Second public defender union calls off strike

The union that represents Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem called off their strike after reaching a temporary agreement. Screenshot via Neighborhood Defender Services Union/Instagram

By Noah Powelson

After a week of striking, attorneys and support staff in Manhattan returned to work on Tuesday, signaling the legal aid labor struggle that has boiled over in the past two weeks may be winding down.

Unionized staff at Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem, who employ about 140 attorneys and other staff in the city, ended their strike after management and the union came to an agreement on Monday.

The agreement comes after a tense week of bargaining between management and the union.

The Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 union, which represents NDS staff, shared details of the temporary agreement with members on Tuesday. NDS also employs staff in Detroit and Texas, who were also on strike the past week.

“This contract was won by every single member who stood strong in the face of adversity, by every member who said they deserve better,” the union said in an announcement over social media. “Managment showed their true colors, but we showed them what true power looks like.”

Full details of the temporary agreement aren’t currently public, but the deal reportedly includes pay raises for all staff, a three percent cost of living adjustment and an expanded mental health reimbursement fund.

“With a tentative agreement reached, we are excited to welcome members of the Union back to our New York, Detroit, and Texas offices to resume normal operations,” a NDS spokesperson said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to our staff and supervisors for their enduring commitment to our mission, and we are ready to move forward together, fully focused on delivering the high-quality, holistic representation our clients count on every day.”

The strike lasted around two weeks, with both the union and NDS leadership blaming one another for the tense and, at times, stalled negotiations.

On July 29, the union accused NDS’ management of illegally offering a $500 daily bonus to striking union members to return to work.

In response, the union has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing management of attempting to illegally disrupt and prolong the strike.

The union also alleged NDS management changed its sick leave policy without consulting the union, requiring all employees to provide a doctor’s note to get sick days approved.

The union claims both actions violated federal labor law and the terms of their original labor contract, which expired on June 30.

The unfair labor charges remain on the books and will be investigated in the coming months.

This was the first time NDS staff had gone on strike in the nonprofit’s history.

They were joined by attorneys at Bronx Defenders, who are also backed by ALAA and had their labor contract expire at the same time.

Attorneys Brooklyn Defender Services, which represents indigent clients in Queens and Brooklyn, also went on strike in July before making a temporary agreement with their management.

With the strike called off, NDS staff will review the details and ultimately vote whether to ratify the agreement into a new labor contract.

A union spokesperson said they will likely hold a ratification vote by the end of the week.

Brooklyn Defender Services will likewise be holding a ratification vote soon, according to the union representative.

Around 300 attorneys and legal staff at Bronx Defenders remained on strike as of reporting time.

Their most recent bargaining session was held on Tuesday morning.