ALAA Joint Council Resolution in Support of The Bronx Defenders Union (BxD Union) Workers
WHEREAS, over two hundred and sixty workers at The Bronx Defenders (BxD) are preparing for an unlimited unfair labor practice strike to start July 22, 2024,
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2024, with 93% membership participation, 93% of the wall-to-wall BxD Union voted to authorize a strike if necessary, making it the first of the alternate providers formed after 1994 to authorize a strike in 30 years since The Legal Aid Society went on strike under Mayor Giuliani,
WHEREAS, BxD executive management is currently offering the lowest salaries and worst benefits of any public defenders’ office in New York City, thereby forcing BxD workers to do the same work for less pay than other ALAA union members,
WHEREAS, the BxD Union has experienced 60% attrition of the collective bargaining unit in the past two years and are currently fighting for sustainable working conditions to address high attrition, including by fighting to protect hard won existing benefits such as paid sabbatical and a flexible telework policy,
WHEREAS, the BxD Union has consistently advocated for a one-year contract so that BxD union members may join in 2025 sectoral bargaining alongside ALAA members at The Legal Aid Society, New York Legal Assistance Group, Queens Defenders, Appellate Advocates, Center for Appellate Litigation, CAMBA, Office of Appellate Defender, and Riseboro, as well as UAW Local 2320 chapters, Urban Justice Center and Goddard Riverside Law Project,
WHEREAS, the BxD Union supports the Catholic Migration Services Union and the 1199 Legal Support Staff at The Legal Aid Society in its organizing efforts to similarly negotiate a one-year contract to join in sectoral bargaining,
WHEREAS, sectoral bargaining is a strategy that will help ALAA make bigger gains for all ALAA workers and the communities we defend by wielding our collective power as unionized legal service providers in New York City,
WHEREAS, the gains won by BxD Union workers will directly impact bargaining at other legal services shops,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that:
ALAA members will continue walking the BxD Union picket line, including by honoring work to rule in Bronx criminal, family, and housing courts as well as New York City and Elizabeth deportation courts,
ALAA members will advocate within their organizations to refuse to take struck cases or work,
ALAA members will report to the BxD Strike Coordination Committee any ethical violations committed by BxD Management in court during the unlimited strike,
ALAA will continue responding to BxD Union requests for material support through its democratic procedures, and
ALAA commends the resolve of the BxD Union workers in their fight for themselves, the communities they defend, and the entire legal services sector.