Mayor Michael Bloomberg has accused the New York City teachers’ union of diverting attention from the issues over a remark he made comparing it to groups like the National Rifle Association.

The mayor said Monday that the United Federation of Teachers was “trying to create a sideshow so people don’t focus on the fact that they’re walking away from the negotiating table.”

Bloomberg was talking about stalled negotiations with the UFT on a new teacher evaluation plan when he made the NRA remark last week.

He asserted that most city teachers don’t agree with their union. He said the NRA was another place where the membership doesn’t agree with its leadership.
The city and the teachers’ union have until Jan. 17 to reach agreement on a teacher evaluation system.

(AP)