Metro

Teachers’ union spot bashes Bloomberg over ‘Last In/First Out’ criticism

It’s personal!

The teachers’ union launched a million-dollar TV ad blitz yesterday attacking Mayor Bloomberg for pushing to repeal the “Last In/First Out” state law that requires teachers be laid off based on seniority rather than merit during a budget crisis.

The 30-second spot argues that Bloomberg should support extending a state-tax surcharge on the wealthy to prevent teacher layoffs altogether. The narrator says that Bloomberg “talks more about who will get laid off, than trying to stop teacher layoffs altogether.“

And rubbing road salt in the wound, the ad refers to the infamous December blizzard that crippled the city because the government was unprepared. The spot said that kids’ future is “bigger than any snow storm.”

“Instead of making his number one priority to attack teachers, the mayor should join our effort to extend the millionaire’s tax,” said United Federation of Teachers president Mike Mulgrew.

The income tax surcharge hits individuals who make more than $200,000 and families making about $250,000.

Last week, a pro-Bloomberg education advocacy group launched its own multi-million dollar media campaign urging the state Legislature to end Last In/First Out.

“While the UFT fights for its self-interest, the Mayor will continue to fight for our children’s future,” said a mayoral spokesman.