Dozens of NYC teachers put on unpaid leave for allegedly providing fake vaccination cards; teachers' union vows lawsuit

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, dozens of school teachers in New York City have been accused of providing fake vaccination cards in order to prove compliance with New York City's vaccine mandate, and those teachers will not be returning to the classroom after spring break is over. The union representing the teachers, however, is vowing a lawsuit if the mayor doesn't change his mind.

According to WCBS-TV, the New York City Department of Education identified "fewer than 100" teachers who allegedly submitted fake vaccination cards to the department to demonstrate compliance with former mayor Bill de Blasio's vaccine mandate in the city. The department did not explain how it determined that these vaccine cards were fake, but did say that the teachers would be immediately placed on unpaid leave and were subject to termination.

"I'm really disappointed to learn there were fake vaccination cards. Not only is it illegal, it undermines our entire trust," said Adams. The department further added that law enforcement is investigating these individuals, leading to the possibility of criminal charges.

However, the United Federation of Teachers issued a statement promising to fight back, saying that the punishment is based on "unproven allegations" and that the city's actions are "a clear violation of the basic notion of due process." The union threatened a prompt lawsuit if the city did not immediately change its stance.

Michael Kane, a former teacher who was dismissed for failure to comply with the city's vaccine mandate, criticized the city's actions and the apparent hypocrisy of allowing NBA star Kyrie Irving to receive an exemption from the mandate, but not school teachers. "We now have Eric Adams saying if you're a high paying performer or athlete, you don't have to abide by this rule, but if you're part of the working class, you do. What we have now is not public health. We have class warfare," Kane said.

Approximately 1,400 New York City workers were fired in February for refusing to comply with the vaccine mandate, most of which were Department of Education employees.