Legal Aid Society's unionized lawyers are in negotiations following the expiration of their contract, with a potential strike looming. The union, representing 1,100 attorneys, seeks better pay and manageable workloads due to a rising cost of living and increasing case loads. While progress has been noted on non-economic demands, key issues of wages and retirement benefits remain unresolved. Negotiations have been ongoing since March. If a strike occurs, it could severely affect criminal defense work in New York City. The union is determined to reach an agreement during continued negotiations.
The union is calling for better pay and lighter workloads amid a rising cost of living, staff departures that leave more cases to remaining attorneys, and a hesitancy from New York City's government to meet the level of support requested by Legal Aid.
Negotiations on Monday continued up to the midnight deadline, according to Fox. Progress has been made on non-economic demands and some benefits but wages and retirement still remain.
If Legal Aid's chapter of the union, Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys-UAW 2325, triggers a strike, its 1,100 will walk out, a move that could grind much of the city's criminal defense work to a halt.
The union and our members are seriously evaluating whether we will need to set a strike deadline but we continue to negotiate in the hopes of reaching an agreement.
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