Only Democracy Can Save One of America’s Greatest Unions

by Justin | Nov 18, 2021 | Administration Caucus, One Member One Vote, Queens Public Defenders, Referendum Vote, UAW Corruption Scandal, UAW Local 2325

I’m a member of ALAA Local 2325, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, and I’m a public defender. It’s an unhappy feeling to realize that your money—your union dues deducted every paycheck—had been misappropriated. To create a better UAW, members must directly elect...

County files exceptions to state labor ruling

by Justin | Sep 19, 2021 | Queens Public Defenders

Delaware County has filed exceptions to a proposed Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board order that would nix a new Public Defender’s Office policy restricting outside work for its attorneys and setting higher salaries. According to the findings of fact in the order, the...

Queens Defenders Staff Win Union Election

by Justin | Mar 12, 2021 | Organizing, Queens Public Defenders, UAW Local 2325

QUEENS, NY–After a lengthy battle with Queens Defenders management, including the firing of two beloved employees, the National Labor Relations Board has certified the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 as the representative of...

Queens leaders call on public defender group to rehire pro-union staffers

by Justin | Feb 18, 2021 | Queens Public Defenders, UAW Local 2325

A group of public defenders and social workers seeking to unionize their nonprofit legal organization got a boost from several local elected officials who joined them for a rally Wednesday. Staff from the Queens Defenders, an indigent public defense group, have...

Queens Public Defenders Push to Unionize. Management Calls Them a ‘Mob.’

by Justin | Jan 9, 2021 | Organizing, Queens Public Defenders, UAW Local 2325

Last month, Queens Defenders employees announced their plan to organize under the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA), an affiliate of the United Auto Workers that represents workers at legal nonprofits. Ninety percent of eligible employees signed union...

Queens Defenders won’t recognize staff union, setting up lengthy legal process

by Justin | Dec 24, 2020 | Collective Bargaining, Organizing, Queens Public Defenders, UAW Local 2322

A Kew Gardens-based public defender agency has declined to voluntarily recognize a new staff union, setting the stage for a potentially drawn out legal process overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. A majority of eligible attorneys and social workers at the...