Mayor Mamdani Sues NYC Council to Block $10,000 Teacher Aide Bonuses

The lawsuit, filed in state court, challenges the Paraprofessional Pay Bill, which the City Council passed with support from the United Federation of Teachers. Mayor Mamdani, who backed the measure during his campaign, now argues it violates the Taylor Law, the state statute governing collective bargaining for public employees.

Mayoral spokesperson Matt Rauschenbach said in a statement that the legislation undermines the bargaining process and sets a dangerous precedent by letting politicians dictate employment terms. The lawsuit warns that if the bill stands, other public employees will seek similar payments from the Council, bypassing unions and the mayor's Office of Labor Relations.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council member Carmen de la Rosa, who introduced the bill, countered that it was drafted to comply with the Taylor Law. In a joint statement, they called the bonus 'the right thing to do' and 'fiscally responsible,' arguing it would help retain paraprofessionals and protect the city from lawsuits over inadequate care for students with special needs.

The one-time $10,000 payment is intended to address chronic undercompensation for teacher aides, a point on which both sides agree. The UFT and Council said they are prepared for a legal fight, emphasizing the importance of the bonus for the paraprofessionals who keep schools running.