Legal Services Workers Strike for Better Funding and Support in NYC

Legal Advocates Rally for Better Support in New York City

NEW YORK—In a significant demonstration of unity, members of the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys—UAW Local 2325 (ALAA)—gathered on Tuesday to voice their demands for enhanced funding, staffing, and backing necessary for serving low-income communities in New York.

The event saw approximately 400 workers form a picket line, with notable personalities such as mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani participating, highlighting his connection with the UAW, which had endorsed him in December. The rally also had the support of State Attorney General Leticia James, NYC Council Labor Chair Carmen De La Rosa, Council Member Justin Brannan, and State Assembly Member Claire Valdez, among others.

"ALAA members are striking for the resources they need to represent working class New Yorkers in our city's courts," stated UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla. "We cannot sustain the high levels of attrition, burnout, and turnover in our workplaces. This is a fight for justice for poor and working-class people all over New York City."

Mancilla emphasized the need for mayoral action to utilize the city's reportedly substantial reserves, saying, "We need the mayor to step up and utilize these record reserves that they've been bragging about to ensure that we actually 'Trump-proof' the city by keeping legal advocates and attorneys in their jobs."

Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani, also present, remarked, "ALAA members are the people that keep New Yorkers in their homes. They are the people that keep families together. And it is incumbent upon every single one of us to stand with them so that they can continue to afford to do this work."

He further questioned, "Why are we struggling to attract new applications? Why are we struggling to retain the existing workforce? Because this is not work that is paying people enough to stay in this city."

Every day, ALAA members extend free legal services to tenants facing eviction, immigrants threatened with deportation, families involved in child welfare cases, survivors of domestic abuse, the homeless, and individuals seeking essential services like healthcare and disability benefits.

"What individuals need now more than ever is someone on their side. And that is a legal aid attorney," Attorney General Leticia James voiced at the assembly. "Someone who will defend the rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Someone who will go against corporate landlords. Someone who will stand up; someone who will not be afraid."

Reflecting on her own experiences, James added, "As a former legal aid attorney who can relate to ALAA members, I recognize that this city must pay them more so that they can pay their bills. I stand with ALAA in solidarity as they fight for decency and respect."

For many years, these legal service workers have been underfunded and are now actively seeking equitable wages and sufficient resources to combat burnout and high turnover. These issues have a direct effect on the quality of service their clients receive. The overarching demands include salary increases and work condition protections to ensure that working-class New Yorkers have access to knowledgeable advocates and that union members can sustain the work they love.

"I'm so proud of how much we've already achieved. But our fight is not over," UAW Local 2325 President Lisa Ohta stated. "The city needs to invest in our communities now more than ever. We need housing advocates, immigration defense advocates, and public defenders to 'Trump-proof' our city."

Ohta concluded, "This means funding our work so that we can stay in jobs we love and continue serving our communities."

Amid rising living costs and lagging city funding for legal services, these advocates are taking a stand to ensure that all New Yorkers, particularly those in working-class communities affected by adverse federal policies, have genuine access to justice.