mentioned in a recent news conference that discussions with City Council Speaker Julie Menin and the UFT have been productive, and he does not oppose a pay raise for paraprofessionals. Source

This is a summary. Read the original at yahoo.com.