United Federation of Teachers/Flickr
State Assembly Member Jonathan Bing (D-UES, E. Midtown) may face a primary challenge this fall from Gregg Lundahl, a high school government teacher from Manhattan’s East Side. The potential challenge is the result of Bing’s recent introduction of a bill that would give principals the power to choose–on the basis of “merit” instead of seniority–which teachers would be terminated in the event of layoffs. The provisions of the bill were supported by Chancellor Joel Klein and the city’s Department of Education.
The United Federation of Teachers has actively fought the legislature’s attempts to alter the seniority rules. In April the presidents of the UFT and the New York State AFL-CIO wrote to labor leaders across the state asking them to withhold all financial and political support from Bing and Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., who co-sponsored the bill.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew asserted “We want our members to understand that we protect everyone. This is nothing but an attempt to split younger members from older ones, and parents from teachers.”
The UFT has yet to formally endorse Lundahl, but has made nothing but supportive comments about him. In addition to his teaching duties, Lundahl has been an active union member for years.
The Democratic nominee will face Republican Paul Niehaus, a Manhattan attorney in this fall’s election.
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