New York City's powerful teachers union is funding a Staten Island legal battle to block the MTA's congestion pricing plan, The Post has learned.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fosella, who along with the union is a plaintiff in Brooklyn, said “the United Teachers Union is leading the Brooklyn federal court case'' and is sending lawyers. It said it will cover all costs associated with the lawsuit. suit.
“I give [UFT President] A lot of credit to Mike Mulgrew for having the courage to take that step,” Fossella said Friday night. “He said this would hurt members, especially new teachers who are the lowest paid and have little say in where they are placed.”
The union did not say how much it expects the lawsuit to cost.
The lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that teachers, firefighters, emergency workers and other essential public workers will be “forced to bear the burden of the MTA's latest fundraising initiative.”
Mulgrew called Fossella “out of the blue” a few months ago and asked if Staten Island was seriously considering a legal challenge, the Republican borough president recalled.
“He asked if we could do it together. They would want to take the lead on the legal side. And I said, 'Great, I'd love to.'” The more the merrier,” Fossella said.
“We have been working very quietly in recent months to build a strong case.”
The legal team is led by Alan M. Klinger, a partner at Steptoe LLP and a leading local labor attorney, and includes other attorneys from the New York-based law firm. Mr. Klinger's longtime clients include the UFT, the Uniform Sanitation Union, and other city labor unions.
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The lawsuit asks the court to halt implementation of a plan expected to begin as early as May that would charge drivers $15 a day to use Manhattan streets and roads south of 60th Street. I am asking you to do so.
They also argue that the plan, which was greenlit through a “rushed” federal review process, would cause more pollution in Staten Island and the Bronx by forcing drivers to bypass congestion zones.
In addition to UFT, Fossella and Mulgrew, the lawsuit names seven other teachers who say their lives will be harmed by congestion pricing, including four teachers from Staten Island who attend Manhattan. and one teacher from New Jersey.
Staten Island Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli told the Post that the UFT is joining as a plaintiff despite its long history of supporting left-wing politicians such as Gov. Cathy Hochul. He said he intended to do so. Congestion pricing.
“I'm willing to partner with anyone who shares the same goal, which in this case is to end congestion pricing on that route,” Malliotakis said.
Fossella said other city unions also plan to file legal briefs in support of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit is at least the fourth court challenge filed in recent months, including a federal lawsuit filed in July by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, which challenges the federal government's decision to assess how pricing impacts gardens. They claim that they did not conduct proper consideration. state driver.
Mr. Fossella initially intended to include the city of Staten Island in Mr. Murphy's suit, but after speaking with New Jersey attorney Randy Mastro, he realized that their claims to block toll collections were too similar to his borough's claims. He said he changed his mind after learning that it was different.
In a statement, Mulgrew defended the union's decision to lead the lawsuit, saying, “Congestion pricing is a common good that will improve New York City's air quality, reduce New York City's traffic congestion, and raise funds for public transportation.” It was sold as… but it's not.” The plan they delivered.
“Only one borough will see improvements in air quality and congestion, and that's Manhattan. For people in other boroughs, particularly in the South Bronx and Staten Island, pollution and congestion will get even worse. is the plan that was delivered. This is a flawed plan and that is why we have asked the court to intervene,” he added.
Transportation officials expect the tolls will raise $1 billion a year, which will go towards a $15 billion bond that will pay for major upgrades to the MTA's subway, commuter rail and bus systems.
MTA spokesman John McCarthy insisted the review process was fair and that the controversial tax would “combat worsening road congestion.”
“We will fully fund public transit systems that deliver safer, less congested roads, cleaner air, and better access for the vast majority of students and teachers who use public transit to get to school. “There has to be,” he added.
