UFT seeks a say in Mamdani’s bid to block paraprofessional pay raise

The United Federation of Teachers, NYC’s major teachers union, filed a motion to intervene as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration sues to block the city-backed RESPECT Check Act, which would provide paraprofessionals with a pay raise (up to $10,000). Mamdani argues the bill could violate the Taylor Law and has filed suit, while the UFT contends the law was crafted to avoid violations and will defend it in court. The City Council unanimously passed the measure, and Mamdani says talks with the council and the UFT remain productive and he does not oppose a raise. The UFT had endorsed Mamdani for mayor in 2025.