New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is fighting the City Council to block $10,000 bonuses for paraprofessionals, also known as teachers’ aides, drawing backlash from some political leaders in the city. It’s the latest showdown between Mamdani and the New York City Council since his election last year. Mamdani has been popular among younger progressive voters in the city, but not all council members have been on board with his agenda, and he has clashed with the council on some issues, including taxes and public safety.
The City Council has unanimously passed legislation that would give $10,000 bonuses to paraprofessionals working in public schools, as many elected officials believe they are underpaid. According to the United Federation of Teachers, paraprofessionals in New York City currently have a starting pay of $32,098 and a top pay of $54,541, though the exact amount depends on their specific role. New York is among the most expensive places to live in the United States, so advocates have been pushing for better pay for paraprofessionals.
For instance, a studio apartment costs an average of $3,495 per month, according to Zillow. A report from SmartAsset found that single adults need to make $124,342 to live comfortably in New York state. Mamdani, however, is suing the City Council over the law, a spokesperson for the mayor, Matt Rauschenbach, said this week.
Newsweek reached out to Mamdani for comment via email. Mamdani’s opposition to the law centers on his concerns around collective bargaining, according to a statement from Rauschenbach. Mamdani is a democratic socialist who often aligns himself with organized labor unions.
He also made affordability issues a cornerstone of his campaign in 2025. It’s a fundamental pillar of a fair economy,” the statement reads. The City Council has “passed legislation that undermines collective bargaining and sets a dangerous precedent: allowing politicians to bypass workers and their unions and dictate the terms of employment themselves,” the statement continues.
"The City is filing a lawsuit to protect the right of every union to negotiate on behalf of its members, to fight for the workplace they deserve and ensure that workers–not politicians–determine their own futures.” Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, pushed back on Mamdani’s reasoning in a statement to Newsweek on Thursday. This administration must keep its promises, and we won’t stop until it does,” he wrote. He said the law was “carefully drafted” to ensure it does not violate New York’s collective bargaining laws.
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