The United Federation of Teachers will testify today in support of the City Council's proposed "RESPECT check" legislation that would provide every New York City paraprofessional an annual $10,000 payment in addition to their regular salary.

"Paraprofessionals are the backbone of our public schools, but we have thousands of vacancies because the salaries are too low," said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers.  "This City Council legislation is necessary if we are going to hire and retain these essential educators. Every day we don't, thousands of students are being denied the education and support they are legally entitled to." 

Respect Check City Council Hearing
Time: 1 pm
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Location: 250 Broadway, Manhattan, 8th floor, Hearing Room 2
Who: Mulgrew, UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro and paraprofessionals to testify

UFT paraprofessionals working for the city Department of Education (DOE) earn from $32,798 to  $54,541.

Mulgrew said New York City's current system of pattern bargaining - where all job titles receive the same percentage wage increase - is unfair to lower-wage workers like paraprofessionals. A 3% increase r a first-year paraprofessional is roughly $900; a 3% increase for the highest-paid DOE school-based administrator, a principal, is roughly $6,500.

The Respect Check legislation (Int 0692-2026) would provide these educators a $10,000 annual payment outside traditional contract negotiations.

Monday's hearing is the next step towards getting the legislation passed.