Hundreds of Legal Aid workers picketed outside the organization’s offices in all five boroughs earlier today. The clerical, paralegal and social work staff, members of 1199SEIU, called on the “largest, most influential social justice law firm in New York City” to settle a fair contract. 

“We are out here today fighting for fair wages and a telecommuting policy that makes sense for Legal Aid workers–and our clients,” said Jenny Weekes, a Paralegal Case Handler in the Foreclosure Prevention Unit where she assists small homeowners. “Every day we show up and put the work in for our communities, and now it’s time for management to show up at the negotiating table and agree to a fair contract.”

The dedicated 1199SEIU staff at Legal Aid have been working under an expired contract for over two years. Workers are fighting for a good contract that includes fair wages and a sensible telecommuting policy. The dedicated staff have successfully provided critical legal services to low-income New Yorkers while telecommuting for the last four years. Now management wants to force them back into the office even though productivity remained high during this time.

“I love waking up and knowing I’m making a difference in people’s lives. My coworkers and I sacrifice so that we can afford to work at Legal Aid because we want to be there for the New Yorkers who need us—but we also must pay rent too,” said Arnulfo Hermes, a Paralegal in the Criminal Defense Practice and a member of the union’s negotiating committee. “We proposed continuing a telecommuting policy that has already worked for four years and an equitable wage proposal, but management refuses to listen.”

Hundreds of workers signed a petition demanding fair wages and a flexible telecommuting policy from Legal Aid management in May and hundreds of staff rallied outside Legal Aid offices last month–sending a clear message that they will not back down. Yet, management continues to refuse the Legal Aid’s staff pleas for a fair contract. Union members said they will continue to take to the streets until management puts a realistic contract proposal on the table.