On Tuesday, hundreds gathered in Foley Square to support striking workers, including attorneys representing low-income tenants in housing court, with notable local politicians like Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, in attendance.
The rally was held as part of an initiative launched by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys, UAW Local 2325 (ALAA), which began sectoral bargaining efforts for workers across legal aid organizations in New York City earlier this year.
In July 2023, the ALAA passed a resolution to synchronize the contract expiration dates of the workers they represent to June 30, 2023, with the belief that they could secure more ambitious demands through collective strength.
This strategy led to the commencement of a strike at the Urban Justice Center and the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) on Tuesday. The Goddard Riverside Law Project, which began its strike the previous Wednesday, joined them, alongside other legal organizations planning strikes in solidarity.
The rally in Foley Square demonstrated not only support for the workers’ demands but also highlighted the potential disruption a strike could cause within the court system, particularly affecting low-income tenants in housing court who face eviction or need assistance with necessary building repairs.
Brandon Mancilla, director of UAW Region 9A, emphasized the broader implications of the strike. “It’s not just about how much our members make. It’s not just about their caseloads. It’s about justice for all New Yorkers who deserve high-quality representation,” he stated. “The shorter the strike, the sooner our members can get back to do the work, but it’s on the organization to ensure that that continues while we have our fight.”
If contract agreements are not reached, the situation could escalate to the most significant labor conflict in New York City’s courts since 1994, when over 1,100 ALAA attorneys from the Legal Aid Society went on strike, leading to a harsh response from then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani cut off funding to the striking lawyers, significantly impacting the work of the Legal Aid Society.
Historically, since that strike, the ALAA has worked to incorporate unaffiliated organizations into its union, such as the Bronx Defenders, which faces its own strike deadline this Friday.
The current political climate, however, is notably different, reinforced by Mamdani’s recent victory in the Democratic mayoral primary.
During the rally, Attorney General Letitia James recounted her experiences from the 1994 strike before Mamdani addressed the crowd.
Mamdani highlighted the importance of union action amidst current political challenges, proclaiming, “We are facing a president who is seeking to attack the very fabric of this city. In a moment like that, we have to use every single tool at our disposal to protect this city, to protect its people.”
He continued, asserting the vital role these workers play, stating, “You are the people who keep New Yorkers in their homes. You are the people who keep families together.”
The striking workers have outlined shared demands, including higher wages, reduced workloads, and transparent disciplinary processes. However, there are also specific demands unique to each organization.
The Urban Justice Center, for instance, features a structure dependent on individual projects, leading to disparate pay scales for workers performing similar roles. ALAA members are demanding equitable compensation across these projects and a say in any future project separations.
Frustration surrounding compensation has been a notable point of contention for Urban Justice Center staff, as many begin their careers making approximately $48,000 annually, significantly below the living wage identified by an MIT study for New York City. In contrast, executive director Doug Lasdon earned nearly $300,000 in the 2024 fiscal year.
Although the union revised their wage floor proposal to just above $62,000, management has not budged above $50,000.
During a recent conversation with union members, Lasdon claimed that only a few employees earned below $55,000, and he was “pretty sure that’s a living wage,” a statement that was documented and shared by City Limits.
Kristin Jamberdino, a spokesperson for the Urban Justice Center, defended their compensation packages, noting that salaries often include bonuses and benefits. She also mentioned that they had offered annual raises of over 10 percent to many workers, as they strive to find a solution that meets staff needs, funding obligations, and the requirements of their clients.
However, workers have expressed frustration with the slow progress towards a contract, citing limited bargaining opportunities. They noted that they didn’t receive counterproposals to their economic demands until June 6.
Amanda Katapang, a staff attorney at the Urban Justice Center, provided insight into how the strike may ultimately assist her ability to support her clients more effectively, voicing that, “With the strike, clients know that I will be able to show up for them better after, because they also see the effects of understaffing. They see the effects of not being able to just take their calls whenever they call me.”
Similarly, at NYLAG, management has made some concessions toward meeting workers’ demands, agreeing to allocate an additional $3.1 million to ensure that everyone reaches a base salary of $70,000 by the end of the contract. While this represents progress, the union is advocating for more substantial immediate wage increases and cost-of-living adjustments, warning that NYLAG’s current proposal may ultimately diminish their spending power during the contract period.
Caseloads are another urgent matter for ALAA members, who want management to standardize workloads across the organization and implement a grievance process to address concerns about excessive workloads.
Free speech has emerged as a contentious issue in negotiations, particularly after workers voiced opinions regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. Workers allege that NYLAG has disciplined them for displaying pro-Palestine posters and claim that free speech protections should be included in the contract. NYLAG has resisted this demand, asserting that their stance aims to maintain a safe workplace for all employees, as many of their funders support Israel’s current actions.
Despite these challenges, NYLAG employees maintain that the urgency of their clients—who face issues from evictions to deportations—remains their top priority.
In preparation for the strike, workers have prioritized communication with clients, preparing them for potential disruptions, and providing management with detailed memos on ongoing cases.
Maya Leggatt, an attorney in NYLAG’s Tenants’ Rights division, expressed her concerns about balancing her commitment to her clients while trusting supervisors to manage their needs in her absence.
“I’m so attached to my clients. I know their cases so well. And I want the best outcome for them,” she explained. “It’s very hard to let go and let that happen.”
Leggatt anticipated the challenges that could arise during the strike, stating, “It’s probably going to be a shit show.”
Conversely, NYLAG argued that the decision to strike puts the workers’ commitment to their clients at risk, emphasizing their responsibility to serve New Yorkers—many of whom are vulnerable and facing significant legal challenges.
Sara Rodriguez, a spokesperson for NYLAG, outlined their perspective, saying, “No one knows the urgency of our clients’ needs better than our staff, and instead of walking away from New Yorkers in nearly every community whose basic rights are routinely under siege, we hope the Union will remain at the table and continue to bargain with us.”
As the city grapples with federal funding cuts, intensified immigration enforcement, and a rising number of daily evictions, the pressures on legal aid services continue to mount.
However, the ALAA is optimistic about the potential for quick resolution due to the unified stance of the attorneys, the support from rallied community members, and the involvement of local elected officials.
Leah Duncan, the ALAA treasurer and a former grant writer at NYLAG, shared her hope, noting, “Morale is very high, and members are pretty fired up. They see management making movement, but they see that that means management is scared. Management knows the power is with us.”
image source from：citylimits
