A New York State Supreme Court justice on Sept. 11 granted the UFT’s motion to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to eliminate teachers’ due-process rights. The union will now officially serve as a defendant and can play an active role in combatting the allegations made in the case.

Justice Philip Minardo on Sept. 11 also approved the rest of State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s suggestion to consolidate the two cases: Davids v. New York, which was filed on Staten Island in early July by the New York City Parents Union, and Wright v. New York, which was filed a few weeks later in Albany by a group spearheaded by former CNN anchor Campbell Brown.

The consolidation occurred despite infighting between the two plaintiffs. At a press conference outside the courthouse, Mona Davids, the head of the New York City Parents Union, accused Brown of trying to marginalize her group and take control of the case.

“We will not be bullied,” she said as she passed out $100 bills with Brown’s scowling visage. “Campbell Brown is trying to reform her image and make herself relevant on the backs of black and Hispanic children.”

Both lawsuits were inspired by the Vergara case in California, which overturned teacher tenure. The judge ruled that tenure laws violate students’ civil rights under the California state constitution. He issued a stay pending an appeal.

At the Staten Island hearing, the UFT successfully argued that, although the city and state education departments are the defendants in the lawsuits, the union’s 100,000 members employed in public schools would be affected by the outcome.

The union was also happy that the two cases were now going to be fought in a Staten Island courthouse.

“We want all the cases consolidated in New York City,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew prior to the court’s approval. “We want that fight here. We have one of the strongest tenure laws in the country. I am proud of our rigor. Tenure is not bestowed. Teachers earn it.”

Charles Moerdler, a partner at the law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, which is representing the UFT, said the union will seek to have the case dismissed on legal grounds. The union has until Oct. 14 to make the motion.