New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing opposition from the city's largest teachers union after his administration filed a lawsuit seeking to block a City Council measure that would provide bonuses of up to $10,000 for education paraprofessionals, as reported by Fox News.

The dispute places Mamdani at odds with the United Federation of Teachers, which endorsed him after he secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in July 2025.

Last month, the New York City Council unanimously approved the RESPECT Check Act, legislation designed to provide bonuses of up to $10,000 to education paraprofessionals. The measure was passed unanimously on July 16.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Mamdani had previously supported a version of the legislation but later opposed the measure, arguing that it conflicts with New York state's Taylor Law, which governs collective bargaining for public employees and protects their ability to negotiate compensation and other workplace issues.

On Aug. 19, Mamdani's administration filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the law from taking effect.

The UFT responded by filing a motion to intervene last week, positioning the union for a court fight if the mayor continues his effort to block the measure.

“We knew this lawsuit was a possibility, and we were prepared,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said in a statement.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

“The RESPECT check law, which was unanimously passed by City Council on July 16, was carefully drafted to make sure that it did not violate the state’s Taylor Law, which governs collective bargaining.”

Mulgrew added, “The City Council would not have introduced — let alone passed — this bill if it were illegal, and we would not have supported a bill that threatened our collective bargaining rights. This moment is an opportunity for Mayor Mamdani to create a new, fairer system and build the kind of city he said he wanted to lead. This administration must keep its promises, and we won’t stop until it does.”

The dispute centers on a group of school employees who assist teachers and work with students, including some of the city's highest-need students.

City Council leaders have argued that the legislation addresses both compensation concerns and staffing shortages.

In a joint statement responding to Mamdani's lawsuit, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council member Carmen De La Rosa defended the measure.

“Every member of the Council, in a unanimous and bipartisan vote, supported the RESPECT Check Act because it is unacceptable that paraprofessionals who support some of our highest-need students are earning as little as $32,000 a year. This law is not only the right thing to do, it is also the fiscally responsible thing to do, helping address the staffing shortages that contribute to the City’s $1.5 billion in Carter case costs. The Council will vigorously defend the law,” the statement read.

Mamdani has maintained that his administration does not oppose increasing paraprofessional pay despite filing the lawsuit against the legislation.

Speaking at a news conference last week, Mamdani said discussions between his administration, Menin and the UFT had been "productive."

“The relationship [with Menin] continues as it’s been, and the talks [with the UFT] have been productive,” Mamdani said.

“They’ve been productive because we have a shared understanding of the critical role that paraprofessionals play in our [public school system] and in our city.”

The lawsuit nevertheless leaves Mamdani in a difficult political dispute with a union that previously backed his campaign. The UFT is now preparing to challenge the mayor's administration in court over legislation that passed the City Council without a single opposing vote.

The case will determine whether the RESPECT Check Act can move forward as written or whether the city's legal challenge will succeed.

For now, the mayor and one of his former political allies appear headed toward a courtroom battle over how New York City should deliver additional compensation to education paraprofessionals.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.