Zohran Mamdani sues to block $10,000 NYC teacher bonuses he backed

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has filed a lawsuit to stop a law passed by the New York City Council granting one-time $10,000 bonuses to low-paid school aides, known as paraprofessionals. The move marks a surprising break with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which endorsed Mamdani in last year’s mayoral election and had his support for the bonuses during the campaign. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the City Council unanimously passed the legislation in late July, covering around 25,000 school aides whose salaries start at $32,000. Mamdani allowed the bill to become a law without veto but sued days later, arguing the bonuses would cost the city $325 million and violate collective bargaining rules.