STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a measure that would provide teacher aides with $10,000 checks, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the move violates labor laws, according to reports.
The bill requires the Department of Education to provide a workforce stabilization payment — totaling up to $10,000 — to each eligible school paraprofessional for work performed during the 2026-2027 school year. Paraprofessionals have a starting salary of $32,500.
The legislation passed with 49 votes. Council Members Darlene Mealy and Vickie Paladino weren’t present, according to City & State New York.
“Paraprofessionals show up every day for NYC’s most vulnerable kids, and it’s time NYC showed up for them,” Council Speaker Julie Menin said in a statement on X. “The Council just voted to approve a $10K workforce stabilization payment to help retain each of these vital workers.”
City Council Speaker Julie Menin met with cultural and community leaders at the Staten Island Museum to discuss borough priorities in this Feb. 26 photo. (Advance/SILive.com|Nicolette Cavallaro)
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the boost in pay outside of collective bargaining was in “direct violation” of labor law, the Daily News reported.
In a statement, Mamdani said his administration is “reviewing the final language carefully and working to determine the appropriate next steps.”
If he were to veto the bill, there would be enough votes on the council to override it, according to the outlet.