Workers at Catholic Migration Services, a non-profit run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, were swiftly recognized as a union by CMS Management, and will soon head into negotiations to bargain a first contract. The thirty workers, including attorneys, counselors, administrative staff, organizers, and paralegals provide free legal assistance to low-income communities in Brooklyn and Queens in housing, immigration, and employment practices.

The following motion was overwhelmingly passed by the ALAA/UAW 2325 Joint Council on October 20, 2020:

1. WHEREAS, The Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW 2325 proudly embraces the labor movement’s core values of solidarity, and collectively fights for a just society where all workers are treated fairly and all people are respected; where no-one is held in a cage; where families can thrive together; and where no one is denied their right to housing; and

Friday, our 224 members at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) ratified a 2-year contract with 86% of members voting and 98% voting YES. The contract includes salary increases, a ratification bonus, retro pay, just cause protection and grievance procedure, frozen health insurance contributions for the first year, greatly improved leaves, job security, health and safety protections, and a contractually-enshrined committee to address race, diversity, equity and inclusion issues.

The recently formed Attorneys’ Union, a new chapter of ALAA, comprised of staff attorneys at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is requesting voluntary recognition from Executive Director Warren Scharf to form a union. The attorneys provide free legal services to tenants facing eviction in Manhattan. They are excited to join together with other unionized Lenox Hill staff who are represented by 1199 SEIU and DC 37.

In light of COVID-19, we are urging the Governor and Chief Judge to suspend the clauses of Judiciary Law §478(2) and §478(3), that disqualify law graduates from practicing under supervision if they have failed to pass the bar exam twice. Updating the practice order will allow these young advocates to continue protecting their clients during the current pandemic.

As legal services workers and as members of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW 2325, the Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW 2320, 1199SEIU, and the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW 2320, we are witness to a historic crisis that is disproportionately affecting the most disadvantaged members of our society, many of whom are our clients. As the staff of the city’s civil legal services providers, most of us represent tenants in Housing Court through the City’s landmark Right to Counsel program. We are fighting side by side with the Right to Counsel NYC Coalition (RTC), Housing Justice for All (HJ4A), and neighborhood-based tenant rights organizations throughout New York City to ensure that our clients are not forced from their homes by this crisis.

We are very pleased to tell you that your voices were heard and Admin Staff have officially been granted hazard pay and personal protective equipment ("PPE")! This is a HUGE win for Admin staff, who cannot thank you all enough for your support. Because of your efforts to support our cause, management agreed to provide:

We fight for thousands of children and families as they navigate the complicated labyrinth of the foster care system which is rife with racial and socio-economic bias, and we are the voice of children as young as seven that are involved in the traumatizing and often dehumanizing juvenile enforcement system. In New York City, approximately 60% of the children in the foster care system are black, and nearly 34% are Latino. Similar racial over-representation exists for the children, who are as young as seven, that have been accused of delinquent acts. These children are overwhelmingly from indigent and low-income families. Due to these factors, the children and families we represent are some of the most marginalized New Yorkers, with limited political power and visibility.

We are disappointed by Mayor DeBlasio’s plan to completely eliminate the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) this upcoming summer. This is a vital program for thousands of young New Yorkers whom our members serve every day. It is bad policy to disenfranchise 75,000 young people that want to work, without consulting with work placement sites to find solutions. The City must fund SYEP and work with advocates and placement sites to ensure young people can participate in the program safely.

The bail reforms passed at the end of last session went a long way to correct these injustices, and the reforms are among the most significant civil rights victories in New York’s history. It is shameful and offensive that our elected officials are trying to roll back these reforms during a global pandemic.

Manhattan, NY — Staff members at Safe Passage Project (“SPP”) announced their intent to join the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 on Monday, March 16, 2020. The staff at SPP supports immigrant youth throughout New York State in fighting their deportation. Staff members are calling on SPP to immediately recognize their union after an overwhelming majority signed cards in support. On Monday afternoon, a broad cross-section of employees across roles—legal, social work, and administrative staff—announced their intent to unionize.

See full testimony here.