OVER 1,000 UAW WORKERS AT THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY COULD STRIKE AS SOON AS JULY 18TH
***PRESS ADVISORY***
Former Legal Aid Society Attorneys United member, now New York State Attorney General Letitia James expresses support for these essential UAW workers.
(NEW YORK, NY) - Monday night, Legal Aid Society Attorneys United, representing nearly 1,100 attorneys who work at the Legal Aid Society, and the largest chapter within of Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA - UAW Local 2325) notified their employer they are terminating their collective bargaining agreement. These UAW members can go out on strike as early as July 18th if an agreement is not reached.
Earlier in June, Legal Aid Society Attorneys United members took a strike authorization vote for the first time in 30 years. Over 99% of members participated in this historic vote, with 91% voting yes.
"Legal Aid attorneys are on the front lines of the fight for justice, defending and championing the rights of our most vulnerable New Yorkers," said Attorney General Letitia James. "As they work to protect their clients' wellbeing, they too deserve dignity, fair pay, and conditions that reflect the value of their tireless service. I am proud to stand with these workers as they fight for a contract that honors their sacrifice and unwavering commitment to justice."
Eight other chapters of ALAA - UAW Local 2325, representing 800 legal services and advocacy workers in NYC, also authorized strikes as contracts expired last week. Common demands across the sector focus on lifting wages and guaranteeing workload protections that ensure working class New Yorkers get the best, most experienced advocates and that these union members can afford to stay in jobs they love. Negotiations with these employers continue, and members are prepared to strike to win better conditions for themselves and for their clients if their demands are not met. These members are workers at Goddard Riverside Law Project, NYLAG, Urban Justice Center, Center for Appellate Litigation, Appellate Advocates, Office of the Appellate Defender, CAMBA, and Bronx Defenders.
“Our members are fighting for the working conditions and wages that are necessary for them to continue the essential work of representing New Yorkers and ensuring they get justice in our city’s courts,” said Lisa Ohta, President of the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (UAW Local 2325). “Our clients are in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and we need to make sure we can deliver critical protections to the working class. Fair contracts will let us do just that.”
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Press Contact:
Jane Fox
C: 943.243.7589
E: jfox@alaa.org
Leah W. Duncan
C: 347.990.0472
lduncan@alaa.org